The Wests Tigers set up an entertaining clash with the Brisbane Broncos as they go 2-0 to start the NRLW season after a win over the North Queensland Cowboys.
The win in Townsville was the Tigers first ever NRLW win in Queensland as the addition of Raecene McGregor to their side has given them composure, stability and class.
Despite her presence, it was young gun Faythe Manera who stood up after being given the starting berth at five-eighth for this clash.
Accustomed to playing hooker, she used her ruck abilities to dummy, feign and split the gap to score the first try for the Tigers.
Shenai Lendill would go on report for a hip drop tackle but the Tigers momentum overall did not falter despite neither side able to score more points until deep into the first half.
Those points would go to the Cowboys as English international Fran Goldthorp cut back inside off the wing and was able to twist her body around to ground the ball on the line.
But the Tigers would soon bounce back and it was Manera once again who darted over from dummy half for second try.
Just on the cusp of half-time, the Tigers would score again as powerhouse prop Sarah Togatuki barged over to score to give the Tigers an 18-4 half-time lead.
The Tigers would start the second half the stronger of the two sides as Manera once again pounced from dummy half to score her third try, a hat-trick.
Down but not out, a spilled bomb by Emily Bass eventually led to a Cowboys try to debutant Haylee Hifo after quick hands to the edge.
Goldthorp would grab a late second try for the Cowboys but the icing on the cake came for the Tigers when Shaylee Bent burst through a gap to stroll over to score.
A third and final Cowboys try saw Goldthorp turn provider as she batted the ball down for Margot Vella to score as the Tigers go 2-0 to start the year.
As the Cowboys rue their chances with an 0-2 start to the season, coach Ricky Henry admits a slow start and poor execution cost them.
“We started slow, I thought,” Henry said.
“We hung in there for a while but they scored a few tries late in the first half and it left us chasing the game and I thought that is what hurt us most.”
Tigers coach Craig Sandercock praised his team’s defensive efforts early on as key factor in their eventual win.
“We gave away a lot of ball through our own ill-discipline but we defended our line well early on in the game,” Sandercock said.
The coach also praised Manera’s hat-trick and player of the game performance.
“Yeah, Faythe’s a good player, can play multiple positions. I said to her you could play anywhere. I just like footy players and she’s a good footy player.”
Wests Tigers 30 (Manera 3, Togatuki, Bent; Goals: McGregor 5) def. North Queensland Cowboys 18 (Goldthorp 2, Hifo, Vella; Goals: Manzelmann)
Ricky’s Player of the Game
3. Faythe Manera (WST)
2. Sarah Togatuki (WST)
1. Fran Goldthorp (NQL)
