Bears Storm Home to Overcome Magpies at North Sydney Oval
Game Summary
The North Sydney Bears produced a stunning second-half display to overrun the Western Suburbs Magpies 48-16 in Round 23 of The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup at North Sydney Oval.
The Bears drew first blood when centre Ammaron Gudgeon crossed in the right-hand corner after a slick backline movement, with Kieran Hayman converting to make it 6-0 after 10 minutes.
The Magpies hit back when veteran prop Bunty Afoa muscled over close to the posts, and halfback Javon Andrews levelled the scores at 6-all with a well-struck conversion. It was a sign that the visitors were more than capable of matching the second-placed Bears.
Both sides traded tries as Ethyn Martin finished off a flowing backline movement to extend the Bears' lead to 12-6, before Heath Mason scorched over from fullback following a strong line-break by Solomone Saukuru to draw the Magpies level at 12-all.
The visitors then struck what appeared to be a decisive blow when Fiohiva Siale Fainga'a finished off a coast-to-coast team try in the corner to put the Magpies up 16-12 at half-time. Andrews' boot had been perfect all afternoon.
The second half began with the Magpies applying early pressure, but the Bears absorbed it and hit back with an Abiarthur Toi Tuilaepa try that drew the scores level at 16-all before Hayman's conversion put the home side ahead 18-16 at a crucial juncture.
From that point, the Bears were relentless. Matt Stimson crashed over to extend the lead, Jake Toby darted over from dummy half, and Toi Tuilaepa grabbed his double as North Sydney reeled off try after try in a dominant second-half display that yielded 36 unanswered points.
Jayden Yates added a late try from dummy half to cap a brilliant team performance, with Hayman finishing the match with a perfect seven from seven with the boot as the Bears ran out 48-16 winners and cemented their position second on the ladder.
Talking Points
- Kieran Hayman was flawless with the boot, converting all seven of his attempts including four from the sideline. His contribution with the boot was pivotal in stretching the Bears' lead and his 81% conversion rate for the season continued to be a genuine match-winning asset.
- Javon Andrews impressed throughout for the Magpies, with the 19-year-old halfback making a series of line-breaks and finishing with two from three with the boot. The teenager who made his NRL debut for the Wests Tigers just weeks earlier showed plenty of class.
- The Bears' second half was extraordinary. Trailing by four points at half-time, they outscored the Magpies 36-nil in the second stanza, demonstrating the kind of depth and fitness that has them firmly in finals contention as the finals draw near.
Key Moment
With the scores locked at 16-all midway through the second half, Toi Tuilaepa scorched over in the corner to give the Bears the lead for the first time since the opening exchanges of the half. Hayman's conversion pushed the margin to 18-16 and the Bears never looked back, running in five more tries from that point on in a remarkable second-half showing.
What's next?
The Bears return to North Sydney Oval next Sunday when they host the Parramatta Eels. The Magpies face a must-win clash against the St George Illawarra Dragons at Lidcombe Oval.
