For the second straight week, a field goal to Tyson Gamble has sealed a stunning last-minute win for Western Suburbs in the Intrust Super Premiership competition.
Leading 12-6 midway through the first half, Brett Hodgson's side conceded three tries in the space of eight minutes to find themselves trailing by eight points at the break with their top four hopes fading fast.
However, a late comeback from the side and field goal from Gamble with two minutes to play — just as he did last week against Mounties — sealed the 25-24 victory over the Wyong Roos at Morry Breen Oval.
The result sees Western Suburbs move inside the top four with one game remaining of the regular season where they will face the Newtown Jets at Henson Park. Hodgson's side have officially qualified for the finals series, and could finish as high as third depending on the result of next week's game.
Experienced winger Malakai Watene-Zelezniak showed his class with a standout second half performance to bag three tries, while Tuimoala Lolohea continued to impress in the halves — laying on a number of smart passes close to the line and also a try-assist for Braden Robson late in the contest.
A late inclusion to the side, Josh Aloiai was also impressive in his return from a broken hand, with 95 metres, three tackle breaks, four offloads and 11 tackles in just 35 minutes of action.
Western Suburbs face Newtown next Saturday, August 25 from 1:00pm AEST at Henson Park.
Western Suburbs 25 (Watene-Zelezniak 3, Godinet, Robson tries; Lolohea 2/5 goals; Gamble field goal) def. Wyong 24 (Tupouniua, Gray, Sharpe, Momirovski, Lam tries; Cornish 1/2, Momirovski 1/3 goals)
INDIVIDUAL PLAYER STATS
Most Metres: Watene-Zelezniak (191m), Rochow (187m), Epere (172m), McIntyre (122m)
Most Tackles: McQueen (32), Epere (23), Mikaele (21), Rochow (21), Gamble (20), Robson (20)
Most Tackle Breaks: Watene-Zelezniak (7), Epere (5), Robson (5), Gamble (5), McIntyre (4)
Most Offloads: Aloiai (4), Rochow (3), McIntyre (3), Mikaele (2), McQueen (2), Lolohea (2)
