The Wentworthville Magpies have suffered a defeat to the Wests Tigers after a late flurry of points saw the Tigers post a 31-18 victory in their back and forth Round Two NSW Cup clash at Leichardt Oval.
The Magpies, who were looking to earn their first win of the season after falling to the North Sydney Bears in Round One, began their clash with plenty of energy and enthusiasm; something that had been missing in their Round One clash.
The Magpies took only four minutes to get over the line with their first try, with Luke Kelly throwing a cut out pass to centre Ryan Morgan to go over untouched down the right edge. The conversion was successful from Kelly, providing the Magpies an early 6-0 lead.
The Tigers struck back quickly and levelled the score after some quick hands from their backline saw winger Kurtis Rowe crossing in the corner.
With the Magpies on the attack in the 15th minute, Kelly placed a pinpoint crossfield kick for Ben Crooks to bat it back to John Folau to put the Magpies back infront. The conversion from out wide was success from Kelly.
The Tigers crossed for two more tries to Delouise Hoeter and Kurtis Rower before the half time siren, and a converted penalty right on half time saw the Tigers head into the break with a 18-12 lead.
The second half was a tough battle for both sides, as they looked to hold the ball and fight for field position and Magpies winger Ben Crooks was able to level the game when he kicked through a grubber for himself and was the first man to plant the ball.
The conversion from Kelly was successful with the score 18 all in the 62nd minute.
With the scores level and the game entering the final minutes, the Tigers halfback Josh Drinkwater kicked a field goal to give the home side a 19-18 lead with five minutes remaining.
The Tigers crossed two more tries in the final three minutes through Wesley Lolo and Shannon McDonnell, blowing out the score to 31-18 as they secured a 13 point victory in a tightly contested affair that went down to the wire.
The Magpies head to Mt Smart Stadium this weekend for their Round Three clash against the NZ Warriors.
WESTS TIGERS 31 (K Rowe 2, D Houter, W Lolo, S McDonnell tries; J Drinkwater 5 goals; Drinkwater field goal)
def
WENTWORTHVILLE MAGPIES 18 (R Morgan, B Crooks, J Folau tries; L Kelly 3 goals)
