Pathways Wrap: Round 9

After a tough start to the season, Western Suburbs Magpies finally secured their first win last Saturday, with a hard-fought, four-point victory over Blacktown Workers.

Conceding an early try, the Magpies hit back shortly after, with a slick piece of footwork from young centre Livai Saukuru putting Israel Ogden over in the corner.

Saukuru was playing just the second NSW Cup game of his career after starring in Wests Tigers’ Jersey Flegg U/21’s team this season.

After the two sides once again traded four-pointers, making it two tries apiece, Ogden crossed for his double, before new signing Fa’amanu Brown crashed over to put an exclamation point on his impressive Magpies debut.

Western Suburbs withstood a late fightback from Blacktown after the break, with Sea Eagles fullback Jake Toby finishing the match with four tries!

Skipper Tom Freebairn caught a Jock Madden cross-field kick to score and halt Blacktown’s momentum enough to finish the game winners, 30 points to 26.

HARVEY NORMAN NSW WOMEN’S PREMIERSHIP

Unfortunately, Wests Tigers’ senior women’s side succumbed to their first loss of the season last Sunday, going down to North Sydney 34-6.

In a game where superstar Jessica Sergis made her Wests Tigers debut, the Bears were just too strong, with their respective international stars such as Kirra Dibb, Vanessa Foliaki and Raecene McGregor guiding them to a big win.

The away side did cross for a sole try, with skipper Emily Curtain cleaning up her own bomb to score her second four-pointer in three games so far this season.

Wests Tigers, who remain in the top four, will look to get back to winning ways when they face Mounties on May 20

JERSEY FLEGG CUP - U21's

Wests Tigers’ Jersey Flegg Cup outfit secured their third win in a row for the first time this season, beating a strong Manly side, 30-24.

The teams traded four-pointers for the majority of the contest, with Finnley Neilsen’s strong charge on the right edge leading to the away side’s first score, before Jamie Lawler scooped up a loose ball and put Jay Kirk over, later in the half.

After the resumption of play, Wests Tigers kept the home team to just one try, with Jahream Bula’s weaving run and James Valevatu’s pounce on a Kade Hill grubber, being the highlights of their second-half rout.

Wests Tigers will look to make it four wins on the trot against Canterbury-Bankstown on May 21.