Wests Tigers secured an 18-10 victory over Penrith at Lidcombe Oval in Round 8 of the Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership, with all their points coming in a dominant first half.
Match: Wests Tigers v Panthers
Round 8 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
away Team
Panthers
Venue: Lidcombe Oval, Sydney
The Tigers struck first in the 9th minute when halfback Tallara Bamblett held up the defence perfectly before firing the ball to Saige Tautalafua.
The second-rower linked with fullback Evie McGrath, who finished with speed in the corner.
Nine minutes later, another left-edge shift saw Tautalafua provide the pass for centre Harmony Crichton to grab her first try since returning from a long-term knee injury last week.
The points kept flowing when five-eighth Aaliyah Bula produced a perfectly weighted kick for winger Elizabeth Lomu-Stewart to pounce on in the in-goal.
Soon after, McGrath turned provider, giving Lomu-Stewart early ball to beat her opposite on the outside and slice past the Panthers fullback for her second.
Bamblett converted to give the Tigers a commanding 18-0 half-time lead.
Penrith responded after the break though, with halfback Jade Elford dummying her way through from close range in the 55th minute.
Four minutes later, hooker Chloe Pallisier sent fullback Natalia Webb running back against the grain to score their second.
Chelsea Blankenstein converted to close the gap to eight, but the Tigers’ resolute defence ensured there would be no late comeback.
It finished 18-10 to Wests Tigers, who banked their second-straight win, highlighted by standout performances from Tautalafua, McGrath and double-try hero Lomu-Stewart.
Wests Tigers 18 (Lomu-Stewart 2, McGrath, Crichton tries; Bamblett 1/4 goals) defeated Panthers 10 (Elford, Webb tries; Blankenstein 1/1 goal, Pallisier 0/1 goals) at Lidcombe Oval.
