Party poopers: Tigers crash Pearce’s 300th celebrations with upset win

The Wests Tigers crashed Mitchell Pearce’s milestone game as Michael Maguire’s side emerged from a week of intense scrutiny to record their first win of the season.

Having had his own future called into question, Tigers halfback Luke Brooks was sensational with ball in hand to deny his opposite Pearce a 300th NRL game to remember as the joint venture scrambled to a 24-20 win at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday.

The Tigers celebrate a try from Adam Doueihi during Sunday’s upset NRL win over Newcastle.Credit:Getty

David Nofoaluma scored the match-winner with just seven minutes remaining after Tyson Frizell had benefited from a Brook miss on Tex Hoy to catapult the Knights to the lead for the first time inside the final quarter.

But showing the resilience Maguire had demanded from his side, the Tigers made fill-in winger Gehamat Shibasaki pay for a routine dropped ball, allowing the impressive Daine Laurie to set up Nofoaluma’s sealer.

The Tigers had led for almost an hour on the back of an improved Brooks display and starring role from five-eighth Adam Doueihi, who made a triumphant return to the ground where he broke down last year after a heavy defeat and the personal toll of the Beirut bomb blast.

The result leaves the Panthers and Eels as the only unbeaten teams through the first three rounds.

Newcastle fans commemorate halfback Mitchell Pearce’s 300th NRL game.Credit:Getty

Pearce’s 300th NRL game started better than Brooks’ 150th last week, he at least made it through the banner. But it was the maligned Tigers No.7 who would have slipped up the tunnel a little happier at half-time.

While Brooks’ left side was exposed for the enigmatic Hoy’s first try, Brooks kicked superbly for Doueihi to pluck the ball out of the air for one two first-half tries for the Tigers. It was exactly the play Maguire has been craving from his halves, who have been charged with lifting the joint venture to the finals in the first time in a decade and post Benji Marshall.

Tommy Talau had earlier crashed over for the opener having been preferred to Joey Leilua, who had a field day in the preceding NSW Cup match.

But as always with the Tigers, a door is always left ajar. This time it was Mitch Barnett who crashed through, dragging the Knights to within four points at the break after charging onto a short Jayden Brailey pass.

Brooks and Pearce took their turns after the break, the former laying on a beautiful pass for Stefano Utoikamanu to score his first NRL try before Pearce linked with Connor Watson to score a sentimental try which prompted him to kiss the Knights badge.

All Brooks’ good work with ball in hand was almost undone with one miss in defence as Hoy wrestled past the No.7 and set up Frizell to put Newcastle ahead for the first time 11 minutes from the end.

As always with the Tigers, it’s never boring. After Shibasaki spilled a routine Brooks kick, Nofoaluma scored off the scrum play to re-take the lead. And this time they held it.

WESTS TIGERS 24 (Tommy Talau, Adam Doueihi, Stefano Utoikamanu, David Nofoaluma tries; Doueihi 4 goals) defeated NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS 20 (Tex Hoy, Mitchell Barnett, Mitchell Pearce, Tyson Frizell tries; Hoy 2 goals) at McDonald Jones Stadium. Referee: Gerard Sutton. Crowd: 20,239.

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