NRL: Tigers claw past Panthers

Andrew Fifita of the Tigers is tackled by Yileen Gordon of the Panthers. Photo / Getty Images

Tigers 20
Panthers 18

Wests Tigers produced one of the more unlikely NRL escapes with a 20-18 victory over Penrith at Campbelltown Stadium on Saturday night.

A 72nd minute try to Mitch Brown, and some typically magical plays from Tiger maestros Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah helped the home side get out of jail against a courageous Penrith outfit.

Despite struggling with an abysmal completion rate and a misfiring attack, the Tigers were able to secure their fifth win of the season and cement their spot in the top eight.

As usual it was star five-eighth Marshall who was at the centre of the comeback, much to the delight of the crowd of 16,127.

With the Tigers trailing 18-10 with less than 15 minutes on the clock, Marshall jumped on an error from Penrith winger Simmons and managed to tip-toe down the sideline before evading the clutches of Lachlan Coote for a match-turning 85 metre try.

That converted try reduced Penrith's lead to two points and kicked a stuttering Tigers attack into action, before Farah found Brown for the match-winning try.

With incoming director of coaching Phil Gould watching from the hill, the Panthers produced a gutsy effort despite missing a host of stars, including skipper Petero Civoniceva (Queensland) and centre Michael Jennings (NSW) who missed the match due to State of Origin duties.

Fullback Michael Gordon (knee), and centre Timana Tahu (pectoral injury) both suffered season-ending knee injuries last week.

To cap things off five-eighth Travis Burns was ruled out during the warm-up after suffering a complication with a pain-killing injection to his knee.

His replacement, utility Masada Iosefa, epitomised the courageous effort on display - starting the match and scoring a first half try after initially being cut from the bench by coach Matt Elliott.

Despite looking off the pace in the first 40 minutes, the Panthers enjoyed the halftime lead when David Simmons capitalised on a Lachlan Coote run to snatch a 12-10 scoreline at the break.

Earlier, Farah and Robert Lui looked to spark the Tigers right-hand side attack when they laid on tries for Simon Dwyer and Blake Ayshford.

Penrith's stand-in captain Luke Lewis shrugged off his Origin omission with another tremendous game.

WESTS TIGERS 20 (B Ayshford M Brown S Dwyer B Marshall tries B Marshall 2 goals) bt PENRITH 18 (L Coote M Iosefa D Simmons tries L Walsh 3 goals) at Campbelltown Sports Stadium. Referee: Ben Cummins, Brett Suttor. Crowd: 16,172.

- AAP