ILLAWARRA have bounced back from a sluggish round one effort to notch their first win of the season, 24-16, over Wentworthville on Sunday.
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The reigning state and national champions got off to a flyer to lead 16-0 after 32 minutes and staved off a Magpies fightback to seal the win in the second half.
Young five-eighth Jack Payne crossed in the 15th minute for a a 6-0 lead. Siliva Havili extended the margin to 12 when he barged across next to the posts seven minutes later and when Levi Dodd won the race to a Nona grubber the host led by 16.
Bureta Faraimo hit back for the visitors five minutes before the break to cut the deficit to 12 at halftime with the Magpies striking first after the resumption through Scott Schultz to cut the margin to six.
It was short-lived with Luciano Leilua putting Matt Dufty into space with a deft pass for their fourth try. Jeff Robson strolled across to give the visitors a sniff with 20 minutes to play before a penalty goal from Nona put the game to bed.