Rep Team Review: Round 3

Wests Tigers NSW Women’s Premiership halfback, Emily Curtain, replicated her Grand Final heroics from last season, kicking a last minute field goal to secure the side’s second victory of the new campaign.

An improved South Sydney team skipped away to an early lead before hooker, Ebony Prior returned fire.

Prior went on to score a double, as did 21-year-old superstar Curtain, with the latter’s field goal capping off an outstanding game from the Tigers #7.

Harvey Norman Tarsha Gale Cup (U/19s)

After a tough build-up to the game, losing two players through injury during the week, Wests Tigers were convincingly beaten by a very strong South Sydney side.

Souths halfback Siniva Saanga shone, laying on numerous tries for the Rabbitohs, while prop, Claire Kennedy and fullback, Tiana-Lee Thorne were both impressive for the Tigers.

The match also marked the Tarsha Gale Cup debut of Ella Fielding, who played off the interchange bench.

SG Ball Cup (U/19s) - Western Suburbs

The Magpies SG Ball side continued its undefeated start to the season in emphatic fashion, coming away with a 50-4 victory over the Rabbitohs.

Wests were outstanding throughout, with a high completion rate allowing them to maintain territory and produce nine tries in the thumping win.

Spine players Heath Mason and Lachlan Galvin were outstanding on the day, with fill-in skipper Zak Clarke also continuing his impressive start to the 2023 season.

SG Ball Cup (U/19s) - Balmain

Balmain picked up its first win of the season in dramatic fashion.  Cameron Kanaan broke the line and sent Elijah Mataale over for the match-winner with just three minutes left on the clock.

A scrappy first-half from both sides saw Norths take a 6-0 lead into the break, before Cameron Kanaan and Wade Zreika put the Tigers ahead in the second half.

With the Bears responding and converting to make it a two-point game, Mataale’s try gave Balmain the victory, with workhorse interchange forward, Adam Mehrez, voted the game’s Players' Player.

Harold Matthews Cup (U/17s) - Western Suburbs

Wests’ Harold Matthews Cup team remains at the top of the table after another big win in Round 3.

A hat-trick from winger Ali Karnib, and an impressive forward pack performance, with Denzel Schaafhausen-Mino and Lucas Rossi particularly strong, led the Magpies to victory.

Halves Onitoni Large and Alex Isdale both produced quality kicking games; setting up tries and providing the team with good field position, which was critical to its seven-try rout.

Harold Matthews Cup (U/17s) - Balmain

Balmain’s Harold Matthews Cup side was unstoppable in Round 3, with the Tigers’ U/17s locking in its first win of the 2023 season.

Props, Dougie Tuala and Edwin Langi created havoc once again, the home side’s left edge running riot off the back of good field position created by the forwards.

A disappointing second half brought Norths to within 20 points, but Balmain’s early lead was much too big to overcome, the Tigers coming away with an emphatic 24-point victory.

Laurie Daley Cup (U/18s) - Macarthur Wests

Macarthur Wests Tigers’ Laurie Daley Cup outfit also produced their first win of the season in Round 3, after a loss and a draw to kick off their 2023 campaign.

The U/18s came up against a dangerous Riverina side which was also desperate to secure its first competition points, but doubles from Seth To’o and James Folaumoetui led the away side to victory.

Folaumoetui, Ryan Polsen and Heith Pritchard were the standout performers on the day, with Macarthur Wests Tigers pleased to get an away win before the team's remaining two games of the regular season at Kirkham Oval, Camden.

Andrew Johns Cup (U/16s) - Macarthur Wests

Macarthur Wests’ Andrew Johns Cup boys are another in Wests Tigers’ pathways system to remain undefeated, after beating Riverina in a tough Round 3 contest.

The attacking structures of this side have developed considerably as the season has progressed, with outside backs, Glassie Glassie and James Bengura capitalising off the back of some slick ball movement.

With two upcoming home games to conclude the regular season, this group’s performances on the road to start its 2023 campaign have been outstanding.