In a match which defied words, Western Suburbs defeated Burwood-North Ryde 46-28 last Saturday at Leichhardt Oval.
Burwood finally opened the scoring after 22 minutes, as Kava Utoikamanu bustled his way through the Magpies defence, who were guilty of allowing a string of offloads. Barry Nathan slotted the conversion straight down the middle, putting Burwood ahead 6-0.
Burwood struck again from the kick-off, continuing their offloading game, Ajay Vaivaka somehow managing to wrestle down through four Magpie defenders. The much simpler conversion for Barry Nathan was just as easily potted, with the game taking an about face as Burwood led 12-0 after 27 minutes.
Wests could not hold on in the tackles, and Burwood nearly went over again, only to be held up. Two tackles later, though, Joe Flint stepped his way through to score adjacent to the posts and, courtesy of Barry Nathan’s kick, Burwood were now sailing at 18-0 with eight minutes to the interval.
Wests needed something, and a fabulous short ball behind the ruck by Sam Aiga sent Daniel Abou-Sleiman clear, Nuk Akeripa backing up to touch down under the uprights. Dayne Craig added the extras to cut Burwood’s lead back to a dozen with five until the break.
Wests sought to play Burwood at their own game, and gave the ball some air, but it was Dayne Craig getting out of dummy half and going 40 metres to score without a hand laid on him. Craig converted his own try, and Wests were back within six and looking dangerous just three out from halftime.
Wests locked it up in an incredible finish to the half, as Veiru Mapesone picked up from dummy half after a procession downfield on the back of a penalty to march through some soft Burwood defence. Dayne Craig converted with the siren in the background, knotting the scores at 18 at oranges.
Burwood came out determined to continue their free-flowing style, Smaiu Latu taking the offloading, kicking and regathering before scooting 35 metres to score, Barry Nathan’s successful conversion attempt put Burwood back in front five minutes into the second half.
Burwood struck from the kick-off, Ajay Vaivaka again burrowing through the ruck. The strength of the wind prevented Nathan converting, Burwood up 28-18 ten into the second half.
A penalty for a shoulder charge allowed Western Suburbs to set up their attack in Burwood’s red zone, but it was a simple dummy half burrow from Dayne Craig which yielded points, Wests back to within four after Craig converted his own try.
Dayne Craig was tearing Burwood apart up the middle, and he sent Nu Akeripa clear through the ruck, Daniel Abou-Sleiman being returned the favour from the first half to touch down under the posts. Dayne Craig converted and, with 18 minutes remaining, Wests led for the first time by 30-28.
Wests were looking strong, but Luke Williams chose not to run, instead dummying and watching a ga the size of Sydney Heads open up for his first try. Dayne Craig vonerted, and Wests were ahead by eight, eleven minutes from time.
Burwood saw red after a penalty for a late tackle on Veiru Mapesone, but their anger didn’t translate to their defence, as Tala Mapesone was the beneficiary of a 5-1 overlap on the right wing. Dayne Craig pushed the kick wide, the score 40-28 in Wests favour with three to go.
Burwood allowed their frustrations to creep in, and a succession of penalties allowed Wests some field position, Veiru Mapesone going through to score off another 5-1 overlap. Ayne Craig converted from alongside the uprights, Wests running out 46-28 winners in a topsy turvy clash.
WESTERN SUBURBS 46 (Dayne Craig 2, Veiru Mapesone 2, Nu Akeripa, Daniel Abou-Sleiman, Luke Williams, Tala Mapesone tries; Dayne Craig 7 from 8) defeated BURWOOD-NORTH RYDE 28 (Ajay Vaivaka 2, Kava Utoikamanu, Joe Flint, Samiu Latu tries; Barry Nathan 4 from 5)
Penalties: Wests 11 Burwood 6
Halftime: Wests 18 Burwood 18
WESTERN SUBURBS
25. Daniel Abou-Sleiman
2. Tala Mapasone
14. Shawn Craig
1. Sam Aiga
5. Jerome Mose
4. Nu Akeripa
6. Jacob Folent
22. Sonny Bristow
9. Dayne Craig
10. Tunui Maurangi
11. Tom Morrison
13. Luke Williams
3. Rusty Bristow
7. Veiru Mapesone
8. Mason Talolua
17. Fred Tevago
19. Elimeleki Taumalolo
BURWOOD
1. Samiu Latu
23. Rory Brownlie
4. Barry Nathan
22. Scott Williams
25. Blake Dunscombe
6. David Atuau
7. James Coote
17. Brendan Tarrant
9. Ajay Vaivaka
15. Ilija Radan
11. Kava Utoikamanu
16. Kilifi Tia-Kilifi
13. Joe Flint
8. Tarek El Masri
10. James Livock
19. Sione Kite
20. Mitchell Devine
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