Entertaining win over Tigers keeps Souths season alive

South Sydney continued their late season revival with a 42-28 victory over Wests Tigers on the Central Coast in one of the most open attacking games of the season.

After the Dolphins ended the Rabbitohs’ five-game winning streak last time out, Ben Hornby’s men came from behind twice to take two vital points to keep their slim hopes of an NRL finals spot alive.

Saturday afternoon’s performance wasn’t as good as the past two months, but that doesn’t bother the Bunnies.

Their return to the winner’s circle moved them 20 points and two wins behind the top eight.

Expectations that it would be a disappointing spectacle between the teams ranked 15th and 17th were already dashed in the hectic first 20 minutes.

South Sydney took an early lead through tries from Davvy Moale and Cody Walker, but the Tigers quickly hit back with two four-pointers of their own.

It was a disappointing afternoon for the inexperienced Tigers, who produced one of their most exciting attacking performances of the season but still fell short.

Lachlan Galvin opened the scoring for the Tigers, the 19-year-old five-eighth player joining 19-year-old hooker Tallyn Da Silva after catching the Rabbitohs defence napping at dummy-half.

A few minutes later, the Tigers Cubs were back in action, this time Da Silva scored four runs.

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Teenager Tallyn Da Silva was among the Tigers’ tryscorers. (HANDOUT/NRL PHOTOS)

Their best moment came just before half-time.

Still deep inside their own half and as the final whistle blew, the Tigers began an impressive passing move that found winger Luke Laulilii in space on the left flank.

The 18-year-old held off Damien Cook before finding Galvin, who played the ball to Jahream Bula, who then scored.

But mistakes and indiscipline would frustrate the Tigers and their loyal fans as they crossed the M1 once again.

The Tigers completed just 70 per cent of their sets and gave away seven penalties, while the Rabbitohs had two.

With 20 minutes remaining and the score level, Laulilii took his eyes off the ball as he processed a pass from Bula on his 10-metre line.

The ball landed straight into the arms of Souths hooker Cook, who passed it to Walker, who scored an easy try.

Without injured fullback Latrell Mitchell and suspended lock Cam Murray, the Rabbitohs’ manpower was further reduced when centre Richard Kennar failed to pass a HIA in the first half.

Substitute Peter Mamezoulas took advantage of the longer than usual playing time to score his first try of the season, coming from half-dummy after catching the Tigers defence napping.

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Try-scorer Peter Mamouzelos enjoyed his extra minutes as a substitute. (HANDOUT/NRL PHOTOS)

The Tigers’ fierce resistance came to an end shortly afterwards when Aiden Sezer was sent off for a hip tackle on young Souths fullback Jye Gray, earning the club its 15th yellow card of the season.

Gray had the final say, using the extra man to score in the 73rd minute to secure the win.