Around the Grounds: Round 4

Knock-On Effect NSW Cup

Leading by 14 points with 12 minutes left on the clock, Western Suburbs Magpies were cruising to a comfortable victory before two late Parramatta tries set up a thrilling finish in the curtain-raiser at Stadium Australia.

The Eels managed to close the gap to a converted try and had one last attacking raid on the stroke of full-time, but the Magpies held their line to record back-to-back victories and move to third on the ladder.

Young hooker Jake Simpkin opened the scoring for the home side — bagging his fifth try in four games this campaign — while providing good service from dummy-half throughout the 80 minutes.

Halfback Jock Madden had another impressive game as he took control of the contest and scored two four-pointers — including a stunning runaway try.

Winger Kiah Cooper — who moved into the starting side in place of the injured William Kei — bagged a double for the second week in-a-row, while NRL squad members Reece Hoffman and Joey Leilua also found the try line.

Western Suburbs Magpies 34 (Madden 2, Cooper 2, Simpkin, Leilua, Hoffman tries; Madden 2/7 goals) def. Parramatta Eels 28 (Rodwell, Penisini, Arthur, Makatoa, Lafai tries; Rankin 4/5 goals)

Jersey Flegg

Wests Tigers made it two wins from as many starts when they recorded a 40-22 win against Parramatta at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on Easter Monday.

The U/20s side is one of just three teams to remain unbeaten this season as they climbed to second on the ladder — only behind Penrith — who have played an extra game.

Rising prop Mavoni Tuifua — who trained with the NRL squad over the summer — scored the side’s first and last try on Monday evening.

Logen Dillon, Eli Morgan, Rua Ngatikaura, Liam Scolari and Iverson Fuatimau all found the try line as Wests Tigers sealed an 18-point win against the Eels.

The team will be aiming to keep their perfect record intact when they host the Bulldogs at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday — in which will be the curtain-raiser to the NRL clash against North Queensland.

Wests Tigers 40 (Tuifua 2, Dillon, Morgan, Ngati, Scolari, Fuatimau tries; Stevanovic 6/7 goals) def. Parramatta Eels 22 (Tasipale 2, Easthope, Tohi, Yates tries; Schneider 1/5 goals)

Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership

Wests Tigers let a two-try lead slip as they went down to the Helensburgh Tigers at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on Monday night.

It took four tries from Dally M medallist Jessica Sergis for the away side to claim a 30-20 victory, while another Dally M medallist Kezie Apps also found the try line.

For Wests Tigers, Page McGregor bagged the opening try of the match after just three minutes, while her sister, Raecene scored on her return from a shoulder injury.
Centre Rachel Simpson — who was a late inclusion — also scored a try, while Emily Curtain also crossed for a four-pointer and kicked two goals.

The team will next face St Marys at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday morning.

Helensburgh Tigers 30 (Sergis 4, Apps tries; Pearson 5/5 goals) def. Wests Tigers 20 (P McGregor, R McGregor, Simpson, Curtain tries; Curtain 2/4 goals)