Game Summary
Western Suburbs Magpies and North Sydney Bears served up a thrilling Round Two contest in The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup, played at Lidcombe Oval in the first leg of the Jason Taylor Cup.
Both sides came into the match in need of a win after difficult starts to the season, and they did not disappoint in delivering a contest that went to the wire.
Wests drew first blood when captain Charlie Murray crashed over to open the scoring, with Javon Andrews converting to make it 6-0. The Magpies applied consistent pressure early, with halfback Iverson Matai a constant aerial threat and new signing Bunty Afoa providing carry from the front row.
North Sydney hit back through Harradyn Wilson's try in the 24th minute, with Kieran Hayman slotting the conversion to level the scores at 6-6. The Bears then threatened to edge ahead as the clock wound down in the first half.
With the Magpies leading 10-6 deep in the final minutes of the half, Wests winger Tino Tavana fumbled the ball with four seconds remaining. The Bears scooped it up and shifted it wide for Ray Vaega to crash over right on the half-time siren, levelling the scores at 10-all in stunning fashion.
The second half continued in the same breathless fashion. Ammaron Gudgeon scored to put the Bears in front for the first time at 16-10, before Jack Attard replied under the posts for Wests to lock things up again at 16-all.
The Bears then edged ahead when Phillip Makatoa barged over, before Abiarthur Toi Tuilaepa sealed the win with a try four minutes from full-time, finishing off a combination involving Gudgeon that extended North Sydney's lead to 26-16.
Despite Wests throwing everything at them in the dying stages, the Bears held firm. The Magpies could not add to their tally and North Sydney ran out 26-16 winners, collecting their first two competition points of the season.
Talking Points
Leading 10-six with four seconds remaining in the opening half, a Magpies knock-on gifted the Bears possession and they made no mistake, with Vaega crossing to level at 10-all.
Ammaron Gudgeon was a standout for the Bears, pressed into the fullback role following the late withdrawal of Jake Toby. He was energetic, composed under the high ball, and capped his performance with a crucial try in the second half.
Patrick Herbert's comeback story added colour to the afternoon. The former NRL utility, who played 59 top-grade games, returned to the NSW Cup after a stint with Dapto Canaries, and showed glimpses of why the Tigers were keen to bring him back.
Key Moment
The turnover late in the first half was a key moment in the contest. The Magpies had worked hard to earn a 10-6 lead and appeared set to go into the sheds with the advantage. Instead the Bears scored through Vaega right on the half-time siren swinging the momentum, and ultimately the result, firmly in North Sydney's favour.
What's Next?
The Bears have a bye in Round Three and will return to action sitting on four competition points. The Magpies make the trip to Gosford to face South Sydney on Saturday at Polytec Stadium, hoping to claim their first win of the 2026 NSW Cup season.
