Western Suburbs Magpies have gone down 20-14 to the Wentworthville Magpies today at Bankwest Stadium, closing out Round 6 of the Canterbury Cup competition.
Playing at the new Bankwest Stadium, the Easter Monday game was not only the first rugby league match played but the first ever sporting match on the field.
In his first game back from an ankle injury, Jacob Liddle was impressive for the Magpies and was unfortunate not to post first points at the new stadium when he broke through inside the opening few minutes, while Paul Momirovski and Joseph Ratuvakacereivalu also had some promising touches for Brett Hodgson's side.
Tries to Kane Bradley and Momirovski had the visitors in front during the first half, but a double to Bevan French and penalty goal to Brad Keighran saw the host Magpies take a slender 14-8 lead in to the half-time sheds at Bankwest Stadium.
Ratuvakacereivalu crossed off a good short ball from Liddle early in the second half as Western Suburbs threatened to hit back in the contest, but poor handling and execution throughout the second half cost the visitors in the end, with a late try to Greg Leleisiauao and second penalty goal to Keighran sealing the win.
Western Suburbs Magpies will look to bounce back next Sunday when they take on the Newtown Jets at Lidcombe Oval in a day that will feature as the "Return to Lidcombe" Round, with Wests Tigers Jersey Flegg also in action on the day.
Wentworthville Magpies 20 (French 2, Leleisiuao tries; Keighran 4/5 goals) def. Western Suburbs Magpies 14 (Bradley, Momirovski, Ratuvakacereivalu tries; Momirovski 1/3 goals)
