The Mounties have gone to the top of the NSW Intrust Super Premiership ladder, with a hard-fought 24-16 victory over the Wentworthville Magpies.
Kato Ottio, fresh off a hat trick last weekend, crossed for the Mounties first after a slick set play saw him unmarked on the right wing. Five minutes later, and in almost the exact same circumstances, Ottio was again left with too much space on the wing and he crossed for his second.
A genius offload by Rhys Kennedy to Glen Buttriss saw the Mounties captain cross under the posts for the Mounties third try. Williams kicked truly from in front and the Mounties had a 14 point lead in as many minutes.
The half settled down after the Mounties initial attacking flurry, with the Magpies beginning to get into the game. With only a few minutes left before the half-time break, the Magpies got their first of the game with a skilful run out of dummy half by Kaysa Pritchard. The score at half-time was 14-4 to the Mounties.
The Mounties began the second half in similar fashion to the first, with a deft pass by Zac Santo sending Sisa Waqa across for a try. Williams missed the tough sideline conversion to keep the score at 18-4.
Errors began to creep into the Mounties game as the second half wore on, with Faraimo taking advantage of space on the Mounties right wing to keep the Magpies in the game. Former Raider, Mitch Cornish, nailed the conversion from the sideline.
Almost immediately the Magpies were at it again, with Kieran Moss this time left alone on the left wing to cruise over for the Magpies third. Cornish converted to cut the Mounties lead to just two points.
The Mounties held strong though, with a late try to Lachlan Croker and penalty goal to Sam Williams sealing the tough victory.
Mounties (Ottio 2, Buttriss, Waqa, Croker, Williams 1/5, 1 Pen) 24 defeated Wentworthville Magpies 16 (Kaysa, Faraimo, Moss, Cornish 2/3)
