It was a strong weekend for the Wests Tigers Pathways system, with six of ten teams recording wins in games from Port Macquarie to Auckland.
The standout performers were the Macarthur Wests Tigers, who claimed both the Laurie Daley Cup and Andrew Johns Cup titles to complete unbeaten seasons.
Across the Tasman, it was also a successful trip to New Zealand, with the Wests Tigers Jersey Flegg side and Western Suburbs Magpies Harold Matthews and SG Ball Cup teams recording impressive victories over the Warriors.
Macarthur Wests Tigers
Andrew Johns Cup vs Newcastle-Maitland Region Knights: 26–16 win
The Macarthur Wests Tigers created history, claiming their first Andrew Johns Cup title and completing an unbeaten season in Port Macquarie for the NSWRL Regional Representatives Grand Final Day.
The Knights opened the scoring with a first-minute try, but Macarthur responded with a strong defensive effort, as well as first half tries from Lucas Bentham and Adam El Masri, both converted by Masen Mallia, putting Macarthur ahead 12-6 at halftime.
The second half saw Bryce Blatch and Hamish Butler help extend the Tigers lead to a comfortable 26–6.
The Knights added two late tries, but the result was already in hand as Macarthur secured a 26–16 victory to conclude a historic unbeaten premiership season.
Laurie Daley Cup vs Northern Rivers Titans: 40–22 win (after extra time)
The Macarthur Wests Tigers took on the Northern Rivers Titans in the second final of the day.
After a tight opening, the Tigers found their rhythm through Kye Penfold, who sparked a strong attacking surge. A double from Penfold and a try from Daniel Lafolafo, converted by Drake Ayers, helped build a solid 18–6 lead heading into halftime.
The Titans fought back to level the scores at full-time, forcing extra time.
Macarthur proved too strong in the added 10 minutes, keeping the ball out of the Titans possession while piling on tries through James Lanyon, Jake Gaffney and Jordan Truckle to run away with a 40–22 win and cap off an undefeated season for both Macarthur sides.
Western Suburbs Magpies
Harold Matthews vs New Zealand Warriors: 26–16 win
The Magpies travelled to New Zealand alongside the NRL squad and other Wests Tigers Pathways teams to take on the Warriors.
Tries on both wings from Sebastian Taylor and Josh Ratu were not enough to hold the lead early, with the Warriors heading into halftime ahead 16–8.
Pat Richards’ side came out strongly after the break, with second rower, Jerome Cosgrave and centre, Kingston Finau scoring converted tries in the opening seven minutes of the second half to take a 20–16 lead.
A Kingston Finau assist sent Moni Tumanuvao over on the left edge with eight minutes remaining, and the successful conversion sealed a 26–16 win at Bruce Pulman Park.
SG Ball Cup vs New Zealand Warriors: 32–26 win
The Warriors opened strongly, scoring the first 10 points to put the visitors under early pressure.
The Magpies responded with 14 unanswered points of their own, with tries to Josh Vella, Leviticus Tovia and Aidan Richards giving them a 14–10 halftime lead.
A double from centre, Luke Tiberti and a try from prop, Cruz Tauaifaiga extended the lead to 32–16. Despite a late push from the Warriors, the Magpies held on to secure a 32–26 victory.
Both victories helped end their seasons on a high, with the Magpies having byes in their last round.
NSW Cup vs New Zealand Warriors: 29–28 loss
Western Suburbs Magpies travelled to New Zealand for the fourth round of the Knock On Effect NSW Cup.
The Magpies struck early following a quick play-the-ball from Ben Stevanovic, allowing Solomone Saukuru to score in the corner.
After the Warriors responded, a brilliant charge down by Mavrik Geyer, followed by a clever flick pass to Javon Andrews, restored the Magpies lead to 10–6.
The Warriors levelled the scores following a Magpies error and then took a narrow 12–10 lead into halftime after a 39th minute penalty goal.
A Jack Attard double, along with a second try to Saukuru, saw the Magpies fight back to level the scores at 28–28.
However, a late field goal from Luke Hanson proved the difference, with the Warriors securing a narrow 29–28 win.
Wests Tigers
Jersey Flegg vs New Zealand Warriors: 36–30 win
It was a highly competitive contest in Auckland, with the Warriors leading 16–14 at halftime before extending their advantage to 30–20 with 18 minutes remaining.
A Bailey Smith try under the posts in the 70th minute sparked a late comeback, before Heith Pritchard crossed to level the scores, with Logan Brookes conversion giving the Tigers the lead.
The win was sealed in dramatic fashion, with Christian Taupau-Moors scoring on the final play to secure a 36–30 victory and end the Warriors three-game winning streak.
Lisa Fiaola Cup vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs: 22–4 loss
It was a tough outing for the Wests Tigers Lisa Fiaola side against the top-of-the-table Bulldogs at Leichhardt Oval.
Despite an early try from Khiarna Munro on the wing and a strong overall effort, the Tigers were unable to maintain momentum.
The Bulldogs responded strongly, ultimately scoring 22 unanswered points.
Tarsha Gale Cup vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs: 22–12 loss
The Wests Tigers faced a strong Bulldogs outfit in the second-to-last round of the Tarsha Gale Cup competition.
Standout performers included May Fuimaono off the bench, along with try scorers, Saige Tautalafua and Fa'alagilagi Faimasui Brown.
In a hard-fought contest, the Tigers trailed 10–6 at halftime and were forced to play with 12 players for a third of the match. Despite their efforts, they ultimately fell 22–12.
Both results leave finals positions to be decided in the final round, with multiple outcomes set to shape both the Lisa Fiaola and Tarsha Gale ladders.
Balmain Tigers
Harold Matthews vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs: 30–8 win
Balmain made a fast start, with a double from James Kerr and a Hamish Malone-assisted try for Michel Helou, helping the side to a 12–0 lead inside the opening 14 minutes.
The Tigers led 12–4 at halftime before extending their advantage in the second half. Kody Baxter and Lachlan Ellis added further tries, while Kerr completed his hat-trick with a long-range effort through the middle.
Fullback, Thomas Aroyan converted all second half tries as Balmain secured a strong 30–8 victory.
SG Ball Cup vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs: 42–6 loss
The Bulldogs opened the scoring before Balmain responded through Zach Khattar in the 14th minute, with Christian Azzi converting to bring the scores level at 6–6.
The Tigers remained competitive through much of the first half, but momentum shifted late as the Bulldogs took a 20–6 lead into the break.
In a challenging second half, Balmain were unable to regain control, with the Bulldogs running out 42–6 winners.
