Michael Chee-Kam scored a last-minute try to lead Wests Tigers to a 22-16 win over Brisbane Broncos.
With the scores level in the final moments, both halfbacks passed the ball on the last play before Chee-Kam spotted a gap, charged through, stepped Darius Boyd before dragging Broncos defenders over the line for the win.
In the first half, Jack Bird ghosted along Wests’ defensive line before linking with Kotoni Staggs and Jamayne Isaako. The winger kicked back inside for Matt Gillett to open the scoring.
After Isaako kicked a penalty for Brisbane, both centres on the far side of the field bombed tries, Bird couldn’t hang on to Corey Oates’ pass. Then Esan Marsters failed to take in Luke Brooks’ kick.
It was then David Fifita’s turn to go close. A kick through from the forward fell kindly for him to dive on it under the posts but he failed to ground the ball.
Brisbane were punished when, with two minutes to go before the break, Chee-Kam took in Brooks’ kick before offloading close to the line for Luke Garner.
After the break, Oates had a try disallowed for obstruction after Alex Glenn collided with Josh Reynolds in front of Darius Boyd’s brilliant pass.
Marsters, then, levelled up the scores with his boot before Corey Thompson knocked the ball down to Brooks who found Matt Eisenhuth on the inside to give Wests the lead.
A further penalty from Marsters opened up a two-score lead but Nikorima’s brilliance brought the Broncos back into the game and Isaako made the scores level.
Chee-Kam’s magic then won it for the Tigers.
Broncos: Boyd, Oates, Staggs, Bird, Isaako, Milford, Nikorima, Lodge, McCullough, Ofahengaue, Glenn, Gillett, Haas; Interchanges: Fifita, Su’A, Flegler, Carrigan
Tries: Gillett, Nikorima; Goals: Isaako 4
Tigers: Mbye, Fonua, Jennings, Marsters, Thompson, Reynolds, Brooks, Packer, Farah, Twal, Matterson, Garner, Aloiai; Interchanges: Matulino, Mikaele, Eisenhuth, Chee-Kam
Tries: Garner, Eisenhuth, Chee-Kam; Goals: Marsters 5
Full match reports of all this weekend’s NRL games will feature in Monday’s League Express.
