Oliver Giladrt and Jackson Hastings make Wests Tigers impression as NRL journey begins

Former Wigan Warriors duo Oliver Gildart and Jackson Hastings starred as Wests Tigers defeated Sydney Roosters 16-8 in the final game of their pre-season campaign.

England centre Gildart and ex-Salford half-back Hastings joined the NRL outfit after leaving the DW Stadium at the end of last season.

Lining up against the Roosters, Hastings impressed in his first appearance for Wests while Gildart also enjoyed some nice touches at Gosford Stadium.

The Tigers trailed 8-0 early after the Roosters went 8-0 up with tries from Paul Momirovski and fellow new recruit Kevin Naiqama, who left St Helens at the end of last season.

But the Tigers scored through Zane Musgrove as the interval approached and further tries from Luciano Leilua and Alex Seyfarth sealed the win.

Wests coach, the former Wigan boss Michael Maguire, said: “I was really pleased with Jacko [Hastings].

“I think that the connections and the cohesion of our spine with Daine [Laurie] and Brooksy [Luke Brooks] and Lids [Jacob Liddle] is looking good now.

“We have seen what they are capable of but it is about doing it week in and week out.”

Hastings spoke of his delight at his performance which included a try assist, a linebreak assist, 49 running metres and three tacklebusts.

The 26-year-old said: “It is a weird kind of feeling, I was a bit emotional when I ran out, it all sort of just hit me even though it is just a trial.

“It’s been a long three-and-a-half, four years, a lot of ups and plenty of downs too, so extremely grateful to Madge (Maguire), Justin Pascoe and the Tigers for giving me an opportunity but it is obviously great to come back and see some familiar faces at the Roosters.

“It obviously didn’t end the way I wanted it to (with the Roosters), they were