Group 11 2017: Wellington Cowboys run riot in second half on way to breakthrough win over Westside

Westside has now conceded 202 points in three games and captain-coach Colt Tairua was left disappointed after the match under lights at Caltex Park while Wellington counterpart Aidan Ryan was delighted with his side.

Wellington wasted no time putting points on the board as Will Lousick crashed over the line inside the first five minutes. 

Back-to-back penalties against Westside didn’t help in its cause and Norm West soon put more points on the board for the Cowboys.

Just when it looked as though Westside was gaining momentum the ball was recouped by Cowboy Shannon Ireland who scored before an instant response from Rabbitohs’ Brayden Peachey made it 14-4.

Nathan Ryan scored Westside’s second try of the night in a desperate bid to reduce the margin further but the Cowboys were having none of it as they squeezed in one more ahead of half time through Brian Baxter.

The match was still within Westside’s reach when the match resumed and Steve Riley scored inside the first two minutes back to further reduce the margin.

But the hope was short-lived for the men in red and green as Wellington then ran rampant. 

Slippery in attack the Cowboys capitalised on a penalty to score their first of five tries in second half.

Wellington coach Ryan, West, Baxter and Hayden Sutherland ran in the remainder in just over 10 minutes to put the nail in the coffin and secure their first win of the season. 

Ryan was thrilled with the result and stated he is keen to head into the round four match against Narromine after such a convincing win.

“That’s our second win in two years so pretty stoked for the boys,” he said.

“We still haven’t played with a full squad yet so the boys who put in there it was a tremendous effort.”

“Westside grind away but they’re just a bit unfit so if they get a bit fitter they will be really competitive.”