The Illawarra Cutters were defeated 34-14 by Wests Tigers at WIN Stadium, Wollongong on Saturday.
The Cutters crossed on three occasions with winger Yaw Kiti Glymin notching a double in the opening round defeat.
The Cutters started the season in a positive fashion scoring the first try of the game through winger Yaw Kiti Glymin down the right hand side.
Sam Williams landed his first conversion of the day to extend the lead to 6-0 after 10 minutes.
The 13th minute saw the home side score a second try in quick succession after using a smart set play for Peter Mati’utai, who found space and ran 30 meters to extend the lead to 10-0.
The Cutters looked in control until Tigers winger Taqel Naiyaravoro powered his way past several defenders to score down the sideline.
With control of the game starting to level out the Cutters hit back in spectacular fashion through Kiti Glymin who scored his second try through a chip and chase and a right foot step.
The Tigers started to claw their way back into the contest after Blake Austin scored back-to-back tries and converted them both before half time.
At Halftime Tigers lead the Cutters 16-14.
The Cutters weren't able to re-produce their form from the first half as the Tigers scored three more times in the second half through Blake Austin, Corey Brown, and Ben Murdoch-Masila .
Wests Tigers 34 defeated the Illawarra Cutters 14.
Illawarra Cutters: 14. Tries: Glymin (2), Mati’utai. Goals: Williams (1/3).
Wests Tigers: 34. Tries: Austin (3), Naiyaravoro, Brown, Murdoch-Masila. Goals: Austin (5/6).