A 77th-minute field goal by Wests Tigers halfback Josh Drinkwater secured a come-from-behind 29-28 victory over the Wentworthville Magpies at Ringrose Park.
The Magpies dominated much of the match and led 22-16 at halftime before scoring a converted try in their opening set of the second half to open up a handy 28-16 lead.
But Wests Tigers never surrendered and scored two tries to even the game up at 28-all late in the contest before Drinkwater won the match with his second field goal attempt.
Drinkwater opened the scoring for Wests Tigers in just the 10th minute with a nice individual try and his conversion made it 6-0 to the visitors.
Wenty hit back with a sweeping backline play that caught the Wests Tigers' defence short and winger Fabian Goodall touched down in the corner. Luke Kelly was unsuccessful with the tough conversion attempt and his side trailed 6-4.
After 18 minutes of play the Magpies went left and centre Ryan Morgan burrowed under some soft defence to give his side a two-point lead. Kelly added the extras and the home side led 10-6.
Just four minutes later Kelly broke clear and raced down-field before drawing the fullback and putting promising second-rower Tepai Moeroa away for the Magpies' third try. Kelly made no mistake with the conversion to make it 16-6.
Wests Tigers had been struggling for much of the match but a rare trip into Magpies territory paid dividends with Keith Lulia diving over in the left corner to get his side back in the match. Drinkwater's missed conversion meant the home side led 16-10 with 10 minutes left in the first half.
The visitors tied it up just minutes later when a Drinkwater cross-field kick was claimed by winger Kurtis Rowe to score a great try. Drinkwater added the extras to make it 16-all.
After working so hard to get back into that match, Wests Tigers were disappointing in the dying stages of the first half when Vai Toutai took advantage of some hesitant defence and powered over. Kelly converted the try and the Magpies led 22-16 at halftime.
It took the Magpies just one set of six to breach the defence in the second half when hooker Sam Gorman snuck over to increase his side's lead. Kelly converted and the home side enjoyed a 28-16 lead.
The visitors replied through centre Nathan Milone who scored a soft try out wide and Drinkwater added the extras to make it 28-22.
Wests Tigers were on a roll and a try to Rowe, via the dreaded second kick made it 28-26 and set up an exciting finish with 15 minutes left in an absorbing game.
A Darcy Lussick high shot allowed Drinkwater to kick the penalty and level scores 28-all in the 72nd minute.
Both Drinkwater and Kelly had shots at field goal that were wide before Drinkwater nailed it with his second attempt three minutes from full-time.
Wests Tigers 29 (Kurtis Rowe 2, Josh Drinkwater, Keith Lulia, Nathan Milone tries; Drinkwater 4 goals, Drinkwater field goal) bt Wentworthville Magpies 28
