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

Rabbitohs overcome Panthers with last-gasp try

Stewart Moses

Game summary

South Sydney Rabbitohs have scored with the last play of the match against Penrith Panthers, securing an 18-16 win at Accor Stadium in Round Eight of The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup.

An encouraging start from the home side was rewarded with a try to perennial scoring winger Tom Carr in the seventh minute, duly converted by Blake Taaffe.

Taaffe’s penalty goal in the 13th minute extended Souths’ lead out to eight before Penrith opened their account soon after through centre Matt Stimson, with five-eighth Jack Cole failing to convert.

A try to South Sydney interchange forward Brock Gray in the 27th minute was converted once more by Taaffe, extended the Rabbitohs lead to 10 points. They held their lead into the main break.

Whilst Souths dominated the opening half, Penrith gained some ascendancy in the second after scoring three unconverted tries to take control of the game.

Their first try of the second half was scored by Thomas Jenkins, finishing a slick movement in the corner to narrow the gap to within a converted try.

A penalty deep in Rabbitohs territory enabled the Panthers to bring the gap within two, Cole’s cut-out pass on the last tackle put winger Daeon Amituanai over in the 51st minute.

A South Sydney error in their own half allowed the Panthers to take a 16-14 lead for the first time in the match in the 61st minute. Penrith centre Jesse McLean won a hotly contested race to ground Kurt Falls’ grubber on the fifth tackle.

The Rabbitohs took possession after a 40/20 in the closing minutes of play, which was soon followed by a sin-bin to Panthers prop Eddie Blacker for a professional foul.

South Sydney’s decision against taking the shot at goal paid dividends, when a quick shift saw winger Cody Hodge to cross in the corner to steal the 18-16 win.

Talking points

South Sydney’s win over Penrith was their second for the season, with the previous victory coming in Round Four against Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles.

The Panthers’ outside backs were the shining lights in a losing side, with both wingers and centres - Amituanai, Jenkins, Stimson and McLean – all getting on the scoresheet.

Penrith’s conversion rate proved costly in their two-point defeat, having scored one more try than their opposition.

Key moment

In a chaotic final two minutes, the 40/20 from South Sydney followed by their last-play effort from ultimately decided the end result in a hard-fought contest.

What's next?

Next Saturday the Rabbitohs face Canberra Raiders at McDonalds Park, Wagga Wagga, before the Panthers host Western Suburbs Magpies in the later game at Carrington Park, Bathurst.

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v Newtown Jets

Jets come from behind to down Dogs

Anthony Eltarraf

Game summary

The Newtown Jets overcame a 10-point deficit against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, scoring 28 unanswered points to seal a 28-10 victory at Accor Stadium.

The hosts opened the scoring with two well-worked tries on either wing. The first was scored by Harry Hayes through a slick right-side shift before an almost identical play, on the left flank saw Blake Wilson go over to put the Dogs in front by ten.

After the Jets’ Billy Magoulias was sent to the sin bin for a high shot, the Bulldogs looked certain to extend their margin. However, it was the Jets who brought themselves back within a try through a strong solo effort from Connor Tracey giving his side a necessary momentum boost going into half time.

The Jets came out firing in the second half, scoring early through Tracey again following a brilliant outside-in play to put his side in front for the first time.

The visitors then extended their lead to 18-10 when Jayden Berrell darted out from dummy half to lay the ball on a platter for Kayal Iro to score untouched.

Newtown continued the momentum, scoring two more tries through a scrappy effort from Daniel Atkinson, followed by a try in the corner to Josh Mansour, which completed the Jets’ 28-10 win.

Talking points

The Bulldogs failed to capitalise on Billy Magoulias’ sin-binning, instead, conceding a try shortly before halftime, giving the Jets momentum going into the second half.

The Jets came out determined in the second half and were able to complete a convincing comeback over the Bulldogs.

This win takes Newtown up to equal Premiership points with the Bulldogs

Key moment

The Jets’ first try before halftime gave them a solid momentum boost going into the second but it was Connor Tracey’s second try that gave the visitors their first lead of the game and laid the platform for a dominant second-half performance. A beautifully worked outside-in play saw Jacob Gagan lay the ball off for Tracey who went over near the touchline.

What’s next?

The Bulldogs look to bounce back next week, facing off against the St George Illawarra Dragons at WIN Stadium, while the Jets seek a third consecutive victory as they host the North Sydney Bears at Henson Park.

Warriors v Parramatta Eels

Warriors surge to top spot with big win

Richard Becht, Warriors Media

A 48-4 win over Parramatta Eels at North Harbour Stadium in Round Eight has propelled the Warriors to the top of The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup ladder.

The Slade Griffin-coached side went into the match at second on 10 competition points, two behind Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.

However, the Bulldogs were beaten by Newtown Jets and the Warriors seized the opportunity, having their biggest win of the season to leap into top spot on for and against.

After a scoreless opening quarter, the home side poured on the points with tries to 17-year-old second-rower Leka Halasima, Demitric Sifakula, centre Ali Leiataua and halfback Ronald Volkman. Volkman supplied conversions for all four tries to give the Warriors a 24-0 lead at the break.

They kept on scoring in the second half with another four converted tries - Halasima and Volkman each scoring a second - to power the Warriors to a commanding victory.

Talking points

With a perfect goal kicking record, Volkman had a total of 24 points to take him to 96 for the season so far.

It's the fourth time in eight matches that the Warriors have scored 40 or more points. In earlier matches they beat Newcastle 42-20 and 54-14, and the Sea Eagles 40-30.

Western Suburbs Magpies v Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles

Magpies out-muscle Sea Eagles in gripping affair

Hugo Lumb

Game summary

Western Suburbs Magpies overcame a slow start against the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles to win 24-16, recording their fourth victory for the season in Round Eight of The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup.

The Sea Eagles were rewarded for an encouraging start in the eighth minute, with prop Ben Condon muscling his way over to score under the posts.

Trailing by six points and playing with 12 men after some foul play from prop Aitasi James, the Magpies responded with lock Justin Matamuma storming onto a short ball from five-eighth Will Smith in the 13^th minute.

The Magpies continued the ascendency with a long range line-break orchestrated by halfback Daine Laurie and fullback Israel Ogden. They would quickly score their second try with Laurie spreading the ball for second-rower Brandon Mansfield to stroll over in the 21^st minute.

The Sea Eagles hit back with winger Clayton Faulalo diving in the corner to move the margin back to two in the 29^th minute.

As the halftime siren sounded, Smith slotted a penalty goal to make the score 14-10.

The Magpies came out firing in the second half but were repelled consistently by some resilient Sea Eagles defence.

The deadlock was broken when Sea Eagles halfback Jamie Humphreys broke through a tackle and laid the ball off to centre Fletcher Myers, who beat a charging David Nofoaluma to the line. Humphreys converted to bring the score to 16-14 with less than 20 minutes remaining.

As the game entered the latter stages, two tries from back-rowers Shawn Blore and Ben Mansfield ultimately sealed the victory for the Magpies. It was Wests’ first win since Round Five, solidifying their position in the top half of the table. 

Talking points

With elder brother Samuela debuting in the Sea Eagles’ NRL fixture, Latu Fainu played his first game of NSW cup. Fainu played at five-eighth and, despite the result, seemed unphased by the step up in competition.

In his first match at halfback, Daine Laurie staked his claim for a return to the Tigers’ NRL team, steering the Magpies’ pack around the park and producing two try assists.

Key moment

In a game full of momentum shifts, it was the NRL experience of the Magpies that shone through. That experience came to the fore when back-rower Shawn Blore found a four-pointer to regain the Magpies’ lead in the 64^th minute, establishing a margin that wasn’t breached by the Sea Eagles for the remainder of the game.

What’s next?

On Saturday the Magpies face the Penrith Panthers at Carrington Park as the curtain-raiser for the NRL fixture. The Sea Eagles have the bye in Round Nine, and will then meet St George Illawarra Dragons in Round 10 at North Sydney Oval.

North Sydney Bears v Newcastle Knights

Bears secure back-to-back wins with victory over the Knights

Pranav Harish

Game summary

The North Sydney Bears are in the top four on The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup ladder after a 32-6 win over Newcastle Knights in Round Eight.

Junior Pauga picked up where he left of last week with his try scoring efforts, notching up a hat-trick as the Knights attack did little to trouble the home side.

Pauga scored the first try of the match down the western touchline after the Bears marched downfield off the back of a strong opening set.

Newcastle knocked on from an attempt to diffuse Jesse Marschke’s kick on the last tackle, leading to the first four-pointer of the game.

The Bears’ outside backs led the charge against the Knights with strong ball carries. Pauga eventually scored his second try in the same spot as the Knights’ defence failed to number up.

North Sydney established a 10-nil lead after barely 20 minutes of play, with their ball movement improving with consecutive tries. The score-line remained at the halftime break. 

North Sydney scored to open the second half through Zach Dockar-Clay to take a 14-point lead. The lock forward did well to reel the ball back in and score just short of the dead-ball line.

Pauga secured his hat-trick this time scoring a try untouched. A few effective carries from the Bears’ forwards opened up the space down the left edge to put Pauga over the line.

Cahleb Faulker scored the Knights’ only try after latching onto a fifth-tackle kick from Adam Clune, giving the visitors a consolation four-pointer.

Josh Bergamin helped the Bears extend their lead to 24-6 when he scored under the posts. Reuben Porter later scored to make it 28-6. Katoa then scored a runaway try down the sideline to round off the win for the red and black.

Talking points

Billy Smith made his comeback from injury in Bears colours. The centre was strong in his stint, making some handy metres and busting through several tackles out of the backfield.

The home side were bolstered by the return of their formidable front row combination, featuring Terrell May, Ben Thomas, and Fletcher Baker. 

Key moment

After being awarded consecutive penalties, the Knights had a chance to score on North Sydney’s right edge with just over 15 minutes left in the first half.

Winger Keanu-Wainohu Kemp may have scored during one of those attacking sets without a forward pass in the leadup, which would have given Newcastle a confidence boost going into the break.

What’s next?

The Bears will take on the Newtown Jets at Henson Park next Saturday while Newcastle will have a short turnaround for their clash against the Eels next Friday.

Sydney Roosters v St George Illawarra Dragons

Dragons hold off Roosters for 12-point win

Alex Hrissis

Game summary

The Sydney Roosters hosted rivals St George Illawarra Dragons in Round Eight of The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup on Sunday, as the Dragons came away with a 30-18 win.

The home side established early dominance when lock Riley Meyn barged his way through two Dragons defenders and fended off another before crashing over to secure first points.

The Roosters made it a double when captain Sandon Smith threw a cut-out pass to Jade Anderson, who ran between the posts to score. Sam Walker converted for 12-0 lead.

St George Illawarra got back in the contest nice when halfback Jayden Sullivan found a gap in the defence, before passing to Alexander Lobb out wide for the try.

Lobb scored his second when the Dragons found themselves within 10 metres line using his strength to push through several defenders and crash over right of the post. Sullivan was unable to convert as the Roosters kept a 12-10 lead.

The Dragons took the lead for the first time when five-eighth Zach Herring produced an offload for rugby union convert Savelio Tamale, who stepped past the last defender to score.

The visitors extended their lead over the when Lobb once again had the ball out wide, stepping past one and flicking out to lock Dan Russell who dived over. Sullivan converted to make the score 22-12 at halftime.

The Dragons picked up where they left off in the second half when some slick passing saw captain Billy Burns run straight into the defence and crash over for his second try of the season.

The Roosters fought back when speedy centre Ethan Clark-Wood broke away on the blind side to score his side’s first try of the second half. The successful conversion left the home side trailing by eight points with 16 minutes to play.

St George Illawarra responded minutes later when Sullivan threw a tidy pass to Tamale, who fizzed the ball out to Lobb before the crossed for a hat-trick. A missed conversion from Sullivan resulted in an 18-30 final score.

Key moment

The Dragons had their backs to the wall early in the contest having conceded two tries in the opening seven minutes, until some individual brilliance from Sullivan sent Lobb over toe score. From that moment the Dragons went on to score another four unanswered tries.

Talking points

Sullivan produced another strong performance in the NSW Cup, where his strong kicking game and first-half assist will be sure to catch the eye of NRL coach Anthony Griffin.

Sam Walker being named for the Roosters pushed Sandon Smith to fullback, which proved an effective change as Smith looked comfortable under the high ball, utilising his speed to break the line on several occasions.

What’s next?

In Round Nine the Roosters travel to Auckland to face the in-form Warriors on Sunday, while Dragons play host to the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in Wollongong.