Around the Grounds: Round 1
Wests Tigers kicked off their 2021 campaign with three matches across Round 1 — with the Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership side’s emphatic win the highlight of the weekend.
The NRL and Knock-On Effect NSW Cup teams weren’t able to record wins when they visited Canberra on Sunday, while the Jersey Flegg team started the year with the bye.
NRL Telstra Premiership
Wests Tigers weren’t able to leave the nation’s capital with two competition points, but they showed plenty of positive signs in their 30-12 loss to Canberra Raiders — especially in the opening 40 minutes.
Wests Tigers defended bravely for large periods of the game, but the Raiders were too strong in the second half as they scored four tries in the final 40 minutes.
The play of the game for the away side came when James Roberts — who was playing his 150th NRL game — provided a sunning flick pass to winger David Nofoaluma to score in the corner.
It was also great to see hooker Jacob Liddle bag the opening try of the game after Luke Brooks drifted across field to link with his dummy-half.
Wests Tigers will turn their attention to Sunday's first home game of the season against Sydney Roosters at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
Canberra Raiders 30 (Rapana 2, James, Young, Nicoll-Klokstad tries; Williams 5/6 goals) def. Wests Tigers 12 (Liddle, Nofoaluma tries; Brooks 2/2 goals)
Match: Raiders v Wests Tigers
Round 1 -
home Team
Raiders
3rd Position
away Team
Wests Tigers
14th Position
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
2021 Match Highlights: Rd.1, Raiders vs. Wests Tigers
Knock-On Effect NSW Cup
Western Suburbs Magpies kicked off their 2021 campaign with a 32-18 loss to Canberra Raiders at GIO Stadium.
The Magpies held a narrow advantage at half-time but the Raiders were too strong in the second half — scoring four tries in the final 40 minutes.
Young hooker Jake Simpkin was a standout for Western Suburbs as he scored a try, set up two and came up with some big plays in defence throughout the match.
Canberra Raiders 32 (Hopoate 2, Smith-Shields, Valemei, Frawley; Williams 1/2, Schneider 3/4 goals) def. Western Suburbs Magpies 18 (Rogers-Smith, Simpkin, Seyfarth; Madden 2/2, Dockar-Clay 1/1 goals).
Match: Raiders v Magpies
Round 1 -
home Team
Raiders
1st Position
away Team
Magpies
11th Position
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership
Wests Tigers started the season on a high with a 54-4 thrashing of Cabramatta in their opening game of the season.
Neil Stanley's side raced out of the blocks to lead 28-0 at the break and didn't look back, scoring ten tries to one in the 50-point win.
Maori All Stars representatives Page McGregor and Botille Vette-Welsh were impressive in the big win as they both bagged doubles.
With Kiwi representative Raecene McGregor still to return to the squad, Wests Tigers be aiming to make it two from two when they take on the North Sydney Bears at TG Millner Field on Sunday.
In the other games, Cronulla, St Marys and Central Coast record convincing victories.
Wests Tigers 54 (McGregor 2, Vette-Welsh 2, Osborne 2, Lenaz 2, Fekeila, E.Curtain tries; E.Curtain 7/10 goals) def. Cabramatta 4 (Hamid tries; Karam 0/1 goals) at New Era Stadium
Match: Cabramatta v Wests Tigers
Round 1 -
home Team
Cabramatta
away Team
Wests Tigers
Venue: New Era Stadium, Sydney
Jersey Flegg
Wests Tigers U/21’s side started the season with the bye in Round 1, giving the team another week of preparations before their campaign opener in Round 2.
The team will be looking to start their season on a high when they host the Sydney Roosters at TG Millner Field at 11:45am on Sunday.
Across the competition, Canterbury-Bankstown, St George Illawarra, Penrith and Sydney Roosters claimed wins in the opening round.
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