Wests Tigers beat Penrith Panthers 20-18 in NRL round 13 clash

IT will go down as one of the most courageous wins in Wests Tigers' 14-year history.

IT will go down as one of the most courageous wins in Wests Tigers' 14-year history.

Somehow at Centrebet Stadium yesterday, a depleted and inexperienced Tigers side conjured up a 20-18 win over the Penrith Panthers.

Here are the facts:

THE Tigers were without 11 players through injury going into the game, with winger Marika Koroibete sustaining a dislocated elbow yesterday;

THE Tigers were running last on the NRL competition table before yesterday's match;

THEY had to travel to Centrebet Stadium and play before a Panthers crowd of 16,827;

THE Tigers were behind 18-4 after 33 minutes;

THEY were playing a Penrith team that had won three successive games; and

IT was the Tigers' seventh successive win over Penrith.

The injury list is long and includes Robbie Farah, Liam Fulton, Chris Lawrence, Tim Moltzen, Blake Ayshford, Lote Tuqiri, Matt Utai and Keith Galloway. The Daily Telegraph estimates Wests Tigers have up to $3 million worth of talent sitting on the sideline.

But yesterday the rookie Tiger cubs grew up. Five players who played yesterday had only played a total of 19 NRL matches.

Game details and stats

Down and out when behind by 14 points, Wests Tigers battled their way back into the game.

"It would be one of our gutsiest wins," conceded Tigers skipper Benji Marshall.

"We were under the pump in the first half. At halftime we spoke about running that little bit harder and tackling that little bit harder.

"We had a solid week of training and our captain's run was one of our best.

"It goes to show if you work together, it pays off.

"Not one person stood out, we stood out as a team."

Wests Tigers have had seven players make their NRL debuts this year.

They probably won't make the finals this year but the future seems to look bright at Concord.

Mose Masoe

Yesterday's match couldn't have started any worse for the Tigers.

They didn't have the ball for the opening 10 minutes after dropping it twice on tackle one and once on tackle two.

Penrith scored three tries in the opening 33 minutes and looked ready to pile on the misery for the Tigers.

But right on halftime, Wests Tigers winger David Nofoaluma scored his second try, giving coach Mick Potter reason for hope. Penrith led until the 66th minute when Tigers centre Tim Simona scored one of the best solo tries of the years.

Simona ran 80m and brushed past three defenders to score a breath-taking try.

They then held off the Panthers to post their fourth win of the season. "I thought we did really well," Potter said after the game.

"We didn't see the ball in the first five minutes. I think it was 31 tackles to zero to them.

"Under the circumstances the result was the most important thing. We showed a lot of resilience."

Marshall said his side has never given up hope of playing semi-final football this season.

"We have never really given up hope despite what they say in the papers. We think the opposite," Marshall said.

"We never once thought we couldn't make it.

"It takes a lot of belief.

"We aren't exactly back in the hunt but if we get a few more wins it will get us back in contention."

Penrith coach Ivan Cleary was left to ponder his side's heartbreaking loss.

"We certainly opened the door for them to make a stirring comeback," Cleary said.

"They should be congratulated. They are playing under a fair bit of duress.

"It was a tough game and a close game.

"We hoped they would go away and they didn't.

"Full marks to them. They kept punching and got the result.

"When you leave the door open ... sometimes people come in."

Panthers skipper Kevin Kingston added: "Most of the stuff we produced today was there-abouts. It was five out of 10. That's not acceptable."

Wests Tigers are now 14th and just two points outside the top eight.

WESTS TIGERS 20 (D Nofoaluma 2 A Seumanufagai T Simona tries B Marshall 2 goals) PENRITH 18 (M Masoe D Simmons D Whare tries L Walsh 3 goals) at Centrebet Stadium. Referees: Jared Maxwell, Phil Haines. Crowd: 16,827.