Recap | The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup - Round 14

Mounties v North Sydney Bears

Bears bounce back to defeat Mounties

Stewart Moses

Game summary

Despite the pre-game loss of Bears stars Kevin Naiqama and Daniel Suluka-Fifita, and the loss of Regan Hughes to injury during the match, North Sydney have bounced back from last week’s shock loss to Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles to record a hard-fought 26-18 win over a spirited Mounties at Aubrey keech Reserve.

North Sydney got off to a dream start scoring with their first set of possession in just the second minute, after a sweeping backline movement enabled five-eighth Lachlan Lam to put winger Tom Carr away down the western touchline with a brilliant cut-out pass to score in the corner.

Some concerted pressure enabled Mounties to hit back with a smart try to centre Tim Simona and with fullback Dylan Smith sneaking the conversion over from out wide courtesy of the crossbar, Mounties led 6-4 after 10 minutes.

Having enjoyed several repeat sets, the Bears took a slender 8-6 lead at halftime after winger Toa Mata’afa crossed over in the 25th minute in the corner, with centre Adam Keighran unable to convert from out wide once again.

North Sydney should have extended their lead early in the second half when a cut-out pass created the overlap for Mata’afa to score his second his second only for the winger to put his foot into touch.

The missed opportunity proved telling when off the back of a penalty, Mounties regained a 12-8 lead after 47 minutes when halfback Josh Ralph strolled through a yawning gap to cross over next to the posts from close range.

Having bombed a certain try five minutes earlier, Mata’afa atoned in quick fashion to score the first of North Sydney’s back-to-back tries in the 50th minute to put the Bears ahead by two, courtesy of Keighran’s conversion from the sideline.

A converted try to back-rower Jacob Preston in the 64th minute pushed the lead out to 22-12, the biggest of the game to date.

A grandstand finish ensued when Mounties centre Semisi Kioa barged his way over from close range in the 69th minute for the home side to once again trail by just four points.

A late penalty to the Bears proved telling when lock forward Naufahu Whyte crashed over from close range to give Keighran his easiest conversion attempt of the afternoon to restore the visitors’ ten-point lead which would not be relinquished up to the full-time siren.

Talking points

Tom Carr’s second minute try continues his stellar 2022 season, having scored 14 tries to date.

The normally reliable left boot of Adam Keighran was certainly put to the test in tricky conditions at Aubrey Keech Reserve despite the fine conditions. Having missed his opening two conversion attempts from out wide, Keighran was lucky to land his third attempt which put the Bears back in front in the 52nd minute with a conversion attempt that bounced successfully inside the far post.

Several first half kicks from Mounties ended up going out on the full or going into touch in goal, releasing any pressure they had started to build and handing over valuable possession.

Key moment

Having bombed what was almost a certain try early in the second half, North Sydney winger Toa Mata’afa made amends five minutes later with his second try of the afternoon that put the Bears back in front. The try proved telling as the Bears never relinquished the lead from that moment on to record an important win that keeps their hopes of a top-four finish alive.

What's next?

The Bears will travel to CommBank Stadium next Saturday to take on the Eels, with both sides establishing themselves as premiership contenders so far in 2022.

The 10th placed Mounties will be looking to return to the winners circle when they host St George Illawarra Dragons next Sunday at Aubrey Keech Reserve.

Canberra Raiders v Penrith Panthers

Raiders upset Panthers in the nation’s capital

Jason Hosken

Game summary

Canberra Raiders belied their position on The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup ladder to hand the top of the table Penrith Panthers a third straight loss with an impressive 34-12 victory at Raiders Belconnen.

Proving last week’s win over the second placed Newtown Jets was no fluke, the consecutive scalps sees the Raiders, who started the day in seventh spot, now trail the Panthers by just two competition points after 14 rounds.

A fired up Raiders set the scene from the get-go and made short work of the Panthers’ left edge to lead 4-0 when winger Elijah Anderson crossed in the opening set.

Missing regular halves Kurt Falls and Sean O’Sullivan, Penrith struggled to find their range although Sunia Turuva made the most of repeat sets in the 10th minute. Early ball saw Turuva, who was playing in the centres, prove too elusive for the home side’s left edge and with Niwhai Puru’s conversion, Penrith led by two.

From there, continued errors ruined Penrith’s afternoon. It was all the Raiders needed, and they raced in another three tries before the break to open an unassailable 22-6 lead.

Back-rower Ata Mariota powered over in the 19th minute. Then centre Albert Hopoate flew above Charlie Staines for Canberra’s third, before fullback Rayden Burns grounded a Brad Schneider grubber just minutes before halftime.

Burns’ afternoon sadly ended due to injury shortly upon the resumption and when Turuva completed his double in the next set, down 22-12, Penrith weren't without hope.

Any chance the Panthers had of preventing a third successive loss were dashed when Hopoate, filling in at fullback, busted through several lazy defenders to put the result beyond doubt.

A late try to replacement Clay Webb was the icing on the cake in a comprehensive Raiders performance.

Talking points 

After making his NRL debut last week, back-rower Trey Mooney didn’t skip a beat in his return to The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup. A damaging charge on the right-edge paved the way for Canberra’s opening try in the first minute.

Penrith’s season has stalled on the back of Origin commitments but they were well served by NSW Cup regulars J'maine Hopgood and hooker Soni Luke.

With two tries, Albert Hopoate was a standout at both centre and fullback for Canberra. Returning for the first time since Round 11, the former Sea Eagle is sure to cause plenty of headaches for opposition teams in the run to the finals.

Key moment 

With the Raiders leading 16-6 five minutes before halftime, playmaker's Joshua James and Brad Schneider combined to effectively put the result beyond doubt.

A fifth tackle James chip-kick forced a goal-line restart, then in the next set, Burns grounded a perfect Schneider grubber to give Canberra a healthy 16-point advantage.

What’s next?

A difficult month for the Panthers continues next Saturday when they head to Henson Park for a top of the table clash with the Newtown Jets. On Sunday, the Raiders will look to extend their hot streak against Newcastle Knights at GIO Stadium.

Western Suburbs Magpies v Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles

Magpies hold off valiant Sea Eagles

Anthony Eltarraf

Game summary

The Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles’ late onslaught proved too little, too late as the Western Suburbs Magpies held on for a 40-30 victory at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on Sunday.

Junior Pauga opened the scoring for the home side with an acrobatic finish following a lovely flick pass from Asu Kepaoa.

Fa’amanu Brown – a late inclusion at lock – made his mark on the game shortly after, with a show-and-go to score beside the posts. Brown was soon part of the action again, setting up Wests’ next try with a short ball for Aitasi James who crashed his way over the line.

A fourth try for the Magpies came from another backline shift, this time down the left flank with Israel Ogden scoring in the corner.

Then Pauga’s second try capped off a dominant first half display by the hosts. The Magpies went to the break with a convincing 28-0 lead.

The Sea Eagles looked to make a statement to begin the second half, and it was courtesy of veteran winger Jorge Taufua, who powered his way through to touch down in the corner.

It didn’t take long for the Magpies to respond, however, as fullback Junior Tupou fooled the opposition defence with a dummy to score his side’s sixth try of the afternoon.

The second half saw both teams exchange tries, with the visitors answering back with their second four-pointer through a barging Alex Tuitavake.

The pattern continued as Jake Simpkin added his name to the scoresheet, crashing over from dummy-half to extend Wests’ lead back to 28 points.

Again the Sea Eagles were able to respond when hooker James Segeyaro pushed his way over the line to score next to the posts, before scoring his second in almost identical fashion four minutes from full-time.

The Magpies added to their very late showing as Segeyaro popped up again to secure his hattrick in just 10 minutes, backing up in support to complete a 70-metre team effort only seconds from the final whistle.

Talking points

The Magpies’ backline dominated most of the game, showing off their skill, speed and agility to help their side to victory.

Fa’amanu Brown continues to stake his claim for more time in the Wests Tigers’ first grade side, showcasing his versatility in a starring role at lock for the Magpies.

The Sea Eagles’ errors ultimately proved costly, as their late surge showed what could have been if they remained more disciplined throughout the game.

Key moment

The Magpies’ first half display alone was enough to get the win, with 28 unanswered points in the opening period proving too much to overcome for the Sea Eagles.

What’s next?

The Magpies travel to Belmore to face the Bulldogs next weekend, while the Sea Eagles host the Rabbitohs as they look to bounce back from their loss.

Newcastle Knights v Newtown Jets

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v Parramatta Eels

Bulldogs fight back against Eels to stake top four credentials

Mitchell Farrugia

Game summary

The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have solidified their top four hope with a 10-point win over the Parramatta Eels at Accor Stadium.

It was the Bulldogs who hit the board first thanks to a dart-like pass from Matt Dufty which found Jayden Okunbor. Despite the solid start, the Eels players stepped up, as a stabbing Jake Arthur kick close to the line was pounced on by Bryce Cartwright to level the score.

Hayze Perham and Tom Opacic followed suit with four-pointers of their own to push Parramatta into the lead. 21-year-old winger Creedence Toia kept the Bulldogs in the fight with a try through the middle of the field eight minutes before half time bringing the Bulldogs within four points of the Eels.  

Jordan Rankin left the field for the Eels with a hamstring complaint and the Bulldogs started the second half the stronger side courtesy of Jackson Topine and back in the lead thanks to Paul Alamoti’s perfect boot.

The Dogs breaking the game open as Okunbor was able to find Dufty who streaked away to score. Dufty continued to look dangerous as the Dogs searched for the game sealing try with ten minutes to go. The four pointer eventually coming with Phillip Makatoa gliding over untouched to push the Bulldogs lead out to 14. A late try to the Eels not enough, 30 to 20 the final score.

Talking points

Matt Dufty was again impressive in the NSW cup, adding experience to the Bulldogs outfit and much needed speed. The fullback scored a try and is knocking on the door of an NRL recall.

Winger Jayden Okunbor stood tall for the Dogs, bagging a try in a solid outing.

Key moment

With just two points separating the sides, a quick run to the right saw Bailey Biondi-Odo get the ball away to a flying Jayden Okunbor who motored down the edge, drawing in defenders to then hit the Matt Dufty, streaking away to score untouched. The effort crucial in swinging the momentum well in favour of the Bulldogs.

What’s next?

Next week the Eels have another tough clash on Saturday, coming up against the fourth placed North Sydney Bears at CommBank Stadium. Meanwhile the Bulldogs will look to bounce back when they play the Western Suburbs Magpies on Sunday at CommBank Stadium.