The Wests Tigers have beaten the North Sydney Bears 36-18 at Community Oval in Moss Vale.
As part of the NSWRL's "Country Round" the two sides met at the picturesque Southern Highlands venue with the Tigers proving far too good for the Bears.
The Tigers kicked off in cool conditions and after defending the opening set from North Sydney they earned a penalty and marched downfield.
The Bears defended their line bravely and a Tigers error on the last got them of the hook.
Good pressure by the Tigers forced back to back drop outs early in the contest, and Tigers hooker Menaia Cherrington scored the game's first try in the 15th minute.
Josh Drinkwater made no mistake from in front and his side led 6-0.
Great last ditch defence by the Tigers denied Michael Oldfield a short time later and the Tigers made their way downfield.
The Bears were dealt a blow when an error just 10 metres out from their line gave the Tigers a great attacking opportunity but strong Bears defence forced a Tigers mistake.
More resilient Bears defence forced a mistake out of Tigers prop Rod Griffin with just the one try to show for an enthralling 25 minutes of action.
On 29 minutes Bears fullback Sitiveni Moceidreke put Oldfield away down the short side and he proved too quick for the chasers to score the Bears' opening try. The try was converted by Eli Levido to tie it up 6-all.
A try to Piki Rogers just minutes later gave the Bears the lead for the first time. Levido converted to make it 12-6.
In the 37th minute the Tigers hit back through Ored Karwhin in the left corner after they kept the ball alive and found the Bears' defence wanting.
Drinkwater's conversion hit the upright and was waved away so the Bears held onto a 12-10 lead in the shadows of halftime.
Another Tigers mistake put them under intense pressure with just a couple of minutes remaining in the half but a poor kick let the Tigers released the pressure.
The Tigers made the perfect start after halftime when Karwhin touched down again to give the Tigers a 14-12 lead but Drinkwater couldn't add the extras from out wide.
Back to back tries to the Tigers pulled the Tigers further in front this time interchange Jackson Williams scored the try. Drinkwater converted to make it 20-12 with just over half an hour left.
Too many errors were making it difficult for the Bears to get back into the match and on the back of another, just 10 metres out from the Bears' own line, the Tigers went on the attack and scored their fifth try through centre Chance Peni. Drinkwater converted to make it 26-12.
The Bears followed this up by kicking out on the full as their miserable afternoon continued.
With just over 10 minutes remaining Tigers fullback Justin Hunt was forced from the field due to concussion but it didn't stop their dominance of the match.
With only 7 minutes remaining the Tigers scored try number six through secondrower Tyler Cassel. Jack Littlejohn took over the goal kicking duties but couldn't add the extras and his side led 30-12.
Cassel scored his second try in two minutes later when he leapt highest to bring down a Littlejohn cross-field kick and push the Tigers even further in front.
Cassel made no mistake with the conversion and the Tigers led 36-12 with six minutes left.
Despite leading comfortably, the Tigers repelled late a Bears raid with some outstanding defence.
A consolation try to Oldfield on the siren gave the Bears fans a happy end to the game and Levido converted from out wide.
