The last chance salon was looming into view for Wests Tigers as they took on a fifth placed Sydney Roosters, themselves needing a win to maintain their push for the top four and a play-off advantage. The Tigers are currently outside the all important top eight and trailing the Cronulla Sharks by four points with five weeks of regular season action remaining after today’s game.

Both coaches made changes to the line-ups; Twal and Mikaele were back in the Tigers line-up after last weeks close win over the Bulldogs, while the Roosters called on the services of Morris, Lussick, Waerea-Hargreaves and Flanagan to try and get back to winning ways after their loss to the Storm.

The Roosters scored with their first real change of the game when a flying Matt Ikuvalu grounded by the left corner flag after taking a Josh Morris pass. Kyle Flanagan drilled his touchline conversion through the uprights for a 6-0 lead after nine minutes.

The second try came on fifteen as James Tedesco ran riot down the centre, Joseph Manu finding Brett Morris on his wing to score in the corner. Flanagan drifted his kick between the posts for 12-0.

Josh Morris was in two minutes later, to follow his twin brother over, as he completed a sixty-metre team try the Wests defence all over the place as the Roosters marched downfield. Flanagan failed to add the conversion, but the Roosters were scoring at almost a point a minute.

On twenty-five the Roosters were in again with a long pass from Flanagan looping into the hands of Brett Morris to walk in down the right touchline. Flanagan hit the far post with his conversion attempt, the Roosters 20-0 ahead.

Wests had a far better start to the second half. Five minutes after the restart they were on the scoreboard as Jacob Liddle scooted from acting half-back, dipped the shoulder and went in on the angle from ten metres. Moses Mbye added the conversion.

On fifty-three the Tigers added another try as it was all one-way traffic. A great pass from Benji Marshall found full-back Adam Doueihi. Mbye added the goal to reduce the margin to eight points. Momentum had shifted and the Tigers looked like they had hope.

Sydney regained their mojo on sixty-five as Siosiua Taukeiaho found Drew Hutchinson in support inside to go five metres and ground under the sticks. Mbye converted his easiest of the afternoon for 26-12, enough to seal the points for the Roosters.

The points were won on sixty-nine thanks to a superb solo try from Joey Manu who spun out of a tackle and stepped out of two attempted tackles. Flanagan added the conversion for 32-12, the Tigers fightback exciting as it was, was short-lived.

Tedesco knocked back a towering Hutchinson kick back into the hands of Josh Morris who ran outside the Wests defenders to complete his brace. Flanagan kicked brilliantly from the left touchline for 38-12.

Proceedings were completed thanks to a sensational David Nofoaluma try for the Wests as he sustained the tackle of three Roosters defenders to stretch out a hand and score in the corner. Mbye couldn’t add the extras after the final hooter, the Roosters bolstering their claim for the top four with a 38-16 win.

The drinks are now poured in the aforementioned saloon for Wests who sill struggle to make the eight, although it is not mathematically impossible. The Roosters continue their push for the four, going back to fourth place on points difference. A dodgy twenty-minute spell at the start of the second half showed their frailties and they will need to tighten up their full eighty game to have a chance of a Grand Final place to defend their Champions status.

Wests Tigers: Doueihi (T), Nofoaluma (T), Leilua J, Mbye (2G), Talau, Brooks, Marshall, Aloiai, Liddle (T), Packer, Leilua L, Garner, Eisenhuth. Subs: Reynolds, Twal, Mikaele, Taylor.

Sydney Roosters: Tedesco, Ikuvalu (T), Morris J (2T), Manu (T), Morris B (2T), Hutchinson (T), Flanagan (5G), Waerea-Hargreaves, Friend, Taukeiaho, Tupouniua, Butcher, Liu. Subs: Lussick, Faamausili, Fifita, Collins.

Referee: Grant Atkins.

Half-Time: 0-20.

Full-Time: 16-38.

Ground: Leichhardt Oval, Sydney.