Report: NSW Women's Premiership Round 3 vs WV Magpies

After losses in their opening two matches, the Tigers burst to life with a dominant six-try performance, led by a double to prop Afi Fauese, a barnstorming display from Claudia Nielsen, and the steady hand of halfback Tallara Bamblett, who kicked five conversions.

Wentworthville opened the scoring in the 15th minute through Chantel Tugaga, but it didn’t take long for the Tigers to respond. A powerful long-range carry from Nielsen sparked the set, and front-rower Tiresa Leasuasu capped it off with a charging run to the line.

Just minutes later, Fauese barged over from close range straight off a restart, giving the Tigers a 12-4 lead. Nielsen then delivered a brilliant individual effort on the stroke of half-time, slicing through and racing 45 metres to extend the margin to 18-4. 

They went on to further their dominance after the break, with Fauese bursting through for her second try, before Darcy Eade finished off a lovely short-side play from five-eighth Faythe Manera to make it 30-4.

Wentworthville rallied late, crossing twice in the final 15 minutes through Danielle Seckold and Rosaline Aumale, but it was too little too late. The Tigers added their final points in the 64th minute, with Katalina Vave powering her way over after Leasuasu came close the play prior.

The 20-point win - six tries to three - provides Wests Tigers with a platform to build from in the coming rounds.

With a mix of youth and experience beginning to click, Coach Mitch Sargent will take plenty of confidence from the performance, particularly the go-forward of the middle unit and the creativity from the spine.

Wests Tigers 34 (Fauese 2, Leasuasu, Nielsen, Eade, Vave tries; Bamblett 5/6 goals) defeated WV Magpies 14 (Tugaga, Seckold, Aumale tries; Colman 1/3 goals) at Lidcombe Oval.