WESTERN Suburbs Magpies are soaring towards the NSW Cup rugby league competition finals.

The Leo Epifania-coached team cemented fifth place on the competition ladder with a 33-20 win over the North Sydney Bears at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on Saturday.

Depleted with injuries, which forced Epifania to make several last-minute changes, the Magpies showed plenty of courage to defeat the Bears.

With six rounds before the finals the Magpies are fifth on 23 points.

Epifania said despite the late team changes he was confident the team would do well.

And local boy second rower Daniel Ashin was called into the team at short notice because of injuries. Ashin is a member of the Wests Tigers' under 20s Toyota Cup team.

Magpies general manager Andrew Waite said Ashin was a promising player rising from the Magpies' junior representative ranks.

Epifania said the win was important because the battle for the finals was hotting up.

``We had prepared well at training during the week after the two point loss to Balmain Ryde Eastwood Tigers,'' Epifania said.

Epifania said he was pleased with the character shown by the Magpies team.

``Although, we still have a few things to work on this week at training,'' he said.

The Magpies train at Hillier Oval, Liverpool, and the club's offices are at the Whitlam Leisure Centre.

In round 21, this Saturday, the Magpies tackle the Central Coast at Morrie Breen Oval, Gorokan, at 3pm.