It was another successful weekend for Wests Tigers in Round 4, capped off by a brilliant Easter Monday with wins for the NRL and Intrust Super Premiership sides.
The results sees Ivan Cleary's and Brett Hodgson's teams move in to the top four of their respective competitions — the NRL side sitting fourth on for-and-against while the ISP side sit atop the ladder.
Both sides will face tougher tests next weekend, however, with the first-grade side taking on the Melbourne Storm at Mount Smart Stadium while reserve grade face the New Zealand Warriors at Leichhardt Oval.
NRL
Wests Tigers 30 def. Parramatta Eels 20 at ANZ Stadium
A scoreline that doesn't do the game justice, Wests Tigers never looked like they were going to be troubled after fighting back from an early 6-0 deficit. The right edge attack of Benji Marshall, Robbie Rochow, Esan Marsters and Corey Thompson looked as good as any in the league as Cleary's men piled on the points to lead 30-6 midway through the second half before easing up and allowing the Eels to hit back late.
ISP
Western Suburbs Magpies 44 def. Wentworthville Magpies 4 at ANZ Stadium
Boosted by the inclusion of a number of first-grade players, Western Suburbs again showed their class with a big win over a hapless Wentworthville side on Easter Monday — running in seven tries to one. David Nofoaluma scored two tries in his return to the competition, while Mahe Fonua also bagged a brace.
JERSEY FLEGG
Parramatta Eels 22 def. Wests Tigers 8 at Hillier Oval
Wests Tigers Jersey Flegg side were unable to secure their first win of the season, going down 22-8 to a solid Parramatta side on Easter Saturday. Craig Wilson's side had chances to hit back against the Eels after falling behind early but were unable to find the final pass or kick needed to truly break open their opponents' defence — James Tautaiolefua scoring the two tries for Wests Tigers in a frustrating defeat.
TARSHA GALE
Cronulla Sharks 46 def. Wests Tigers 16 at Sharks Academy Field
A tough ask for Wests Tigers' ever-improving Tarsha Gale side this week as they took on the top-of-the-table Cronulla Sharks and, like every other side in the competition this year, suffered a heavy defeat. Emily Curtain was again a standout for the visitors who more than held their own at times against the best team in the competition, but were unable to avoid recording their first defeat of the year. The result still leaves Wests Tigers in a strong position on the ladder with one game remaining in the regular season: currently sitting in third and an outside chance of finishing in the top two should other results fall their way.
JUNIOR REPS
Harold Matthews — Balmain Tigers 20 drew with Cronulla Sharks 20
Harold Matthews — Western Suburbs Magpies BYE
SG Ball — Cronulla Sharks 23 def. Balmain Tigers 22
SG Ball — Western Suburbs Magpies 22 def. West Coast Pirates 10
