Rnd 5 - Ron Massey Cup - Match Review

Burwood-North Ryde recorded their third win of the season in a scrappy game last Sunday at North Sydney Oval, dispatching poor Western Suburbs outfit 26-18.

Looking to build on their 30 point whipping on Kingsgrove last weekend, Burwood made the worst possible start with a knock-on in their first set of possession. Wests took full advantage, with Joel Jasmin putting Tom Morrison through a small hole in the United line. On the next play, Wests halfback David Attua barged his way through a still scrambling line to open the scoring for the afternoon. Attua added his own conversion and Wests led 6-0.

West seemed determined to do everything they could to let Burwood back into the game, with handling and discipline being problems in equal measure for the Magpies. However, for all their bumbling and fumbling, the Magpies doubled their lead on 20 minutes, as David Attua again found space, stepping through two tacklers and carrying another over the line with him. Jai Karam added the two, and Wests led 12-0 at the quarter mark.

However, the Magpie defence was proving to be brittle on the flanks, and five minutes later, Jordan Tongahai scooted over in the corner after a slick backline move. John Nicholas was unsuccessful with the conversion attempt, leaving Burwood eight down with 15 minutes until the interval.

Wests couldn’t believe their luck when a Burwood backline spread resulted in the tryscorer Tongahai running into touch without a hand laid on him. However, Wests coughed up possession cheaply two tackles later and the Burwood backs had the last laugh, with a neat kick being followed through by a bullocking Matt Evans, who touched down in an almost identical spot to Tongahai eight minutes earlier. BJ Nathan was unsuccessful with the conversion attempt, and Wests’ trend of conceding late points was biting them again.

Burwood followed in the footsteps of the Magpies’ last three opponents by recording a third try right on halftime, with former Magpie Latu Fifita crashing through some soft goal line defence out wide. A change of kicker to Matt Evans bore no fruit for United, with Wests and Burwood going to the break at 12 all.

The second half began with a string of Burwood errors and, just like the first half, the team making the errors scored first, with Joe Rokoqo cruising around Tala Mapesone to put Burwood in front for the first time in the match. Burwood finally found kicking success, with Jordan Tongahai adding the extras on 53 minutes.

Burwood could not find a fifth tackle for the next 15 minutes, either dropping the ball or being gifted a penalty by a poorly disciplined Wests side. A penalty for stealing the ball just after an hour gave Burwood a chance at extending the lead to eight, and Jordan Tongahai obliged by potting the penalty goal, Burwood leading 20-12 with 15 to play.

Burwood sealed the match with seven minutes on the clock, a left hand move creating an overlap and three men running at Amanono Tovio proved too much for the Magpies winger to handle as Jordan Tongahai registered Burwood’s fifth try of the day. Tongahai converted his own try and Wests looked done for the day.

However, Wests weren’t finished for the day, with their go to man from last year’s NSW Cup team, Seffa Silafau, pushing away some tired United defence to score. Jhy Karam slotted a booming touchline conversion to bring the margin back to eight, but Wests’ final attacking raid ended, appropriately, with a knock-on.

For Burwood, captain and former Magpie Joe Flint was impressive, while Jordan Tongahai and Daniel Johnson took the game to Wests. For the black and whites, Dean Rysko toiled hard in a beaten pack, while Amanono Tovio and Sam Aiga worked hard. That a winger was among the best three for each team spoke volumes for the standard of play.

Next weekend, Burwood pay a visit to McCredie Oval to take on Guildford, while Wests take part on a Magpie war against Asquith at Campbelltown, both games at 3-00pm.

BURWOOD-NORTH RYDE 26 (Jordan Tongahai 2, Matt Evans, Latu Fifita, Joe Rokoqo tries; Jordan Tongahai 3 from 3, John Nicholas 0 from 1, BJ Nathan 0 from 1, Matt Evans 0 from 1) def WESTERN SUBURBS 18 (David Attua 2, Seffa Silafau tries; Jai Karam 2 from 2, David Attua 1 from 1)

Penalties: Burwood 10 Wests 3

Half time: Burwood 12 Wests 12



Western Suburbs

19. Sam Aiga
2. Tuiniua Paiaaua
3. Fusi Toutai
4. Tala Mapesone
5. Amanono Tovio
1. Jai Karam
7. David Attua
8. Dean Rysko (C)
9. Joel Jasmin
10. Tom Morrison
11. Jerome Mose
12. Mason Harrison
18. Seffa Silafau

6. Nathan Rumsby
13. Todd Makejev
14. Matiasi Toutai
22. Jamie Anyskiewicz


Burwood-North Ryde

1. Matt Evans
2. BJ Nathan
21. Tim Winitana
4. Joe Rokoqo
5. Jordan Tongahai
6. John Nicholas
7. Daniel Johnson
22. Ilija Radan
14. Brayden Dwyer
20. Siupeli Huihahau
11. Sione Fakahua
12. Joe Mataele
13. Joe Flint (C)

10. Latu Fifita
15. Mark Fakahua
16. Elias Sukkar
24. Daniel Fepuleai