WESTS TIGERS 22 DOLPHINS 36
TOM SMITH, Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Saturday

THE UNDERMANNED Dolphins outlasted the Tigers to stretch their winning streak to seven games.

Without captain and halfback Isaiya Katoa (knee) plus Maroons Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Selwyn Cobbo, Thomas Flegler and Max Plath, the Phins turned to speedsters Herbie Farnworth and Trai Fuller plus veteran playmaker Kodi Nikorima to lead the way.

Wingers Jamayne Isaako and Tevita Naufafu also sizzled.

Fighting to keep in touch with the top eight, despite losing halfback Jock Madden to a first-half head-injury assessment, the Tigers were within two points entering the last 15 minutes.

But Kristian Woolf’s men mounted a late charge to extend their winning run.

After Isaako came within inches of a stunning opener, Jarome Luai’s boot handed Sione Fainu the first points.

Nikorima released Farnworth for the Dolphins’ reply and Starford To’a left five red jumpers in his wake for Wests’ second.

But Connelly Lemuelu – and Isaako’s sideline conversion – put the Phins 12-10 in front at the break.

Naufafu somersaulted into the left corner for the acrobatic highlight of the afternoon.

Fonua Pole came within inches before Fainu eventually scored again off another Luai grubber to keep the Tigers in the contest.

But Fuller slashed through and Nikorima finished a long-range effort to effectively seal the Queenslanders’ win.

Alex Seyfarth and Isaako traded late aerial tries to put the finishing touches on the scoreline.

TIGERS: 1 Jahream Bula, 2 Sunia Turuva, 3 Taylan May, 4 Patrick Herbert, 5 Starford To’a, 6 Jarome Luai, 7 Jock Madden, 8 Terrell May, 9 Api Koroisau, 15 Bunty Afoa, 11 Tony Sukkar, 12 Sione Fainu, 13 Alex Seyfarth. Subs: 10 Fonua Pole, 14 Josese Lanyon, 16 Mavrik Geyer (not used), 17 Charlie Murray (not used), 18 Heamasi Makasini, 20 Heath Mason

Tries: Sione Fainu (8, 53), To’a (31), Seyfarth (76); Goals: Madden 1/1, Mason 2/2, Koroisau 0/1

DOLPHINS: 1 Trai Fuller, 2 Jamayne Isaako, 3 Jack Bostock, 4 Herbie Farnworth, 5 Tevita Naufafu, 6 Kodi Nikorima, 14 Brad Schneider, 8 Felise Kaufusi, 9 Jeremy Marshall-King, 10 Francis Molo, 11 Connelly Lemuelu, 12 Oryn Keeley, 13 Morgan Knowles. Subs: 15 Kurt Donoghoe, 16 Tom Gilbert, 17 Ray Stone, 19 Brian Pouniu (not used), 20 John Fineanganofo (not used), 24 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki

Tries: Farnworth (18), Lemuelu (36), Naufahu (42), Fuller (67), Nikorima (72), Isaako (78); Goals: Isaako 6/6

SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0, 6-6, 10-6, 10-12; 10-18, 16-18, 16-24, 16-30, 22-30, 22-36

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Tigers: Terrell May; Dolphins: Trai Fuller

Penalty count: 4-2; Half-time: 10-12; Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski; Attendance: 12,281