Wentworthville has kicked off the NSW Cup season with a comprehensive 32-18 win over Mounties at Parramatta Stadium.
Both teams traded tries early in the opening 20 minutes, in very warm conditions before Wenty kicked away to lead 20-6 at the break. Magpies lock Pat O'Hanlon crossed for a pair of tries in the opening stanza thanks to some crafty work from hooker Dean Parata on both occasions, the first coming from a nice kick close to the line while the second was the result of a deft inside ball.
Jarome Mackenzie and Jake Mullaney also scored four-pointers for Wenty in the first half, Mullaney kicking through for Mackenzie to cross in the corner, only for the duo to combine again for Mullaney's try which came from a Mackenzie chip kick into the in-goal area which was pounced on by Mullaney.
Mounties attempted to apply some pressure in the second half with a couple tries, twice getting to within eight points of the Magpies but it was Mackenzie and Mullaney again who proved the difference as they both crossed for their second tries, ensuring a confidence building victory for Wenty in their first outing of the season.
Wentworthville 32 (Pat O'Hanlon 2, Jarome Mackenzie 2, Jake Mullaney 2 tries; Jake Mullaney 3 goals, Api Pewhairangi one goal)
Mounties 18 (Matt Allwood, Haydon Hodge, Jake Foster tries; David Farkas 3 goals)
Both teams traded tries early in the opening 20 minutes, in very warm conditions before Wenty kicked away to lead 20-6 at the break. Magpies lock Pat O'Hanlon crossed for a pair of tries in the opening stanza thanks to some crafty work from hooker Dean Parata on both occasions, the first coming from a nice kick close to the line while the second was the result of a deft inside ball.
Jarome Mackenzie and Jake Mullaney also scored four-pointers for Wenty in the first half, Mullaney kicking through for Mackenzie to cross in the corner, only for the duo to combine again for Mullaney's try which came from a Mackenzie chip kick into the in-goal area which was pounced on by Mullaney.
Mounties attempted to apply some pressure in the second half with a couple tries, twice getting to within eight points of the Magpies but it was Mackenzie and Mullaney again who proved the difference as they both crossed for their second tries, ensuring a confidence building victory for Wenty in their first outing of the season.
Wentworthville 32 (Pat O'Hanlon 2, Jarome Mackenzie 2, Jake Mullaney 2 tries; Jake Mullaney 3 goals, Api Pewhairangi one goal)
Mounties 18 (Matt Allwood, Haydon Hodge, Jake Foster tries; David Farkas 3 goals)