Four tries to star winger James Turner has seen West Harbour easily account for the Western Sydney Two Blues 50-15 to secure their second victory on the trot.
In windy conditions at Tapin Oval, Turner led a dominant Pirate backline which combined for seven tries on the day, consistently breaking through the lacklustre Two Blue defence.
In further good news for the Club, Waratah recruit Carlo Tizzano was welcomed back for his second game in Pirate colours. The young breakaway continuing to impress, his physicality and fitness a class above his opposition.
West Harbour found themselves on the front foot early thanks to a beautifully executed backline play which saw Turner slice through and cross for his sides first.
Only minutes later, the Pirates backline again found themselves in space as a beautiful combination between Patrick Pellegrini and Connor Chittenden allowed Justin Tavae to waltz over in the corner.
Despite a yellow card to flyhalf Rory Garrett, the Two Blues put together a strong 10-minute period just before the half time break. The shift in momentum was led by a miraculous intercept from Tepai Moeroa, who not only stopped a certain try but shifted field position right down into the Pirate’s third.
A Two Blue lineout soon after saw West Harbour again struggle to defend the rolling maul, Penimapa Tuitupou the beneficiary as the breakaway crashed over for the visitors first.
The Pirate lead was squandered just before the break, as a try to winger Jordan Williams and penalty goal to the returning Garrett gifted the Two Blues a sudden 15-12 lead heading into the sheds.
It was however to be the last joy for the visitors on the day, as West Harbour returned to the field to post easily their most clinical and dominant half of the 2020 season.
An early try to Damien Fleming and a second to Justin Tavae saw the Pirate lead swiftly regained at 24-15.
From that moment on the home sides backline seemed virtually untouchable. A perfectly timed inside ball from Cooper Henwood gave Tavae running room, drawing the Two Blue last line of defence to allow Chittenden to cross for a well-deserved try.
Turner was next to score, quickly darting from a quick tap and dancing around a tired Two Blue forward pack to secure his second and extend the lead to 23 points.
Two more tries to Turner saw the winger finish with four in a man of the match display, West Harbour running away with a commanding 50-15 victory. The Pirate’s ability to execute scoring plays will particularly please Head Coach Mark Gudmunson, with his side uncharacteristically struggling to score early in the season.
West Harbour will aim to extend their winning streak once more as they prepare to face the Hunter Wildfires away from home in Round 12. The Pirates will fancy their chances against the competition newcomers as the Wildfire’s suffered a heavy 50-15 home loss against Warringah yesterday.
In other results, Sydney University endured their third straight loss 34-24 to Gordon, Easts smashed Penrith 56-19, Randwick beat rivals Manly 34-15 and Norths continued their strong run into finals with an impressive 35-17 win over Southern Districts.
Result
West Harbour 50
Tries: Turner 4, Tavae 2, Fleming, Chittenden
Cons: Pellegrini 4, De Lange
Two Blues 15
Tries: Tuitupou, Williams
Cons: Garrett
Pens: Garrett
Yellow Card: Garrett
Round 11 Results:
Easts 56 – 19 Penrith
West Harbour 50 – 15 Two Blues
Wildfires 15 – 50 Warringah
Norths 35 – 17 Southern Districts
Randwick 34 – 15 Manly
Gordon 34 – 24 Sydney University
Declan Armstrong
Media and Communications Officer | West Harbour Pirates Rugby Club
