Recap | The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup - Round 19

Raiders fall short after remarkable Bulldogs comeback

Raiders.com.au & NSWRL

Game summary

The Canberra Raiders suffered a disappointing defeat at GIO Stadium on Saturday, unable to overcome an unlikely comeback by the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in Round 19 of The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup.

Despite the Raiders boasting a 22-point lead in the opening 23 minutes, the Bulldogs produced six straight tries between the 32nd and 47th minute – carrying their momentum to victory as a result.

It was the Canberra who managed the perfect start, with Elijah Anderson crossing over in the second minute for the first try of the afternoon. Brad Schneider made no mistake with the sideline conversion to give the Raiders a 6-0 lead.

After a strong Nicoll-Klokstad carry the Raiders went over again through Frawley, who pierced the Bulldogs’ defence to score under the posts.

Canberra hooker Adrian Trevilyan then crossed three minutes later by forcing his way over from two metres out.

Schneider soon got in on the try-scoring act, collecting the ball off an attacking scrum and dragging three defenders over the line.

The Bulldogs finally put themselves the scoreboard after an offload from second-rower Reece Hoffman, finding fullback Creedence Toia 20 metres from the line.

The visitors then found another gear to score a further six tries and build a 16-point lead with less than 20 minutes remaining.

The Raiders scored late through winger Steven Numambo, but it Bulldogs halfback Bailey-Biondi-Odo who put the final touches on the win a field goal in the 78th minute.

Talking points

The Raiders’ starting props Peter Hola and Ata Mariota were stand outs in a losing, while halfback Frawley showed moments of brilliance a try and try assist.

New Bulldogs recruit Jeral Skelton has really found his feet in the centres in just his second starting appearance for the blue and white, scoring his third try in two games, making 15 tackle busts and running for 219 metres against the Raiders.

Key moment

At six points behind going into the break, the start to the second half was key for the Bulldogs to carry their momentum and possibly take the lead for the first time in the match. They did that in the 42nd minute when Biondi-Odo grubbered into the in-goal for back-rower Reece Hoffman to place the ball down and score.

What’s next?

The Raiders host the Dragons on Saturday, while the Bulldogs have a Round 20 bye before facing the Bears on Sunday 7 August.

Newcastle Knights v St George Illawarra Dragons

Newtown Jets v North Sydney Bears

Top-of-the-table Jets surge to victory over Bears

Hugo Lumb

Game summary

The ladder-leading Newtown Jets put on a second half clinic, from an 8-0 halftime deficit, to beat the North Sydney Bears 20-14 at Henson Park.

Despite the slippery conditions, both sides made minimal errors in the opening exchanges of play. But with the first Jets mistake the Bears immediately capitalised, scoring first points through halfback Sandon Smith in the 10th minute.

Smith's was the only try scored for the remainder of the half, with Adam Keighran converting the four-pointer before slotting a penalty goal later in the half to give the Bears an 8-0 lead at the break.

The Jets were handed great attacking field position early in the second half after an error from the Bears. Newtown followed it up with a try through centre Mawene Hiroti, who crossed in the 42nd minute.

The Jets continued to build momentum with two more four-pointers to barnstorming front-rower Frankin Pele and winger Matt Ikuvalu, giving the Jets a six-point lead with 25 minutes left.

Soon after it was North Sydney fullback Ethan King who responded for the visitors with a try of his own. Keighran converted to lock the scores at 14-all with 18 minutes remaining.

As the game entered the final 10 minutes, five-eighth Lachlan Miller laid on a perfect inside ball to fullback Kade Dykes, who burst his way over to score the eventual match-winner for the Jets in the 71st minute.

The Newtown side closed out the 20-14 victory with some strong defence to prevent the Bears from a late try. The Jets' empathic second half performance helped the Jets to their 11th win of the season, solidifying their position at the top of the table for another week.

Talking points

The matchup lived up to the title of a top four clash, with both sides displaying great skill and defensive effort at Henson Park.

In wet conditions the result was going to be heavily influenced by the forward packs of both sides. The Jets ultimately won this battle through their physicality and strong ball-running.

Following the departure of Lachlan Lam, stand-in five-eighth Adam Keighran played solidly. His kicking game kept the Jets' back three under pressure and gave the Bears the territorial advantage in the first half. He also finished the game with a 100% conversion rate. 

Key moment

In the last 10 minutes the Jets had a fresh set of six in close range of the opposition line. After shifting the ball, Newtown five-eighth Lachlan Miller opted to step inside before putting the in-form Kade Dykes through a gap, who then crossed for game-winner in the 71st minute. 

What's next?

The Bears will have a bye in Round 20 and then face the Bulldogs in two weeks’ time in another top four battle. The Jets will be back at Henson Park when they face the Rabbitohs next Saturday.

South Sydney Rabbitohs v Mounties

Rabbitohs put Mounties to the sword to keep top eight spot

Stewart Moses

Game summary

The seventh-placed South Sydney Rabbitohs have come away from a damp Accor Stadium with two vital competition points, recording a 30-0 win over Mounties on Saturday night.

The win puts the Rabbitohs’ finals push back on track having come into the game on the back of a three-match losing streak.

The Rabbitohs were never headed in the contest after skipping out to a handy 10-point lead inside the opening 20 minutes, courtesy of an Izaac Thompson double. He went on to score a hattrick by full-time.

The visitors, having lost possession early in the game, were punished for a follow-up indiscretion when half Dean Hawkins threw a long, floating cut-out pass to put Thompson over in the northwest corner to give the Rabbitohs a 4-0 lead after just three minutes of play.

Having weathered the storm from Mounties, who had several attacking opportunities inside Souths’ 20, Thompson had his second midway through the half when a pass deflected off an opposing hand into the winger’s grasp to score. This time fullback Blake Taaffe made no mistake with the conversion attempt to give his side a two-try lead which remained until halftime.

South Sydney didn’t take long to extend their lead to 16 when veteran Yileen Gordon offloaded in traffic near the line for fellow interchange forward Romano Cook to dive over in the 46th minute.

Thompson soon had his hattrick three minutes later, when a quick shift left inside the attacking 20 resulted with the winger crossing in the southeast corner. Taaffe again converted from the sideline as the Rabbitohs suddenly led by 22.

Souths’ dominance continued when hooker Shannon Gardiner finished off a promising raid down Mounties’ left edge to score out wide with fifteen minutes remaining, converted by Taaffe to give the home side a commanding 28-nil lead.

Mounties’ night wasn’t helped when halfback Jarrett Subloo was sin-binned on the stroke of full-time, with the Rabbitohs taking the two points to complete the 30-0 win.

Talking points

Izaac Thompson’s second hat-trick of the season sees the Souths winger move to 16 tries scored for the season to date.

The loss for Mounties makes a potential late run for the finals an even tougher task, as they now sit eight points adrift of the top eight with five matches remaining.

Key moment

Just when he looked to be held up over the try-line, veteran forward Yileen Gordon turned back the clock by producing an offload in heavy traffic to enable teammate Romano Cook to score the easiest of tries. The try pushed the Rabbitohs out to a 16-point lead early in the second half, effectively snuffing out any hopes Mounties had of staging a comeback.

What's next?

The Rabbitohs will look to consolidate their position when they travel to Henson Park next Monday to take on the Jets, while Mounties aim to return to winning ways when they take on the Magpies at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.

Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles v Penrith Panthers

Panthers clinical in victory over Sea Eagles

Anthony Eltarraf

Game summary

The Penrith Panthers put on a clinical display to thrash the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles 48-6 at HE Laybutt Field on Sunday afternoon.

It was a slow start to the game, but the Panthers were able to break the deadlock through a shift to their left edge which found Daeon Amituanai, who touched down in the corner.

Two tries in as many minutes followed for the second-placed Panthers, through a double for Amituanai before Thomas Jenkins went over following a Lindsay Smith break to give them an 18-point lead.

Charlie Staines closed out an impressive first-half display with a solo effort, stepping his way through the Sea Eagles’ line and scoring between the posts. Four from four conversions off the boot of Jack Cole gave Penrith a 24-0 lead into half time.

The visitors carried their momentum into the second half, scoring four tries in the space of eighteen minutes through Preston Riki, Jack Cole, Soni Luke and a rampaging Chris Smith.

With just seven minutes remaining, the Sea Eagles finally grabbed their first points of the afternoon, scoring a consolation try through Pio Seci, who dived over in the corner. A dominant display from the Penrith Panthers saw them claim the victory over the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles, 48 points to 6.

Talking points

The Panthers found it way too easy to score against a disorganised Sea Eagles defence, with tries coming in consecutive intervals for the visitors.

Penrith’s defence held up strong as they defended their line on a number of occasions, while minimising the opposition’s chances.

The Sea Eagles struggled in all areas on the pitch, failing to score any points until the very end of the match and letting in 48 points.

Key moment

Charlie Staines’ solo effort really secured the Panthers’ dominant performance in the first 40 and gave them a solid platform to carry their momentum into the second half.

What’s next?

The Sea Eagles have next weekend off with a Bye as they will look to improve significantly on this afternoons performance, while the Panthers head to Parramatta to face the 4th placed Eels in what promises to be a mouth-watering clash.