Down 6-18 at ½ time.
Won 26-18
5 tries
- Austin Dias 36'
- Allan Fitzgibbon 41'
- Jock Madden 45'
- Tom Freebairn 106'
- Allan Fitzgibbon 109'
The Western Suburbs Magpies have made it nine wins in a row to maintain second position on the ladder in The Knock-on Effect NSW Cup, after a determined 26-18 over St George Illawarra Dragons at Lidcombe Oval.
The match marked the return of St George Illawarra forward Jack De Belin but despite a strong start from the Dragons they were unable to maintain the momentum with the Magpies scoring the final two tries of the match to secure the win.
Boys are buzzing with nine wins in a row, we have a winning culture here at the moment that we are building,” Magpies hooker Jake Simpkins told NSWRL.com post-match.
“We were deprived of the ball a little bit in the first half, we knew we just needed to get our defence right and we would be able to put some more points.
“Defence is a massive part of the game, we were roaring in the second half and worked hard for each other.
“We said it would turn around, the wind can be a strong factor. We would get our chance, just had to hang in there.”
The Dragons were the first to score through fullback Tyrell Sloan, who scored out wide on the back of a great run. Siti Moceidreke hit the upright with the conversion before the the ball went over for a 6-0 lead.
The visitors went over again after a terrific pass for winger James Schiller on the left hand side of the field but conversion was waved away.
In the 13th minute De Belin returned to the field, with a loud cheer from the crowd supporting him as he ran on and the Magpies suffered a setback at the same time with fullback Zac Cini being assisted from the field with a right ankle injury.
Dragons halfback Adam Clune was in next for the Dragons after chasing a bouncing kick in goal before scoring the four pointer. Moceidreke successfully converted the try to extend their lead 16-nil.
In the 28th minute Austin Dias barged his way over for the Magpies to score their first points of the game. The conversion was successful.
A penalty goal on the buzzer from the Dragons allowed them to go in the sheds in control at 18-6 at half-time.
The Magpies came out strong in the second half, with Fitzgibbon scoring the first points of the second half before the conversion was waved away.
Magpies halfback Jock Madden was next in to score for the home side, converting his own try before a flying Fitzgibbon was in for his second of the day to help the home team to a lead for the first time that afternoon at 20-18.
They continued to dominate through the field as Tom Freebairn was next in after a great run, and successful conversion to extend the lead 26-18 and cap a memorable comeback.
https://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2021/05/29/magpies-v-dragons-nsw-cup-highlights-round-12/
