Cowboys hang on to down 12-man Tigers

Murray Taulagi scored a hat-trick as the Cowboys hung on to beat a brave 12-man Wests Tigers outfit 48-30 at Leichhardt Oval on Thursday night.

Despite Papua New Guinea centre Justin Olam being sent off in the 50th minute for a high tackle on North Queensland second-rower Heilum Luki, the Tigers managed to score three tries while a man down but fell short.

The Cowboys led 20-14 when Olam was sent off and piled on three quick tries but Wests Tigers showed plenty of heart, particularly after losing halfback Latu Fainu (HIA) in the first half and prop Alex Twal (wrist) after halftime.

When Wests Tigers five-eighth Lachlan Galvin put second-rower Samuela Fainu over for the opening try in just the fourth minute, fans on the Leichhardt hill may have dared to think of last year's 66-18 rout at the same venue.

Taulagi had a try disallowed midway through the first half but when play resumed Wests Tigers were down to 16 players after Latu Fainu suffered a head knock and was ruled out.

With Wests Tigers forced into a reshuffle, which saw hooker Api Koroisau switch to first receiver, Cowboys dummy half Reece Robson took advantage by dummying inside and passing to playmaker Tom Dearden to score close to the line. 

Taulagi didn't have to wait long to get his first try of the match, swooping on a grubber kick from fullback Scott Drinkwater to stroll over and put the visitors ahead 12-4 in the 23rd minute.

The Queensland Origin winger scored again in the 32nd minute after finishing a left side shift involving Dearden and centre Val Holmes but the Tigers hit back through fullback Jahream Bula to reduce the scoreline to 18-10 at half-time. 

Bula then scored again just three minutes into the second half after winger Charlie Staines saved a try on his own line and Cook Islands forward Reuben Porter sent the Fijian fullback racing towards the other end.

However, Olam's send off in the 50th minute immediately swung momentum back in favour of the Cowboys and Taulagi, Drinkwater and Val Holmes each scored in the next six minutes. 

Remarkably, it was the Tigers who scored the next two tries with winger Solomon Alaimalo crossing in the 60th minute and centre Solomona Faataape following three minutes later.

Bula made another break and only a try saving tackle by Dearden on Galvin prevented Wests Tigers scoring again but forward Isaiah Papali'i lost the ball and it appeared to be game over.

Drinkwater made the Tigers pay when he scored in the 71st minute after Galvin failed to find touch from a penalty but the home team refused to give up and Samuela Fainu leapt high to snatch a short drop out and race over to score.