Ron Massey Cup - Rnd 2 Match Review

Windsor overcame an early scare to dispatch Western Suburbs 50-22 last Saturday at Campbelltown Stadium.

The late inclusion of Wests Tigers young gun Matt Groat seemed to boost the enthusiasm of the young magpies and Groat made an immediate impact, touching down after just two minutes, a strong run up the middle of the Wolves defence ensuring that Windsor knew they were dealing with an NRL player. David Atuau added the extras from in front for an early 6-0 lead.

Wests showed plenty of enthusiasm and creativity, even if they occasionally lacked for execution, with the magpie’s energy also costing them some silly penalties.

However, Wests overcame this and added to their early lead on 20 minutes, with Adrian Haangana going through a gaping hole behind the Windsor markers to touch down. David Atuau converted from a simple position to extend the Wests lead to 12-0.

Seven minutes later, Wests were in again, Jerome Mose touching down out wide after an enormous show of strength by Mason Harrison to stand and offload. Atuau was unsuccessful with the far more difficult conversion attempt from fives metres inside the western touchline, the Magpies cruising at 16-0.

Then came a seven minute period leading into the break which shook the confidence of the black and whites to the core. Seven minutes before the break, Jake Butler-Fleming found himself with plenty of space to get around his opposite number to score. Liam Ayoub missed the conversion, Windsor trailing 16-4.

Four minutes later, a dummy half run from Liam Ayoub showed that Wests were also having problems marking up behind their markers, Ayoub darting through the gap and racing 60 metres despite the despairing dive of Sam Aiga. Ayoub converted his own try from in front to reduce the deficit to 16-10.

Then, just as the first half was winding down, Windsor kicked as the siren sounded, and what could only be described as a room service bounce found Eddie Aiona streaming through to collect the ball and touch down under the posts. Liam Ayoub added the extras to leave the Magpies and Wolves locked at 16-16 at the break.

The interval seemed to knock Wests around, with plenty of ill discipline and dropped ball in the second half.

Windsor took just 11 minutes to find the line, with Atonio Pelasasa strolling through some terrible defence to score. Liam Ayoub converted to put Windsor in front for the first time with just under half an hour remaining.

Two minutes later, Hutch Maiava was on the receiving end of a hot potato raid down the Wests left hand side to put Windsor out by more than a single score. Ayoub was doing it easy bynow, easily converting for a 28-16 lead.

The game took a dour turn across the next ten minutes, and the drop in intensity was shown up perfectly by Chris Satae, who strolled across field off a goal line drop out before finding a hole in the Magpie line. Ayoub added the extras for a 34-16 lead.

Windsor then turned on the flair three minutes later, with Nick Mataia darting down the right wing before kicking desperately in field, a surprisingly fast Krys Freeman backing up to dive on the loose ball for a try under the posts. Ayoub added his fifth goal of the day for a 40-16 lead with 13 minutes to play.

Five minutes later, Windsor found room on the left flank, with Kieren Croft outpacing Sam Aiga with a spectacular lunge for the corner. Liam Ayoub was unable to add the extras, Windsor leading 44-16 as the lights kicked in.

Four minutes later, a Ben Stewart grubber kick found Liam Ayoub steaming in to add his second of the day. He proceeded to convert his own try, and Windsor had hit the half century with four minutes on the clock.

A plucky Wests would have the last say, though, with a wide kick bouncing kindly for Fusi Toutai to score as time ticked over. David Atuau piloted the conversion through from the touchline for a 50-22 scoreline at fulltime.

Windsor’s halves dominated, with Hutch Maiava leading the way in the pack. For the Magpies, Sam Aiga and Dean Rysko again led the way, with Inno Innoesio showing great enthusiasm off the bench.

Next weekend, Windsor head home to face off against Guildford, while Wests head up the M7 to face off against Blacktown.

WINDSOR 50 (Liam Ayoub 2, Jake Butler-Fleming, Eddie Aiona, Atonio Pelasasa, Hutch Maiava, Chris Satae, Krys Freeman, Kieren Croft tries; Liam Ayoub 7 from 9) DEF WESTS 22 (Matt Groat, Adrian Haangana, Jerome Mose, Fusi Toutai tries; David Atuau 3 from 4)

Penalties: Wests 6 Windsor 6

Halftime: Wests 16 Windsor 16


Western Suburbs

1. Sam Aiga
2. Tuiniua Paiaaua
3. Fusi Toutai
11. Mason Harrison
16. Tala Mapesone
6. Nathan Rumsby
15. David Atuau
8. Dean Rysko
9. Matt Jones
22. Matt Groat
4. Jerome Mose
12. Tom Morrison
13. Adrian Haangana

14. Matiasi Toutai
10. Seffa Silafau
20. Inno Innoesio
18. Soni Passi


Windsor

1. Adam Williams
2. Nick Mataia
11. Kieren Croft
4. Jake Butler-Fleming
5. Eddie Aiono
6. Ben Stewart ©
7. Liam Ayoub
17. Sam Hollis
9. Krys Freeman
18. Felise Kini Taukafa
8. Ryan Tramonte
12. Shenelle Haumono
13. Rangi Tangiloa
14. Chris Satae
15. Atonio Pelasasa
16. Iszak Taalili
10. Hutch Maiava

Match report by Keith Topolski