Rabbitohs outlast Tigers to keep season alive in Gosford

The Rabbitohs have kept their faint finals hopes alive with a 42-28 win over Wests Tigers as Damien Cook marked his 200th game for the club by kicking seven goals and running for 152 metres.

Taking on the role of goalkicker for the first time since 2016, Cook missed just one shot as he celebrated his milestone game in style in Gosford. 

It took the Rabbitohs just seven minutes to open the scoring through Davvy Moale, who steamrolled Jahream Bula to dot down for his third try of the season.

The Bunnies had a second in the 11th minute when a Taane Milne grubber took a deflection of a Tigers defender and Cody Walker pounced on the bouncing ball to dive over. Cook landed the extras for a 10-0 lead.

Teenage Tigers hooker Tallyn Da Silva then stamped his class on the game with a try assist to set up Lachlan Galvin and a four-pointer of his own as Wests Tigers surged back to take a 12-10 lead.

A rapid fire double to Alex Johnston on the left wing took his career tally to 195 tries and catapulted the Rabbitohs to a 22-12 lead before the Tigers produced a stunning 60-metre effort on the stroke of half-time finished off by Jahream Bula.

A penalty goal to Cook extended Souths' lead to 24-18 early in the second half but Charlie Staines flew into the right corner in the 48th minute to get the Tigers back within two.

Sione Fainu put the Tigers in front with a powerhouse try in the 55th minute but a dropped ball by Luke Laulilii gifted Walker a second try and the Bunnies went back ahead 30-28.

Peter Mamouzelos crossed four minutes later to stretch the margin to eight points and from there the Rabbitohs were able to hang on for their seventh win of the season as Jye Gray got across for his team's seventh try of the afternoon.

The Rabbitohs have now won eight of their past nine clashes against the Tigers and move on to a clash with the Raiders in Round 21 as they look to keep their finals dream alive.

Match Snapshot

• Rabbitohs halfback Cody Walker was placed on report in the 20th minute for Dangerous Contact.
• Rabbitohs centre Richie Kennar left the field in the 21st minute for a HIA. He was deemed Category and did not return.
• Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston has scored 11 tries in his past six games against Wests Tigers.
• Wests Tigers hooker Tallyn Da Silva left the field for a HIA in the 67th minute which he passed.

• Wests Tigers centre Adam Doueihi ran for 158 metres and had five tackle breaks while Charlie Staines ran for 170 metres.
• The two sides missed a total of 79 tackles between them.
• A crowd of 16,284 was on hand in Gosford.
• Rabbitohs back-rower Keaon Koloamatangi came up with 199 metres from 23 runs.
• Wests Tigers halfback Aidan Sezer was sent to the sin bin in the 69th minute for a hip drop tackle on Jye Gray.
• Wests Tigers have conceded 180 points in their past four games.

Play of the Game

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