The Wentworthville Magpies have made history by recording the first-ever win at Bankwest Stadium with a 20-14 victory over Western Suburbs Magpies on Monday.
The clash was billed as the perfect curtain-raiser for the blockbuster Easter Monday clash between the Eels and Tigers – made all the more special as being the first ever Rugby League game at the new world-class facility.
Livewire fullback Bevan French reigned supreme with two first-half tries before delivering a bullet left-to-right pass for Greg Leleisiuao in the 60th minute for the match-winning try.
The opening try loomed for Wests hooker Jacob Liddle when he found open space through the middle but the speed of French prevailed when he forced him over the sideline.
It was French who then made the historic breakthrough with the first ever try at Bankwest as he supported a Rhys Davies break following a series of offloads in just the seventh minute.
Wests would earn a quick reprieve, however, when Kane Bradley crossed in the left-hand corner following a slick short-side raid just five minutes after conceding their first.
They would extend their lead when Robbie Rochow sent Paul Momirovski over for back-to-back tries, but their lead would be short-lived as some French magic in the 29th minute restored Wentworthville's lead.
French latched onto a towering bomb with a leap over no.1 counterpart Dylan Smith for his second of the contest, with Brad Keighran converting from in-front to take a 14-8 lead.
Wentworthville proved defiant with their defence in the opening stages of the second-half but Wests persistence was rewarded when Joseph Ratuvakacereivalu powered his way over from close-range in the 48th minute.
But as Wentworthville threatened to snatch back the lead it was French who again emerged as the game breaker with a bullet pass to Lelesiuao sending him over in the right-hand corner with just 20 minutes remaining.
Handling errors from Wentworthville cruelled their chance of earning valuable field position in the late stages but their scrambling defence proved the difference when they forced Bradley into touch with as the full-time siren neared.
