By Jake Bull
The Illawarra Cutters suffered their third loss of the season in a tight 18-16 loss to Wentworthville Magpies at Ringrose Park, Wentworthville on Sunday.
After winning their first game of the season last weekend against the North Sydney Bears, the Cutters couldn’t go back-to-back despite leading at half-time.
The home side were the first to score. After a tight first quarter to the game, five-eighth Ryan Matterson went over next to the posts in the 23rd minute.
Luke Kelly added the two points for a 6-0 lead.
Eight minutes later the Cutters hit back. A spread to the right saw Nathan Green bat the ball back inside to fullback Justin Hunt who did the rest to score.
Shannon Crook made no mistake to even the game up at 6-all.
Right before half-time the visitors took the lead. Another spread right ended with centre Peter Mata’utia going over out wide.
Crook again converted for a 10-6 lead at half-time.
In the 53rd minute the Magpies hit back. Winger Bureta Faraimo streaked down the sideline palming off defenders before scoring in the corner.
Kelly continued his good form with the boot to lead 12-10.
Seven minutes later the Cutters fell behind even further when a loose ball was picked by Fabian Goodall who then went the distance to score next to the posts.
Luke Kelly again plotted over the conversion to give the home side their biggest lead at 18-10.
However, the Cutters were not going away and in the 66th minute they had their reward.
A shift ended with a great cut-out pass from Nathan Green which allowed winger Kiti Glymin to score untouched to trail 18-16.
Illawarra had the chance to tie the game with a late penalty goal but Peter Mata’utia could not convert from distance as the Magpies got their first win of the season.
Illawarra Cutters 16. Tries: Hunt, Mata’utia, Glymin. Goals: Crook (1/2), Mata’utia (1/2).
Wentworthville Magpies 18. Tries: Matterson, Faraimo, Goodall. Goals: Kelly (3/3).
