Sport
Hurt Payten on sideline
TORIN CHEN
Wednesday 7 May, 2008 10:00am
WESTS Tigers' Todd Payten's 200th game celebrations are on ice after the big, tough front-rower suffered a hamstring injury in the Tigers' 34-22 loss to the Brisbane Broncos on Sunday.
The Tigers' enforcer was forced off the field in the seventh minute after tearing his hamstring and could miss several games a major blow to coach Tim Sheens' side.
Payten, who made his first grade debut for the Canberra Raiders in 1996, will notch up his 200th first grade game the next time he takes to the field.
With Payten on the sidelines, the Tigers were outmuscled by the visiting Broncos at ANZ Stadium.
The home side were trailing 16-0 at half-time but in the second half they scored four second half tries and were within striking distance of upsetting the Broncos after their third try reduced the deficit to 22-18.
Second-rower Ben Te'o scored two tries and winger Shannon McDonnell from Liverpool, picked up a four-pointer, 15 minutes from full-time which cut the Broncos' lead to just four points.
The Broncos secured the win scoring the next two tries before centre Dean Collis scored a consolation try for the Tigers after touching down in the corner in the final minute.
Captain Brett Hodgson, backing up from Friday's City-Country match, kicked three goals.
The Tigers have the bye this weekend.
