The Wentworthville Magpies have held off a second half fight back from the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs to progress into the third week of the Canterbury Cup finals.
The Magpies had their work cut out for them, coming up against the reigning Canterbury Cup.
They put on a master class in the first half, but the game slipped from their control in the second forty minutes and they forfeited the lead.
First points came in the form of a penalty goal off the boot of Rhys Davies.
Forwards Tim Mannah and Peni Terepo powered the pack forward, with runs which were sure to put fear in the opposition.
Veteran Mannah was rewarded for his hard runs, with a try in the 17th minute next to the posts.
The Magpies built pressure with strong field position and the scoring started snowballing.
Captain Will Smith stretched over the line for a meat pie, as did Rhys Davies minutes later.
A lapse in defence saw Morgan Harper pick up try for the Bulldogs on the stroke of halftime, in an otherwise dominant half by the Magpies.
The Bulldogs started the second half fired up and clawed their way back into the game.
They took their opportunities, with Jayden Okunbor and John Olive each collecting a try, before Toa Mata'afa evened up the score line with 15 minutes to go.
The Magpies had plenty of opportunities in attack, but points went begging until George Jennings scooped up a loose ball in the dying minutes to run 80 metres and score the match winner.
The Magpies now play the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the preliminary final next week.
Wenty Magpies team song
