There were tries galore at Mount Smart Stadium, but in the end the Auckland Vulcans triumphed with a late try to beat the Wests Tigers 26-24.

Greasy conditions greeted both teams in the early exchanges, with heavy patches of rain making ball control difficult.

Just five minutes in the Vulcans were rewarded for a good kick chase where they were able to pin the Tigers deep in their own territory.

From the ensuing possession Tangi Ropati scooped up a loose ball and tiptoed ten meters down the line to score in the corner to take a four point lead.

Soft dummy half defence was to blame for the Tigers drawing equal on 12 minutes. Captain Sean Meaney crashing over from close range.

Moments later the Vulcans once again targeted the Tigers left edge defence, Ropati fighting his way over for his second, before centre Tim Simona squared it up after a lovely Tigers overlap.

Struggling to deal with the big Vulcans pack in the greasy conditions, Wests conceded off a quick play the ball which set Suaia Matagi up with a bulldozing run under the posts. The first conversion of the day gave the Vulcans a 14-8 lead.

With halftime in sight Auckland were gifted a penalty in front of the posts, they took the two and stretched the gap to eight heading into the break.

The sun made an appearance at the start of the second half and so too did the Tigers attack. Two tries in six minutes left the Vulcans behind 20-16 after looking in control for most of the first stanza.

Minutes later the seesawing nature of the contest continued, with the in-form Atelea Nafetali crossing.

A Jarrod Farlow try with eight to go looked to have won the game for the impressive Tigers, but the determination of home team allowed them to hit back through Nafetali once again.

The final few minutes had the fans out of their seats, both teams throwing everything they had at each other in a thrilling display of rugby league.

But the Vulcans did enough to ensure the two points went their way, claiming a third win for the season 26-24.

Next week both teams face clashes against top of the table sides in the VB NSW Cup. The Vulcans clashing with Cronulla at Henson Park, the Tigers against Bears at the North Sydney Oval.


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