Bears post big win over Magpies

Author: Caitlyn Grant
Timestamp: Sun 7 Jul 2019, 02:55 PM

Western Suburbs Magpies have gone down 32-10 to a fired up North Sydney Bears side today in their Round 16 Canterbury Cup clash at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.

The result continues a tough run of form for Western Suburbs, who drop out of the top eight as a result of the defeat, with next week's clash against the Wentworthville Magpies at Bankwest Stadium now crucial for the side's hopes at a finals finish.

After a tight start to the game that saw a number of good defensive sets, it was the visitors that started off the try scoring with Tom Freebairn getting on the end of a Brock Lamb kick after 16 minutes.

North Sydney quickly blew the game open with a double to Billy Smith in the space of four minutes to extend their lead to 18-0, before Kieren Moss continued the scoring just before the break to give the Bears a 22-0 lead at half-time.

Western Suburbs hit back to start the second half as Kane McQuiggin latched on to a Jock Madden grubber in the 54th minute to reduce the margin, but it would be the Bears' afternoon as James Tuitahi and Freebairn crossed in the second half to ensure the win.

Watson Heleta added some respectability to the scoreboard late on when he capped off some wonderful play from Madden — who tried tirelessly in tough conditions — but it would matter little to the final result as North Sydney cruised to a big win.

Western Suburbs will be desperate to return to the winners circle next week when they face the Wentworthville Magpies at Bankwest Stadium ahead of the NRL side's crucial clash against the Parramatta Eels on Sunday, July 14.

North Sydney Bears 32 (Smith 2, Freebairn 2, Moss, Tuitahi tries; Lamb 3/5 , Hutchison 1/1 goals) def. Western Suburbs Magpies 10 (McQuiggin, Heleta tries; Madden 1/2 goals) at Campbelltown Sports Stadium

Round 16 - Round 16 - Sunday 7 Jul

Full Time

Magpies

Bears

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Magpies is number 1 Dylan Smith

Fullback for Bears is number 1 Kieren Moss
Winger for Magpies is number 2 Harrison O'Toole

Winger for Bears is number 2 Matt Ikuvalu
Centre for Magpies is number 3 Watson Heleta

Centre for Bears is number 3 Billy Smith
Centre for Magpies is number 4 Kane McQuiggin

Centre for Bears is number 4 James Tuitahi
Winger for Magpies is number 5 Kane Bradley

Winger for Bears is number 5 Bernard Lewis
Five-Eighth for Magpies is number 6 Sam McIntyre

Five-Eighth for Bears is number 6 Lachlan Lam
Halfback for Magpies is number 7 Jock Madden

Halfback for Bears is number 7 Brock Lamb

Forwards

Prop for Magpies is number 8 Oliver Clark

Prop for Bears is number 8 John Tuivaiti
Hooker for Magpies is number 9 Soni Luke

Hooker for Bears is number 9 Bradley Deitz
Prop for Magpies is number 21 Patrice Siolo

Prop for Bears is number 10 Max Bailey
2nd Row for Magpies is number 11 Luke Garner

2nd Row for Bears is number 12 Tom Freebairn
2nd Row for Magpies is number 12 Jack Miller

2nd Row for Bears is number 15 Drew Hutchison
Lock for Magpies is number 13 Robbie Rochow

Lock for Bears is number 13 Jerry Key

Interchange

Interchange for Magpies is number 10 Elia Faatui

Interchange for Bears is number 14 Nicholas O'Meley
Interchange for Magpies is number 15 Henry Lealuga-Puhotau

Interchange for Bears is number 16 Ben Thomas
Interchange for Magpies is number 18 Rajko Jankovic

Interchange for Bears is number 18 Daniel Fifita
Interchange for Magpies is number 20 Dylan Clifford

Interchange for Bears is number 19 Elih Jackson