Illawarra have returned to the winners circle after recording a gutsy 20-14 victory over the Wests Tigers at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on Saturday.
Illawarra were bolstered by the return of livewire five-eighth Jai Field from injury and his impact was immediate when he crossed for the first try of the afternoon.
The Tigers replied quickly out wide through winger Nathan Milone and would cross the stripe a short while later when Jayden Wheelhouse scored to help his side to an 8-6 half-time lead.
The Tigers extended their lead soon after the break when Wesley Lolo scored an easy four-pointer from close range.
Illawarra would finally respond with some some razzle dazzle footy from Shaun Nona and Luciano Leilua, which led to Field scoring his second try of the afternoon.
Illawarra winger Izaac Thompson stamped his mark on the game when he crossed out wide before being sin-binned moments later after an alleged punch.
Bizarrely, Illawarra received the penalty 15 out from the Tigers try-line which allowed Nona to extend the eventual match-winning lead.
Illawarra 20 (Jai Field 2, Izaac Thompson tries; Shaun Nona 4 goals) defeated Wests Tigers 14 (Nathan Milone, Jayden Wheelhouse, Wesley Lolo tries; Justin Hunt 1 goal) at Campbelltown Sports Stadium. Half-time: Tigers 8-6.
