This weekend saw 10 of our Pathways sides playing across NSW, from Camden to Gosford, with the major news being that both of our Macarthur Wests Tigers sides made it through to the NSWRL regional representatives Grand Final Day in Port Macquarie.
The sides respectively won their Andrew Johns and Laurie Daley Cup semi-finals at The Oaks; with a win this coming weekend a fitting way to cap off two undefeated seasons.
Macarthur Wests Tigers
Andrew Johns Cup vs North Coast Bulldogs: 28–14 win
Adam Whitelaw’s side continued their unbeaten 2026 campaign with a strong victory at The Oaks.
The scoring opened in the first three minutes, with Zedric Vaiau crossing after a 50-metre run.
A scoreless period followed, with a standout effort from second-rower Denham Tsagalas, who showed great determination early in the semi-final.
Jesse Ropata then provided a clever dummy-half assist to Jyai Milford, who crossed for his first try of the season. Another try to fullback Bainyn Wood, again off a dummy-half play from Adam El-Masri, extended the lead to 18–0, with Masen Mallia converting all first-half tries.
The Bulldogs managed a try before the break but further tries to Bryce Blatch and Pauesi Maposua ensured a 28-14 Macarthur victory.
Laurie Daley Cup vs Newcastle-Maitland Region Knights: 38–12 win
The scoring started early, with Kye Penfold scoring under the posts, giving his side a 6–0 lead in the fifth minute. The Knights responded moments later, bringing the scores level.
From there, the Tigers took control, piling on six unanswered tries through Drake Ayers, Jake Gaffney, Vincent De Giorgio, Keynan Pes, James Lanyon, and Harry Bickhoff.
The Knights scored a late consolation try, but the Tigers held their strong form, securing a convincing 38–12 win.
Wests Tigers
Lisa Fiaola vs Illawarra Steelers: 18–6 win
The Wests Tigers extended their winning streak to four matches with a strong performance against Illawarra.
Strong defence from the Tigers kept the visitors scoreless in the first half.
A powerful run from front-rower Bessy Combo set up good field position before Remy Roper crossed from dummy-half to open the scoring, with Charlotte Withers converting. The Steelers responded soon after, making it 6–6 with 20 minutes remaining.
Olivia Large put the Tigers back in front in the 50th minute, before Zaiah Williams sealed the result with a double, including a try on the final play.
The win leaves the Tigers just outside the top four with two rounds remaining.
Tarsha Gale vs Illawarra Steelers: 20–8 loss
The side made a strong start, with Amirah El-Abdallah setting up Saige Tautalafua for an early try.
Despite the Tigers efforts, the Steelers responded with 16 unanswered points, putting the game out of reach for the Tigers.
An injury in the first half forced a reshuffle in positions, including starting hooker Paige Attard moving to the wing.
The second half began impressively, with Attard scoring to bring the Tigers back into the contest at 16–8. However, the Steelers extended their lead late to seal a 20–8 victory.
Jersey Flegg vs South Sydney Rabbitohs: 22–22 draw
The Wests Tigers U21 side started strongly in Gosford, with Sonny Edwards-Moeke opening the scoring with a 23rd-minute try, converted by Logan Brookes.
Heith Pritchard helped extend the lead by scoring an impressive driving try on the other side of the pitch, pushing the Tigers into a 10–0 lead with 11 minutes to go in the half. The Rabbitohs got back into the match with a try heading into halftime.
Despite tries from Denzel Shaafhausen-Mino and Ryder Huth, the scores ended in a deadlock at 22–22 in the 76th minute, with either side unable to break the stalemate.
Western Suburbs Magpies
Harold Matthews vs Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs: 26–24 loss
The Magpies were quick out of the gates, with a thunderous run from Jerome Gosgrave earning him a try in the opening five minutes.
They extended their lead through tries from Jeremiah Leota-Brown, Sam Francis, and Kingston Finau, going into the half up 18–6.
Another try from a 30-metre run by Monson Hopate extended the lead further to 24–6.
A later swing in momentum saw the Bulldogs take the lead, with Western Suburbs ultimately going down 26–24.
SG Ball Cup vs Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs: 26–22 loss
The Magpies produced a spirited performance, particularly in the opening half, where they started strong, leading 22–4 at half-time. This was off the back of tries from Peter Taai, Siotame Havea Jr, Glassie Glassie, and Curtis Lakeman.
Other impressive performers included second-rower Cruz Tauaifaiga, who made strong runs and defended well, as well as Alex Futialo, who was also great in attack.
The Bulldogs responded with an impressive run of tries late in the game, and despite the Magpies best efforts, the Bulldogs took the lead with less than five minutes left and held on for a 26–22 result.
NSW Cup vs South Sydney Rabbitohs: 20–12 loss
The Western Suburbs Magpies NSW Cup had a strong performance against South Sydney away in Gosford.
Although the side was down 20–0 with 20 minutes left in the match, they did not falter, keeping pressure on the Rabbitohs until the very end.
The Magpies mounted a late response, with tries from Will Craig and Jack Attard, but this was not enough to claw back the lead, going down 20–12.
Balmain Tigers
Harold Matthews vs Manly Warringah Sea Eagles: 20–10 win
Balmain have kept up their winning ways over Manly-Warringah at 4 Pines Park.
After conceding early, Balmain took control heading into the second half, locking things up at 10–10 at halftime.
Balmain maintained their intensity after the break, taking control of the rest of the game, with Zac Bechara and Sione Maea scoring tries, finishing the match winning 20–10.
After a slow start to the season, the Tigers have secured their second win in a row.
SG Ball Cup vs Manly Warringah Sea Eagles: 28–16 loss
The Tigers showed plenty of determination against a tough Sea Eagles outfit, despite dropping 10 points to start the game.
Roy Asotasi’s side got back into the match, drawing level off the back of tries from Blake Van Drie and winger Ben Lawerence. Despite trailing at the break, the side stayed in the fight with their fifth-placed opponents
While Manly were able to pull away with the win, the Tigers showed a lot of promise heading into their match against the Bulldogs this coming weekend.
