Western Suburbs threw down the gauntlet to the top echelons of the Ron Massey Cup with a blistering 104-4 demolition of Kingsgrove last weekend at Beverly Hills Park.
Backing up for their third match in eight days, Wests opened the scoring after four minutes with Shane Lalogafau showing a pretty handy left foot step at the end of a backline move. Michael Stevens converted for 6-0.
Wests were in again four minutes later, with Dayne Craig going down the short side after the Kingsgrove markers went the open to score untouched. Stevens split the uprights for 12-0.
From the next set, Dayne Craig put on a glorious ball for Sonny Bristow to draw Colts fullback Brett Manning and send Sam Aiga on his way. Michael Stevens slotted the simple conversion, the Magpies up 18-0 after ten minutes.
Three minutes later Wests grabbed their fourth try, as David Atuau steamed onto an inside ball from Michael Stevens and pushed his way through three Colts to touch down, destroying his 15 jersey in the process. Stevens iced the cake for a 24-0 lead.
Sam Aiga notched up his second four minutes later as he was on the end of a Gidley-esque flick pass from Tom Morrison. Michael Stevens was having a day out to make the lead 30-0.
There was no let-up from Wests as Tom Morrison added his name to the scorers list after a short side raid. Stevens made his points tally an even dozen as Wests led 36-0 after 21 minutes.
The black and whites immediately added to the score, as Jerome Mose grabbed his second of the season after a Tom Morrison break. Stevens potted the goal from in front to push the lead to 42-0.
The Magpie fans in attendance offered their headwear to Sam Aiga six minutes later as the Magpies custodian notched his hat-trick from a Shane Lalogafau pass after the back rower busted through the Colts line. Michael Stevens added the extras to extend the black and white’s advantage to 48-0.
The Magpies raised their bats a minute later as Wests threw caution to the wind, going wide early, with Shane Lalogafau beating seven with sheer strength on his way to the line. Michael Stevens added the two for 54-0.
Three minutes later Wests made it an even 60 as Sam Aiga turned provider for skyscraping prop Todd Makejev, who grabbed his first try for 2013. Michael Stevens put the goal away, Wests cruising at 60-0.
Kingsgrove had made a habit of grabbing early tries the last few weeks, but changed tack to notch a try right on half time, with Clarrie Moore drifting to the right before turning the ball back inside for Thibaud Braconnier to register the Colt’s first points. Sam Madah pushed the conversion attempt wide, the Magpies going to half time ahead by 60-4.
David Atuau opened the second half scoring with a bullocking dummy half run to touch down two minutes into the second stanza. Michael Stevens put the conversion away for a 66-4 lead after 42 minutes.
After playing the first 25 minutes with just two sets of six, Kingsgrove finally got hold of the ball and placed the Magpies defence under some pressure, which in turn allowed Kingsgrove to place Wests under pressure when the black and whites were in possession.
Wests, however, continued on their way after 58 minutes, with Nathan Waters scoring after a break by Sam Aiga, who offloaded despite heavy attention from Brett Manning. Michael Stevens added the two, Wests leading 72-4 after an hour.
Six minutes later the Magpies were scoring again, with Amanono Tovio on hand to collect the scraps after Jake Pearce kicked infield, the ball pinballing around before finding its way to Tovio. Stevens made it a baker’s dozen, the Magpies up 78-4.
Three minutes had elapsed before Jake Pearce got in on the tryscoring action with a grubber by Michael Stevens sitting up for the Magpies winger. Stevens proved he was human after all by slicing the conversion attempt.
Two minutes later Sam Aiga made it four for his afternoon’s work, capitalising on a Fusi Toutai break. Stevens got back on track to make it 88-4 with ten minutes to go.
Wests received a penalty for a steal with eight minutes on the clock and Fusi Toutai took advantage by zipping around a gallant but hurt Brett Manning. Stevens missed conversion attempt number sixteen of the afternoon, Wests by 92-4.
Four minutes later, David Atuau claimed a hat-trick of his own after a magnificent offload from Shane Lalogafau. Michael Stevens added the extras, Wests developing a spring in their step as they went in search of triple figures.
The Magpie faithful roared their approval when, with 90 seconds to play, Shane Lalogafau made it a hat-trick and hat-tricks for the Magpies with Michael Stevens turning an inside ball to put Sam Aiga clear before Lalogafau showed too much speed for the cover. Michael Stevens slotted the goal and Wests ran out 104-4 victors.
Magpies coach Leo Epifania said he was pleased that his boys turned up with the right attitude and refused to go easy, their resolve strengthened as Kingsgrove muscled up in the second half. Epifania also said he was pleased to see strong defence early, given Kingsgrove’s knack for grabbing early points.
Despite the scoreboard, Kingsgrove kept turning up in defence and never took a backward step in attack.
For the home side, Braeden Bastiste, Petros Thanos and Thibaud Braconnier were best, while for Western Suburbs, Sam Aiga was unbelieveable at the back, Sonny Bristow and Shane Lalogafau also playing out of their skin.
Kingsgrove will look to restore some pride and register their opening win for 2013 next weekend against Guildford, while Wests, as the competition’s form team, will take on ladder-topping Mounties in, arguably, the match of the year so far at Leichhardt Oval.
WESTERN SUBURBS 104 (Sam Aiga 4, David Atuau 3, Shane Lalogafau 3, Dayne Craig, Tom Morrison, Jerome Mose, Todd Makejev, Nathan Waters, Amanono Tovio, Jake Pearce, Fusi Toutai tries; Michael Stevens 16 from 18) def KINGSGROVE 4 (Thibaud Braconnier try; Sam Madah 0 from 1)
Penalties: Wests 4 Kingsgrove 3
Halftime: Wests 60 Kingsgrove 4
Western Suburbs
1. Sam Aiga
21. Sean Connor
2. Fusi Toutai
11. Jerome Mose
5. Amanono Tovio
6. Michael Stevens
7. Nathan Waters
13. Dean Rysko
9. Dayne Craig
10. Sonny Bristow
14. Shane Lalogafau
12. Tom Morrison
15/19. David Atuau
16. Chris Standing
17. Jake Pearce
18. Jordan Mose
22. Todd Makejev
Kingsgrove
1. Brett Manning
22. Sam Madah
6. Misieli Vaikeli
18. Daniel Mooka
24. John Murdaca
7. Guy Kenjar
23. Braeden Batiste
8. Zac Wedesweiller
14. Clarrie Moore
17. Mitch Mamary
25. Tuiala Togatasi
21. Matt Baker
13. Petros Thanos
4. Daniel Hansell
9. George Keates
10. Temata Rangi
16. Thibaud Braconnier
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