THE Illawarra Steelers have moved up into the SG Ball top six for the first time in 2021 thanks to their fourth straight win on Saturday.
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Playing at the Collegians Sporting Complex, Glenn Buffolin's side ran in seven tries to two against Western Suburbs, to win 40-10.
In the 30-point win, Junior Amone scored four tries, while Warilla-Lake South's Tyrone Roberts crossed twice.
The final try went to Cooper Roberts, with Alexander Lobb landing six of his seven conversions. The victory moves the Steelers to a 4-1-2 record after nine rounds of the NSWRL competition.
Earlier in the day, Aaron McDonald's Harold Matthews outfit went down to the Magpies 34-22 despite tries from Gerringong's Dylan Egan (two), Ethan Cliff and Sean Trindall.
Lining up alongside Egan in the Steelers side were fellow Group Seven juniors Ashton Ward and Jack Quine (both Gerringong) and James Walsh (Stingrays).
Wrapping up the Steelers' junior representative matches over the weekend was Alicia-Kate Hawke's Tarsha Gale side, who lost their second straight match.
After going down for the first time in round seven to Newcastle, the Steelers couldn't bounce back, losing 25-10 to Wests Tigers.
In the 15-point loss, Salma Nour and Stingrays' Teagan Berry scored four-pointers.
Other Group Seven talents in the scarlett and white this round were Riley Scott, Mackenzie Lear, Alex Wallace and Jordyn Preston (all Stingrays) as well as Keele Browne and Alivia Brown - whose side remains in second despite dropping to 5-2 on the season.
Looking ahead to the final round of this season's competition, all three Steelers side will be keen to improve their finals positions with victories.
Sitting in sixth, Buffloin's side will host 12th-placed North Sydney at Collegians on Saturday, as will McDonald's Harold Matthews side, who currently sit in ninth and need a win to secure their spot in the finals.
While Hawke's Tarsha Gale side head to the Belmore Sports Ground to face the eight-placed Bulldogs on Saturday.