Pathways Wrap: Round 16

Wests Tigers Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership side secured arguably their biggest win of the season to date, coming away with an outstanding victory over Newcastle.

The victory sees Wests Tigers jump Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, Newcastle Knights and Central Coast Roosters to join the top four of the Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership ladder following a 12-0 victory over Newcastle Knights at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.

The home side scored an early double through impressive centre-turned-winger Tess Staines before her opposite winger Josie Lenaz crossed on the opposite edge. 

On a tough day with the kicking tee, Tayla Preston couldn’t add the extras for all three tries, meaning Wests Tigers entered the break with a 12-0 lead.

From there, a gritty second half with no points scored ensued, meaning Wests Tigers now enter the Top 4 of the competition; currently sitting in third place. 

A disappointing afternoon for Wests Tigers’ Jersey Flegg Cup outfit, as they succumbed to a tough 20-0 defeat to a Top 4 Knights side. 

NSW U/19’s Origin representative Oryn Keeley opened the scoring for the away side before winger Luke Pietzner got over before the half-time break.

Newcastle kicked a penalty goal, and scored another try after the interval, with the Knights too good on the day. 

Wests Tigers still sit in 5th position on the ladder and are well in the hunt for a Top 4 spot this season. 

Western Suburbs Magpies also proved victorious at their Campbelltown home, with a tight win over Newcastle hopefully sparking the home side’s season into life. 

After conceding an early try through Lachlan Fitzgibbon, the Magpies took control of the remainder of the first half, scoring through Israel Ogden and Sione Fainu. 

Prop, Aitasi James scored the second try of his NSW Cup career to give the Magpies a 12-point lead, and Western Suburbs weathered a Knights fight-back to score an 18-12 victory. 

The match also featured a Magpies debut for two new recruits, Jack Boyling and Keaton Walkington-Meads, as well as a NSW Cup debut for young second-rower Zayn Sluvinsky-Wilkins.