3 minute read
Wests Tigers chances of a top eight finish are still alive in the NRL after grinding out a 24-16 victory over North Queensland.
Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire says his side need to keep the momentum going to remain in finals contention after a "scrappy" 24-16 NRL win over North Queensland in Townsville.
Securing back-to-back wins for just the second time this season, the Tigers eked out a vital win and consigned the Cowboys to their ninth straight loss.
"We've got to do it again next week now, we keep the hunt going," Maguire said.
"The boys came up here to get a job done and it ebbed and flowed ... but they got the two points which is good.
"It was very scrappy, but to find a way to win is something that this team needs and to do two weeks in a row is what we've been hunting for and now we've got to turn up and do it again."
Adam Doueihi was instrumental in attack and perfect off the tee, kicking four from four.
He finished with one try assist and five tackle busts, while halves partner Luke Brooks was a calming presence in the final third and had two try assists of his own.
Maguire had high praise for his playmaking pair who controlled the game as the Cowboys mounted a late comeback.
"The tackle that Brooksy made - I know he ended up getting sent off- but they're massive moments. That sort of stuff there is the stuff you need to do," he said.
"I thought tonight was one of his (Doueihi) stronger games, we needed that.
"I have a team here that is very capable ... and if the boys are prepared to really change parts of our game tonight we are definitely in with a show of strong performances."
Second-half tries to Kelma Tuilagi and Tommy Talau backed up a Tigers double in the first half, in a match where the Cowboys failed to execute despite dominating territory.
The home side's fifth tackle options had fans bringing their face masks above their eyes, as they were unable to force a set restart despite 24 tackles within their opposition's 20-metre line.
Late consolation tries to Tom Dearden and Ben Hampton brought a glimmer of hope to the crowd of 12,663, but it was all too late as the Tigers held on to stay within two points of the top eight.
The opening half was an error-strewn display, and it was the Tigers who took a 12-6 lead into the sheds with neither team properly capitalising on deep attacking opportunities.
Handling errors in the final third cost both sides as their errors totalled 15 between them.
The visitors made the most of two penalties awarded in their own half, scoring back-to-back through Stefano Utoikamanu and Ken Maumalo in the seventh and 19th minutes.
A bizarre try to debutant Jeremiah Nanai five minutes before the break brought the Cowboys to within six points heading into the sheds, but that would be their only try until the 73rd minute and the Tigers held on to see out the result.
