Wests Tigers Intrust Super Premiership side have produced a tough performance to defeat the North Sydney Bears 14-6 on Saturday afternoon at North Sydney Oval.
Coming into the match on a run of three defeats, Wests Tigers had seven Holden Cup players step up to the team on the day and were able to ride a strong defensive effort — keeping the Bears scoreless for the opening 60 minutes — en rote to an eight-point victory.
The match began in perfect fashion for Wests Tigers, with Josh Addo-Carr opening the scoring after 12 minutes of play in front of a strong crowd at North Sydney Oval.
Veiru Mapesone was unable to add the extras from out wide, leaving the scoreline at 4-0.
Errors and a poor kicking game from North Sydney saw the match hang in the balance for the remainder of the first half, with the visitors taking a tight 4-0 lead into the sheds.
A strong run from Bayley Sironen looked destined to extend the visitors' lead when he found space, but the chance would go begging with runners in support. However, what the break would do would give Paul Stringer's side strong field position, with Jayden Wheelhouse eventually darting over after 56 minutes for the second try of the day.
Mapesone was again unable to add the extras from out wide, leaving the score at 8-0.
Off the back of several unforced errors from the visitors, North Sydney would finally cross for their first points of the day through Jack Gosiewcki, who produced a strong run and fend to cross under the posts after 66 minutes. Eli Levido had no problems adding the extras from in front to cut the lead to 8-6 and set the match up for a grandstand finish.
Thomas Bartley looked to seal the result when he crashed through the line in his Holden Cup debut but he was held up superbly by Bears fullback Devon Makaore-Boyce.
The result would be confirmed when Addo-Carr scooped up a loose ball by the Bears, sprinting away to run 80 metres and guarantee the visitors a much-needed victory.
FULL TIME — Wests Tigers 14 (Addo-Carr 2, Wheelhouse tries; Mapesone 1/3 goals) def. North Sydney Bears 6 (Gosiewcki tries; Levido 1/1 goals) at North Sydney Oval
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