Throwback Thursday: Women in League Round

After a tough game against the eventual premiers in their first match, Wests Tigers earned their maiden Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership victory against Brothers Penrith in 2019.

Playing away from home, Wests Tigers jumped out to a fast start as they racked up twenty unanswered points in the first half.

Winger Ana Fekeila scored the club’s first try in the competition, before Jackie-Anne Tahu crossed the stripe to double the visitors’ lead.

Tangikini Hanisi grabbed the third try for Wests Tigers before Bottile Vette-Welsh scored her first four-pointer of the season with two minutes remaining in the half.

After a much tighter start to the second period, Wests Tigers eventually broke the deadlock and extended their lead through Trinity Sullivan.

Lakeisha Tipene converted the try to push the scoreline out to 26-0, before a late consolation try to Bianca Beale reduced the final margin to twenty points.

The win would ultimately prove pivotal for Wests Tigers as they snuck into the finals on the back of four straight victories, eventually falling one win short of a grand final berth.

Harvey Norman Women's Premiership, 2022

Three years after their maiden victory in the competition, Wests Tigers set up a Grand Final showdown with the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.

Rachel Simpson and Najvada George were the only players remaining from the win over Brothers Penrith, while the club had recruited Blues stars Jessica Sergis and Kezie Apps to complement their home-grown talent.

Tiana Penitani crossed for the first try of the afternoon, but it was quickly met with a reply from Wests Tigers’ centre Keele Brown.

Tayla Preston assisted Jessica Sergis for the third try of the afternoon, with the Origin representative planting the ball under the posts as the half-time siren sounded.

In the second half, Talei Holmes’ try was matched by Wests Tigers winger Josephine Lenaz, but the Sharks soon equalised once again through Zali Fay.

Both teams were unable to break the deadlock as full-time approached, meaning extra time was required to crown a champion.

Blues representative Quincy Dodd appeared to have struck the decisive blow, setting up Sam Bremner for a try in the 73rd minute.

However, a deft pass from Losana Lutu sent Keele Brown through a gaping hole in the defensive line to put her side behind by two with just two minutes remaining.

Under immense pressure, captain Emily Curtain drilled the conversion from out wide as the siren sounded, sending the Campbelltown crowd into a frenzy.

Curtain then stepped up again in Golden Point to slot the winning field goal to claim her side’s maiden Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership title.

Wests Tigers will celebrate its own Women in League Round at Campbelltown Sports Stadium at the club's next home game on Sunday 7th August.