Match Report: NSW Cup Round 25 vs Sea Eagles

In extremely windy conditions at Lidcombe Oval, Wests were down on the scoreboard on numerous occasions, before a 78th minute try to Tallyn Da Silva gave the Magpies an unforgettable victory. 

The win means all three of Wests Tigers' senior men's teams have secured wins over the Sea Eagles in Round 25.

Blacktown scored two quick tries through Watson Heleta and Jake Simpkin, to put them ahead by 10 after 15 minutes. 

Josh Feledy then proved too strong out of dummy-half, with the centre scoring a typically powerful try to put the Magpies on the board. 

Aitasi James and Caleb Navale went on to score in quick succession for the Sea Eagles but Western Suburbs were determined to remain within touching distance. 

Brent Naden’s short ball to Lachlan Broederlow allowed the young second-rower to offload back to Naden, who scored his first try of the season at NSW Cup level. 

Naden then made a clean break of his own, with the five-eighth passing to the teenage Da Silva to put the Magpies right back into the game after 35 minutes. 

On the stroke of half-time, Magpies halfback James Valevatu was sent to the sin-bin for holding down a Blacktown player after a line-break, with the Sea Eagles kicking the subsequent penalty goal to give them a 24-16 lead at the break. 

Charbel Tasipale scored the first try of the second half, with Declan Casey setting up the Magpies utility on the right edge. 

Aaron Woods was next to score but Brent Naden then continued his strong game, setting Feledy up for his second of the afternoon. 

After Da Silva kicked a 66th minute penalty goal to level proceedings at 30-30, Tim Johannssen powered his way through the Blacktown defence and passed to Naden, who put Wests in front for the first time in the match. 

Toafofoa Sipley spun his way over under the posts for what loomed as the final try of the afternoon but there was one more late twist in this incredible match.

Feledy broke through the Blacktown line from within his own end, with Da Silva backing up in support and showing great speed to score the match-winning try in the 78th minute.

Da Silva’s conversion meant the Magpies emerged 40-36 winners at Lidcombe Oval, in their final game of the 2024 season.