Wyong Roos bounced back from last week’s disappointing loss to crush Wentworthville Magpies 52-16 at Morry Breen Field.
The game started at a frantic pace with the visitors showing some early aggression. The Roos weathered the storm and pushed up field to open the scoring thanks to Chris Centrone finishing off a backline play.
Wentworthville hit back shortly after with Cody Nelson showing good pace on the edge to run around the Wyong defence to score a 60-metre try.
The Roos looked to be in trouble when Samisoni Langi was helped from the field with a leg injury in the 18th minute but the loss of their five/eighth lifted the Roos and from that moment it was all green and gold.
Centrone scored his second followed by three quick tries to blow the score out to 26-6. Abraham Papalii and Matt McIlwrick scored two easy tries up the middle before Yileen Gordon got in on the act to bulldoze his way over for the Roos fifth before half time.
Wyong started the second half like they finished the first. Back rower Jack Siejka ran a strong line to score before Centrone showed great determination and speed to pick up his hat trick.
36-6 after 48 minutes and the game was very one sided but to Wentworthville’s credit they didn’t give up.
Wenty dominated the next 10 minutes with two quick tries from winger James Tuitahi to give the Magpies fans something to cheer about at 36-16 but the Roos soon clicked back into gear.
Roos half back Tyler Cornish had a memorable performance with superb kicking game that was on show in the 63rd minute with a nicely weighted kick for fullback Omar Slaimankhel to wrestle his way over the line.
It was one of those afternoons for Wentworthville in a hit-and-miss performance. On the other side, Wyong took their chances and soon had their ninth try when Leivaha Pulu ran a direct line to stroll over the try line. Slaimankhel took over the kicking duties from Cornish to convert the try and put Wyong up 48-16 with 5 to go.
Looking to hit the half-century mark, Wyong charged up field once again. Skipper Mitch Williams was sensational for the Roos, breaking through the Wenty defence to set up his side’s tenth try. The play then shifted to left and Slaimankhel was there to score his second of the day.
Wyong Roos were too strong, running out 52-16 winners, placing them atop the VB NSW Cup with two rounds to play.
Wyong Roos 52 (Chris Centrone 3, Omar Slaimankhel 2, Yileen Gordon, Abraham Papalii, Leivaha Pulu, Jack Siejka & Matt McIlwrick tries; Tyler Cornish 5 & Omar Slaimankhel 1 goals) defeated Wentworthville 16 (James Tuitahi 2 & Cody Nelson tries; Beau Henry 2 goals) at Morry Breen Field.
