The bubble burst on South Sydney's late season charge as Wests Tigers put their NRL campaign back on the rails with an emphatic 36-12 win at ANZ Stadium today.
Sparked by a lively performance from star pivot Benji Marshall, the Tigers turned on the razzle dazzle to run out seven tries to two winners, bringing an end to their four game losing streak.
Despite the finals still being a mathematical possibility, September action now looks out of reach for the resurgent Bunnies who would need to win six of their last seven games to finish in the top eight.
A three-try burst either side of the halftime break handed the Tigers a comfortable 20-6 lead after 50 minutes, but Souths refused to give up and looked capable of mounting a comeback when prop Roy Asotasi slammed the ball down under the posts with 15 minutes remaining.
But as it had done all game, poor ball control cost the Rabbitohs and a John Morris chip kick for Beau Ryan's second try sealed victory for the Tigers.
Chris Lawrence and Taniela Tuiaki completed their try doubles later and the Tigers moved just one point behind eighth-placed Penrith on the NRL ladder.
Marshall was back at his brilliant best as he grubbered behind the line for a Tuiaki try after nine minutes before the Tigers lost fullback Tim Moltzen to the sin bin for what referee Jason Robinson deemed a professional foul as he held on too long in the tackle after a Chris Sandow break.
Souths took advantage of his absence to lock it up via Jamie Simpson, and the Bunnies looked like putting more points on the board as they bombarded the visitors' line.
But the Tigers' goaline defence proved effective with Isaac Luke held up over the line by Bryce Gibbs before they went 100 metres downfield to take a six-point lead into the break when Ryan went over for his first.
A brilliant set play from the scrum involving Robbie Farah, who interchanged between halfback and hooker throughout the game, sent Lawrence on his way before Farah did it himself as he capitalised on some exhilarating football to duck over for a 20-6 lead.
Wests Tigers 36 (C Lawrence 2 B Ryan 2 T Tuiaki 2 R Farah tries B Marshall 4 goals) bt South Sydney 12 (R Asotasi J Simpson tries I Luke 2 goals) at ANZ Stadium. Referee: J Robinson. Crowd: 21,818.
