The Wentworthville Magpies have defeated the Canterbury Bulldogs 25-18 in their NSW Cup clash at Pirtek Stadium this afternoon.
The Magpies were first on the board when Zack Dockar-Clay caught some lazy defenders, spinning out of a tackle and crossed over the line. Luke Kelly’s conversion was successful, taking the home side’s lead to 6-0.
It was a mixed half with errors and incomplete sets from both sides, with a lack of last tackle options making it difficult for either side to cross the line.
The Bulldogs struck back when fullback Jaline Graham put in a good weighted kick for Jarrod McInally who scored in the corner and got the Bulldogs their first points of the game. Levi Dodd converted the try to lock the scores at 6-6 after 27 minutes of play.
The Magpies scored straight back when Luke Kelly decided to run the ball on the last tackle, which sent Jake Butler-Fleming down the side line before kicking in field for Lionel O’Mally who then crossed under the posts. Luke Kelly added the extras to put the home side back in front 12-6 with 10 minutes left of the first half.
An error from Ryan Matterson off the kick off handed possession back over to the Bulldogs. McInally thought he was in for his second after finding space on the left but the pass was ruled forward.
The Magpies found some momentum as Ben Crooks made a break down the field. Ryan Matterson found Fabian Goodall who backed himself, palming off a defender and scoring in the corner for the Magpies third of the afternoon. Luke Kelly successfully converted from the sideline and the Magpies went into the sheds ahead 18-6 at halftime.
The Bulldogs were almost the first to score in the second half through Lindon McGrady but some solid Wenty defence held him out.
The Magpies then kept the pressure on through Ryan Matterson, who put up a kick on the last and was the first chaser down to tackle the Bulldogs fullback in goal and gain his side a repeat set.
A strong attacking set from the Magpies saw Tepai Moeroa offload to Goodall to send him through for his second try of the afternoon. Kelly converted and the home side extended the lead 24-6.
The Bulldogs needed some possession and it was handed to them when the Magpies produced an error.
Tautalatasi Tasi kept the Bulldogs in the game when he scored in the corner. Levi Dodd converted, taking the score to 24-12 in the 55th minute.
With 20 minutes left, the game started to get a bit heated as Richie Fa’aoso produced another strong performance but was penalised for face palming his marker, sending the Bulldogs back on the attack.
The strong Magpies defence kept the Bulldogs out and Fa’aoso then led his side in attack by charging up the field.
Errors starting to appear again from bother sides, which changed the momentum of the game.
McGrady put a kick up on the last tackle that was knocked back by Wenty into the arms of Bulldogs winger Tasi and the visitors had another attacking opportunity with six minutes left on the clock.
The Bulldogs kept themselves in the game when Herman Ese’ese made a strong run towards the defensive line before offloading to Jarrod McInally to cross for his second try of the game. A successful conversion by Dodd kept his side a converted try behind, trailing the home side 24-18 with four minutes left.
The Magpies were scrambling to hang on after giving away a penalty and the Bulldogs looked to capitalise down the sideline before the pass was ruled forward.
Beau Henry kicked a field goal for the Magpies with less than two minutes to go to secure the win for Wentworthville, defeating the Bulldogs 25-18.
