The Illawarra Steelers Junior Representative sides had pleasing results in round 7 of action on Saturday.
The Harold Matthews (U16s) faced a tough game against South West Sydney Academy of Sport (SWSAS) but were able to come away with the points, while SG Ball (U18) travelled to Perth and had a more comfortable win.
The Harold Matthews squad faced SWSAS at home, Win Stadium, and started very strongly. It took only two minutes for the home team to cross over with winger Cody White touching down out wide. Goal kicker Tristan Sailor was unsuccessful as the Steelers played from in front.
Illawarra were next to score as Matt Delbanco scored for the home side after an error by SWSAS. The resulting conversion gave Steelers a ten point lead.
This lead motivated the away side and back-to-back to tries for SWSAS from their five-eighth and hooker gave them a two point lead heading into half-time.
The second half proved to help SWSAS more than Illawarra as two more tries to the away side gave them a 12 point advantage with just over ten minutes remaining.
However, with five minutes remaining interchange back Dylan Morris scored and gave Illawarra a glimmer of hope.
The Steelers were not going to be denied and with momentum firmly in their corner fullback Jason Gillard found the try line. Tristan Sailor was able to hold his nerve and kick the goal that tied the game.
Remarkably with the last play of the game and SWSAS clinging on to a draw, centre Sam Price beat a couple of defenders and scored, giving the Steelers an incredible come-from-behind victory.
In the SG Ball, it was not as close of a game with the Steelers proving why they were so high up on the table with a dominant performance.
Tries to Jye Dunning, Lachlan Stein, Reuben Garrick, Blake Lawrie, Luke Chalker and a double from Nick King helped Illawarra to a 40-10 victory over West Coast Pirates.
