Kaiviti Silktails’ brave performance was not enough to defeat the Western Suburbs Magpies, falling just short in a 26-30 defeat at Mascot Oval on Saturday afternoon.
An even first half saw both teams exchange try-for-try, with Jake Kambos scoring all three tries for the Magpies in the opening period. The second rower terrorised the Silktails’ left edge, finding a hole and bursting through it on all three occasions.
It was the Silktails however who had the majority of chances to start the game, and they were finally able to capitalise through Malakai Kovekalou, who strolled over to score under the posts.
The home side answered the Magpies’ second try with a four-pointer of their own, this time through a shift to winger Viliame Tutuvuli who dived in the corner to level the game at two tries a piece.
A third try for the Silktails came at the stroke of half-time with Ratu Temesia Jilivecevece slipping through the opposition line, before offloading to Penaia Leveleve, who touched down between the posts. Mosese Qionimacawa converted to take both sides into the sheds level at 16-16.
The Silktails piled early pressure on the away side, however, in similar fashion to the first half, it was the Magpies who opened the scoring in the second period. A tap back from Jimmy Ngutlik off a chip kick set up Joseph Taipari to score in the corner.
The home side responded immediately after Watisoni Waqanisaravi stole the ball in a one-on-one strip right from the -off to barge his way over the line.
A penalty goal and a try to the Magpies gave the away side a six-point lead, but with three minutes remaining Sunia Naruma pulled off a miraculous effort to get the ball to Tutuvuli to score his second try of the match. Qionimacawa failed to convert this time keeping his side two points behind the Magpies.
It proved too little too late for the Kaiviti Silktails as a late error and penalty gave the Magpies another shot at goal to secure the victory.
The Silktails’ participation in the NSWRL’s Ron Massey Cup is proudly supported by the Australian Government through PacificAus Sports.
The NSWRL receives funding from the Australian Government through PacificAus Sports to support the Silktails’ participation in the NSWRL’s Ron Massey Cup.
