It wasn’t just in the NRL where we had a heart-stopping game, with our NSW Cup Magpies and Jersey Flegg Wests Tigers also recording last minute victories.
Wests Tigers Pathways teams experienced mixed results in the final weekend of the Junior Reps competition rounds.
Our undefeated Wests Magpies Harold Matthews team finished 2nd and have earned the first semi-final weekend off, as they wait to see who their opponent will be on 20 April.
Unfortunately, in a must-win game to secure a Top 6 finals berth, the Wests Magpies SG Ball side conceded a try in the 67th Minute, falling just short and finishing the season in 8th position.
Both Balmain sides were unable to overcome strong Newcastle teams and will finish their season without a win.
Our Lisa Fiaola 17s Wests Tigers are also semi-final bound, after a resounding 42-0 thumping of the Manly Sea Eagles. The girls will take on the Central Coast Roosters in week one of the finals at Leichhardt Oval (12:00pm) on Saturday 13th April.
The Tarsha Gale side will finish in 9th position and miss the semi-finals after going down to Manly 66-6.
Wests Tigers Jersey Flegg team came back from an 18-point deficit to beat the Eels 24-22 on Saturday.
Leon Latulipe’s half time speech did the trick with the Tigers posting three tries in seven minutes to claw the game back to just a two-point difference.
The comeback was finished brilliantly by Brenden Naicori, who put his team in front 24-22. Wests Tigers are now three wins from four for the season and will travel to Melbourne this weekend to take on the Storm.
Western Suburbs Magpies recorded their first win of the season in the Knock On Effect NSW Cup in Round 4, beating the Eels 32-26 in the NRL curtain-raiser.
Knock On Effect NSW Cup
Wests Magpies vs Parramatta Eels
Match: Eels v Magpies
Round 4 -
home Team
Eels
13th Position
away Team
Magpies
9th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Coach – Aaron Payne
It was great to finally get the two points, and very well deserved after they way this team fought back to get the result. It was a high quality game with high completion rates and a low missed tackle count.
We have been building towards a win and we definitely took our lessons from last week. I'm really happy for the players to finally get some reward for all their hard work over the preseason.
Jersey Flegg Cup (U/21s)
Wests Tigers vs Parramatta Eels
Match: Eels v Wests Tigers
Round 4 -
home Team
Eels
away Team
Wests Tigers
Venue: New Era Stadium, Sydney
Coach – Leon Latulipe
We started well but lost our way a bit during the game, allowing the Eels to score three tries off kicks when we weren't urgent enough in applying pressure while defending our line.
We came out in the second half with a goal in mind, and that was to be patient and stick to the process - which is what we did and were rewarded for.
As a coach, I was very proud of their ability to adjust on the run and for their resilience to fight to the last minute.
SG Ball Cup (U/19s)
Balmain Tigers vs Newcastle Knights
Match: Tigers v Knights
Round 9 -
home Team
Tigers
away Team
Knights
Venue: Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Coach – Chris Yates
It was our last game at Leichhardt Oval for the season and the Knights were too big and too strong. This season has been a great learning curve for the squad, and with around 10 players young enough to play SG Ball again next year, it’s important they take this experience into the future.
Archie Riley and Jared Haywood have been standout performers we look forward to seeing them progress through the grades, as well as our cheeky halfback, Jack Hanratty, who debuted late in the year.
SG Ball Cup (U/19s)
Wests Magpies vs Parramatta Eels
Match: Eels v Magpies
Round 9 -
home Team
Eels
away Team
Magpies
Venue: Eric Tweedale Stadium, Sydney
Coach – Joey Saukuru
It was a see-sawing battle from start to finish, with Parra taking an early lead, before our Magpies hit back to go into the break at just 12-10 down. We started the second half with an early try, before mistakes and fatigue kicked in and played a major role for both sides in attack and defence. Unfortunately, the Magpies boys were defeated in the last minute of the game, 30 points to 26.
Harold Matthews Cup (U/17s)
Balmain Tigers vs Newcastle Knights
Match: Tigers v Knights
Round 9 -
home Team
Tigers
away Team
Knights
Venue: Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Coach – Tony Bazouni
Our season ended on Saturday with a disappointing loss to a more committed Newcastle team. In front of our home crowd for the last time in 2024, too many mistakes in our own end and missed tackles allowed the Knights to get off to a lead. The boys never gave up for a minute of the contest which has been a testament to their character all year.
Harold Matthews Cup (U/17s)
Wests Magpies vs Parramatta Eels
Match: Eels v Magpies
Round 9 -
home Team
Eels
away Team
Magpies
Venue: Eric Tweedale Stadium, Sydney
Coach – Stephen Isdale
The boys faced the Parramatta Eels in a Good Friday clash that really lived up to the hype. Both sides had opportunities to close out the game, but were unable to do so, finishing at 16-all.
This was a perfect game for the boys leading into the semi finals, allowing us to see where we really are at as a football team.
It was a massive effort to finish the regular season unbeaten but semi final football is new challenge. The boys will rip in over the next two weeks to be ready to go for whoever we face.
Tarsha Gale Cup (U19s)
Wests Tigers vs Manly Sea Eagles
Match: Sea Eagles v Wests Tigers
Round 9 -
home Team
Sea Eagles
away Team
Wests Tigers
Venue: 4 Pines Park, Sydney
Assistant Coach - Shenelle Haumono
Our last game of the season was a tough encounter against a strong Manly team. We had a lot of quality players out but make no excuses, defensively we were poor and just couldn’t slow down their ruck speed.
Still, I'm very proud of their efforts to finish the game strongly.
Overall we’ve seen these girls improve their fundamentals and develop into exceptional players. The coaching staff is looking forward to their progression into the next stage of their football journey.
Lisa Fiaola Cup (U/17s)
Wests Tigers vs Manly Sea Eagles
Match: Sea Eagles v Wests Tigers
Round 9 -
home Team
Sea Eagles
away Team
Wests Tigers
Venue: Brookvale Oval
Coach – Scott Clark
The team showed how well they can play when they hold onto the ball, and equally their defence was impressive, holding their opposition to zero.
Congratulations to the team in cementing their place in the finals. This a great achievement for these players and their efforts have been rewarded for the commitment they have put in over the previous months.
We will need to work on a few improvements within our game but that will be something we concentrate on over the next couple of weeks.
