Live Coverage | The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup Round 4

Hannah McGrory

Panthers continue their impressive form against the Sea Eagles

Penrith Panthers remain undefeated after beating Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles 32-6 at Lottoland as the Sea Eagles record their second loss of the season.

Penrith were able to build pressure early after their pin point kicking game kept the Sea Eagles in their own end only a few minutes into the game.

Luke Nadurutalo came close to scoring the first points next to the corner post before a terrific defensive effort by Blacktown’s Morgan Harper forced an error.

It was the Panthers classy kicking game that proved the difference after they produced a repeat set before centre Izack Tago scored the first points of the game soon after.

The Panthers were in again in the 34th minute after a break through the middle of play by Taylan May. Billy Tsikrikas went over the line and halfback Kurt Falls successfully adding the two points.

While the Sea Eagles were still in the hunt, it was the Panthers who went into halftime in the lead after getting out to a 10-0 lead.

A determined home outfit came out in the second half with a brilliant charge by prop Jordin Leiu saw him cross for a four pointer. The try was successfully converted by Brad Keighran.

The Panthers quickly responded with two consecutive tries through Alec Susino and a solid effort from Tom Jenkins.

Panthers five- eighth Jaeman Salmon put the match beyond the Sea Eagles reach after scoring back-to-back tries in the final 13 minutes of the game.

Mounties v South Sydney Rabbitohs

Stewart Moses

Souths get the chocolates in an Easter win over Mounties

A bumper Easter crowd was on hand at a sun-drenched Aubrey Keech Reserve hoping for the home team to continue their strong start to the 2021 season. But they would leave disappointed as the visitors, with South Sydney emerging victorious to the tune of 24-22. 

Mounties were first to score with a try underneath the posts through prop forward Vincent Rennie who proved too difficult to stop close to the line, off a Bradley Deitz cut out pass, to give the hosts a 6-0 an early advantage after 10 minutes.

Mounties errors inside their own half finally enabled Souths to level the scores after 18 minutes through centre Steven Marsters, who went over untouched after some great lead up work by half Dean Hawkins caught the Mounties’ left edge defence napping.

Eventually Mounties broke the deadline with a barging try to backrower Dean Matterson to give the home side a handy 10-6 leading up to the half time break.

Ioelu had the opportunity to score in the corner with Mounties having made the overlap only for the winger to fumble the pass with the try line beckoning and Souths were perhaps a little fortunate to be trailing by four points at halftime.

Against the run of play Souths worked play down the entire length of the field before scoring an early second half converted try through fullback Jacob Gagai to suddenly lead for the first time, 12-10.

Souths, now playing with renewed confidence scored again in the 61st minute, opted to run it on the last tackle with Gagai finding prop James Hasson in support to score next to the posts and the visitors established the biggest lead of the game at 18-10.

A third consecutive try to Souths, saw them capitalising on a long-range intercept to score on the next play through Joe Lovodua, who all but sealed the first win of the season for the Rabbitohs.

Ioelu at his third attempt, finally pulled one back for Mounties with an individual effort in the 72nd minute but the home side by that stage had left it too little, too late despite trailing by just the 8 points.

Having lost Dean Matterson through concussion, Mounties centre Aaron Schoupp set up a grandstand finish scoring off a Souths error at the scrum, putting his side within just the two with three minutes remaining.

Schoupp looking threatening again after breaking through Mounties defensive line in a last effort play to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Despite his best efforts, play broke down soon after and the Rabbitohs prevailed to earn their first win of the season.

Canberra Raiders v Newtown Jets

Laurence Kelson

Raiders run in ten tries in a near perfect win over Newtown Jets

The Raiders have bounced back from last week's defeat with a dominant display over Newtown Jets at Raiders Belconnen this Saturday.

Both Corey Harawira-Naera and Bringham Moeakiola scored doubles in the 60-20 romp, where the Raiders scored six second-half tries.

Raiders’ half, Brad Schneider was perfect with the boot slotting 10 from 10 conversions.

The Jets opened the scoring in the 2nd minute when Zac Woolford broke the line at midfield and passed to Luke Metcalf who scored under the posts.

The Raiders hit back in the seventh minute when Corey Harawira-Naera caught a Matt Frawley kick five meters out from the line and ran through the Jets’ defence to score.

The Jets got out to a 10-6 lead after Edward Aiono scored out wide in the 14th minute.

The Raiders soon turned momentum and got their first lead of the game in the 25th minute thanks to English young gun Harry Rushton. Rushton pounced on a loose ball off a kick and charged over the line with Jets’ defenders hanging off him. Brad Schneider converted making the score 12-10.

Schneider then scored a try of his own, taking on the defence close to the line and powering over. He then converted his own try taking the score out to 18-10.

The Jets scored through Jack A Williams in the 34th minute but the Raiders hit right back just before halftime when Corey Horsburgh crashed through from close range to give the Green Machine a 24-16 lead.

The Raiders had the perfect start to the second half. In the first 10 minutes, Corey Harawira-Naera and Leo Thompson both scored from close range putting the Raiders’ lead out to 36-16.

Raiders winger Bringham Moeakiola, continued to pile on the punishment when he scored back to back tries both off spectacular passes from Albert Hopoate and Adam Cook respectively.

Kai O’Donnell then got the Raiders over the half-century mark when he crossed the line - taking the score to 54-16.

The Jets scored a late consolation try before the Raiders hit back through Elijah Anderson to take the score out to 60-20.

Newcastle Knights v St George Illawarra Dragons

Western Suburbs Magpies v Parramatta Eels

Mitchell Farrugia

Magpies sink Eels in Easter Monday try-fest

The Western Suburbs Magpies have defeated the Parramatta Eels in a tightly fought contest at Stadium Australia.

As both sides settled nicely into the game, it took a barnstorming 30-metre Joey Leilua run to break the Eels defence, allowing promising hooker Jake Simpkin to scoot over from dummy half for his fifth try in four matches.

With momentum in the Magpies’ favour, they continued to attack down the left-hand side. A quick-fire pass from Michael Chee Kam saw Jock Madden race away to narrowly score in the corner. After two unsuccessful conversion attempts, the Magpies led 8-0.

However, despite Western Suburbs appearing on top, Parramatta began to control the field position as the half went on. This led the Eels to their first points of the afternoon, as enforcer Ky Rodwell’s close-range effort saw him score under the posts. 

Following the Eels’ first try, a cross-field kick from Jakob Arthur was caught uncontested by centre Will Penisini who strolled into the in-goal to score. This put Parramatta ahead for the first time in the match as the scores sat at 12-8.

It wasn’t long before speedster Allan Fitzgibbon streaked into space, creating a break for the Magpies who once again shifted down the left-hand side of the field. Michael Chee Kam put the ball on a platter for Joey Leilua to score untouched.

Neither side could mount a substantial attack in the final ten minutes of the first half as Western Suburbs headed into the sheds leading 14-12.

Four minutes into the second half Joey Leilua showcased his strength again, holding off some Eels defenders and flicking a ball to winger Kiah Cooper who was able to score for the Magpies, extending their lead to six points.

Western Suburbs continued to punish the right edge defence of the Eels as slick passing saw Kiah Cooper dive over for his second try of the match, moments after his first. Jock Madden was able to convert the try from the touchline.

Not down and out just yet, the Eels’ quick pace in attack saw young half Jakob Arthur skip through a hole to hit back, narrowing the deficit.

With only six points separating the sides, the Magpies again shifted further ahead. This time down the right flank with Reece Hoffman picking up a try.

Again attempting to force their way back into the contest, the Eels floated a sloppy pass wayward and into the arms of Magpies half Jock Madden who was able to speed away for his second try of the Easter Monday clash. 

Both sides defensively opened up as the second half continued, with Parramatta prop Makahesi Makatoa barging his way over the try line in the final ten minutes. Shortly after, new recruit for the Eels Tim Lafai added his name to the score sheet as they stripped the Magpies for numbers.

Despite reducing the margin to four points, Western Suburbs were able to add two points via a penalty goal to grind out a 34-28 win, handing rivals Parramatta their first loss of the 2021 season.