Our Knock-On Effect NSW Cup and Jersey Flegg sides kicked off their 2026 campaigns alongside six other Wests Tigers Pathways teams across Sydney in warm mid-March conditions over the weekend.
Lidcombe Oval hosted the first triple-header of the weekend, with the Western Suburbs Magpies Harold Matthews, SG Ball and NSW Cup sides facing the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles and the North Sydney Bears.
On Sunday, our Lisa Fiaola and Tarsha Gale Cup teams travelled north to also take on the Sea Eagles, while Leichhardt Oval saw the Balmian Tigers Harold Matthews and SG Ball Cup sides take on the New Zealand Warriors, while the Wests Tigers Jersey Flegg side faced the Kaiviti Silktails.
Western Suburbs Magpies
Harold Matthews Cup vs Manly Warringah Sea Eagles: 32-18
A slow start saw the Magpies head into halftime trailing 14-0.
Western Suburbs responded early in the second half with winger Sebastian Taylor and Christian Muagututia crossing for tries, both converted by Issac Searle to reduce the margin to 14-12.
However, Pat Richards side was unable to maintain that momentum. Despite an impressive run up field early in the second half, which led to an Iszak Isdale try, Manly finished strongly to secure a 32-18 victory.
SG Ball Cup vs Manly Warringah Sea Eagles: 44-26 loss
The Magpies fought hard in the opening stages, trailing 12-4 late in the first half before a 32nd minute Sea Eagles try sent them to the sheds down 18-6.
The team traded blows to start the second half, going back and forth for the next six tries.
Manly eventually pulled away with back-to-back tries to extend their lead, making it too large for the Magpies to comeback from. The match ended 44-26.
Knock-On Effect NSW Cup vs North Sydney Bears: 26-16 loss
The Magpies started strongly, with captain Charlie Murray scoring in the eighth minute.
North Sydney responded in the 25th minute to level the scores at 6-6 before Western Suburbs regained the lead in the 36th minute, with Iverson Matai launching a kick that was collected by winger Tino Tavana to put the Magpies up 10-6.
However, a late mistake on the wing allowed the Bears to capitalise in the final seconds of the half, levelling the scores at 10-10 heading into the break.
North Sydney struck first after halftime before Magpies fullback Jack Attard responded, bringing the match level again at 16-16. Back-to-back tries from the Bears put the match out of reach, ending in a 26-16 loss for the Magpies.
Balmain Tigers
Harold Matthews Cup vs New Zealand Warriors: 24-22 win
The Tigers opened the day by spreading the ball to fullback Thomas Aroyan, who spotted a gap and crossed for the first try. Aroyan converted his own try to give Balmain a 6-0 lead.
Despite a strong defence, the Warriors responded with two tries to take the lead.
A try from Sione Maea brought the Tigers back into the contest, with Balmain trailing 12-10 at halftime.
Balmain dug deep in a tight second half. Tries from Aroyan and Zac Bechara, along with a penalty goal, pushed the Tigers ahead 24-18 with less than five minutes remaining.
The Warriors scored late on the left edge but were unable to convert the try, leading to Balmain’s first win of the season, 24-22.
SG Ball Cup vs New Zealand Warriors: 24-16 loss
The Tigers were immediately on the back foot, with the side from New Zealand scoring twice in the opening seven minutes.
Balmain responded in the 14th minute when Iszak Isdale put through a grubber that was collected by Braidyn Wood, with Christian Azzi converting.
A try on the right edge from Ben Lawrence gave the Tigers a 10-8 lead heading into halftime.
Winger Ali Karnib extended the lead early in the second half with a try on the left edge, again converted by Azzi.
The Warriors fought their way back to take an 18-16 lead before a late try sealed a 24-16 victory for the visitors.
Wests Tigers
Jersey Flegg Cup vs Kaiviti Silktails: 52-16 win
The Wests Tigers made the perfect start to their season, with winger Will Craig scoring in the second minute – Craig would go on to finish with a double.
The Tigers dominated the first half, scoring five additional tries while restricting the Silktails to one, taking a convincing 30-6 lead into halftime. Try scorers included Byronn Laupepa, Logan Brooks, Jack Nicholas and Mitch Taotua.
The momentum continued after the break, with Brooks completing a hat-trick while also contributing with the boot to finish with 22 points.
Further tries from Luani Tuifua and Sione Lolohea sealed an impressive 52-16 victory at Leichhardt Oval.
Lisa Fiaola Cup vs Manly Warringah Sea Eagles: 34-0 win
The Wests Tigers delivered a dominant performance against the Sea Eagles, running in 34 unanswered points.
Captain, Charlotte Withers played a key role in controlling the game, while winger, Khiarna Munro crossed for a hat-trick to earn the Bar TV Fan Voted Player of the Match.
Mia-Laylahnii Laupepa scored a double, while Josalynn Tooala and Isabella Brown also crossed for tries.
Bessy Combo was another standout performer after coming off the bench in the front row, while the Tigers’ strong defence ensured they kept a clean sheet.
Tarsha Gale Cup vs Manly Warringah Sea Eagles: 34-6 win
After last week’s 18-18 draw in Melbourne, the Wests Tigers were determined to secure two competition points.
The Tigers made a strong start with tries from Mia Tonga, Aliana Fasavalu-Fa’amausili and May Fuimaono to take a 16-0 lead into halftime.
The Sea Eagles struck early in the second half to narrow the margin to 16-6, but the Tigers responded strongly.
Further tries from Ryah Mokoia, Modesty Tafeuni, Amirah El-Abdallah and Jewel Faaui helped extend the lead to 34-6.
With seven individual try scorers, the Tigers showcased the depth of talent across their squad.
