Recap | The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup - Round 11

Panthers back to winning form in hard-fought Roosters clash

Stewart Moses

Game summary

Eighth-placed Penrith Panthers have secured victory for the first time in four games, hanging on to beat the Sydney Roosters 16-14 at BlueBet Stadium in Round 11 of The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup.

Penrith scored three tries late in the first half to lead 16-0 at the main break, but the Roosters kept the home side scoreless and produced three second-half tries, still trailing by two points.

The Panthers were rewarded for their early dominance when Jack Cogger stepped through the goal-line defence to force his way over next to the posts after just six minutes. The half made the simple conversion for a 6-0 lead.

Penrith doubled their lead in the 29^th minute courtesy of hooker Luke Sommerton’s efforts, burrowing his way over to score underneath the posts.

Penrith made it back-to-back tries, scoring in the next set when young centre Samuel Lane finished off a backline movement to lead 16-0.

Repeat sets inside the Panthers’ 20 enabled the Roosters to open their account in the 49^th minute, allowing late inclusion Drew Hutchinson to score out wide. With the successful conversion from Smith, the Roosters trailed by 10 points with 30 minutes remaining.

When winger Jade Anderson finished off a slick movement to score midway through the second half, the Roosters were behind by just the converted try with plenty of game time remaining.

Anderson scored his second try to close the deficit within two points with seven minutes left, but despite the Roosters’ best attempts over the closing minutes the Panthers hung on for an important win.

Talking points

Both teams came into the clash trying to put an end to recent losing streaks – the Panthers with three straight defeats and the Roosters with four.

Penrith offset the suspension of John Faiumu with Preston Riki, making his return from injury for the Panthers.

Key moment

While goal-kicking was important in this game, it was Penrith’s back-to-back tries late in the opening half to go ahead 16-0 which proved to be a key period of the match. It ultimately gave the Panthers enough points to hold off the visitors and secure victory.

What's next?

Next Saturday the Panthers travel to Leichhardt Oval to face the Western Suburbs Magpies. The Sydney Roosters will look to avoid a sixth straight loss when they take on St George Illawarra Dragons at Collegians Sporting Complex, Wollongong.

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v Warriors

Bulldogs play out thrilling draw with Warriors

Anthony Eltarraf

Game summary

The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and New Zealand Warriors shared competition points in a thrilling 14-all draw at Belmore Sports Ground on Saturday afternoon.

Luke Metcalf opened the scoring with a dazzling solo effort in his first game back from injury, breaking through the Bulldogs’ line and racing away to score before converting his own try.

The hosts responded through the middle with a quick play-the-ball from Ryan Sutton, allowing Kyle Flanagan to hand the ball off to a charging Kurtis Morrin, who touched down next to the posts.

The Bulldogs took the lead for the first time after some second-phase play gave Flanagan the opportunity to take on the short side and throw a cut-out pass to Jeral Skelton to go over. A second successful conversion from Flanagan saw the Bulldogs lead 12-6 at halftime.

The first points in the second half came through a Flanagan penalty goal in the 67^th minute to extend the Dogs’ lead to 14-6.

The Warriors brought the deficit within two points with nine minutes remaining when Viliami Vailea offloaded to fullback Taine Tuaupiki, who scored next to the posts.

The Bulldogs looked to have sealed the win before a failed kick for touch gifted the Warriors easy yardage. A Warriors penalty gave the visitors an opportunity to equalise and Eiden Ackland did just that, securing the 14-all draw.

Talking points

Both teams held firm in defence, especially in the second half with only one try scored.

The forward packs led their respective teams in the middle with strong showings on and off the ball.

Key moment

The Warriors’ eight-point comeback late in the match was a crucial period in the contest. The fightback began with a try to Taine Tuaupiki with nine minutes to go, coming off a well-executed left-side shift.

What’s next?

The Bulldogs face the North Sydney Bears next week as they look to get back to winning ways, while the Warriors have the bye in Round 12.

South Sydney Rabbitohs v Western Suburbs Magpies

Rabbitohs overcome 20-point deficit in Saturday thriller

Mitchell Roese

Game summary

South Sydney Rabbitohs have stolen victory at the death for the second straight week, scoring 26 unanswered points and turning around a 20-point halftime deficit to beat Western Suburbs Magpies 26-22 in Round 11.

The Magpies opened the scoring early on with Will Smith throwing short to Semisi Kioa to barge over.

Western Suburbs were on the board again seven minutes later – Daine Laurie rag-dolling Blake Taaffe to force an error before Livai Saukuru pounced on the loose ball to score.

Th Rabbitohs were unable to convert sets into points in the first half, while the Magpies had no issue. Laurie created space down the left edge for centre Triston Reilly to muscle past Taaffe and score the Magpies’ third of the half.

Shaun Blore barged over to score on the right edge late in the half, before the Rabbitohs settled for a penalty goal in front after the halftime siren. The half time score was 22-2.

Despite the 20-point margin at the break, both teams shared equal possession while completing sets at 68 percent.

Some through-the-hands play provided South Sydney with their first try of the match to open the second half, with second-rower Ethan O’Neill busting through Western Suburbs’ line to score.

The Rabbitohs then scored three more tries in a 10-minute flurry to trail by two with 15 minutes remaining. Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson bagged a double with Tom Carr scoring the other.

The Rabbitohs’ comeback was completed when Thompson tiptoed down the left edge and dived over with an inch-perfect put-down.

Talking points

Blake Taaffe again proved dangerous for the opposition defence. His fast footwork and quick acceleration kept the Magpies’ edges on their toes, and the fullback also set up the match-winning try for the second time in as many games.

South Sydney reversed their try-less first half to keep Western Suburbs scoreless in the second, scoring 26 unanswered points in an unlikely turnaround.

The Magpies have now scored 20 or more points in three of five defeats this season.

Key moment

Blake Taaffe’s two try assists including the long ball for winger Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson to score in the corner to break the hearts of their opposition and secure the win for South Sydney.

What’s next?

The Rabbitohs face the Parramatta Eels on Friday as they look for their third successive win, while the Magpies return to Leichhardt Oval in a week’s time to host the Penrith Panthers.

Canberra Raiders v Parramatta Eels

Raiders comprehensive in Round 11 victory

Tahlie Gavin

Game summary

The Canberra Raiders have come out on top against Parramatta Eels with a comprehensive 46-12 win at GIO Stadium in The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup.

It was an excellent performance all-round by the Raiders, scoring three first-half tries to take an 18-6 lead at halftime. They continued their dominance in the second half by scoring another five tries on the way to victory.

Canberra only took four minutes to put points on the board when Hohepa Puru made a line-break close to halfway and found a pass for fullback Xavier Savage to score.

The Eels weren’t too far behind as they managed to level the scores through captain Jordan Rankin, using his strength to push through the Raiders’ defence and stick an arm out for the try.

Luke Webley was next to score for the Raiders as he picked up a loose ball from Isaac Lumelume and raced towards the try-line.

With a minute before halftime, Brad Schneider put in a short grubber for Corey Harawira-Naera to ground the ball in-goal and extend the Raiders’ lead. Schneider converted for 18-6.

Puru took immediately took control of the second half, running from dummy-half to score in the 41^st minute.

The next two tries – within five minutes of each other – resulted from the work of James Schiller, with Schneider successfully converting both. The first of Schiller’s tries came off a pass from Brad Morkos, and for his second Schiller jumped above Lumelume to gain possession and score.

The Eels then scored one more try for the night as Meni Luke forced his way over the line for the visitors. Rankin’s conversion took the score to 34-12.

Utuloa Asomua was the third Raider to score a double for the night in the 70^th minute. Harley Smith-Shields got a pass away to Asomua, who ran unoccupied down the wing for the try.

Raiders skipper Trey Mooney capped off the night with a strong run through the defence, fending and powering over the line to score and help the Raiders to their 46-12 victory.

Talking points

Parramatta’s Toni Mataele was put on report midway through the first half for high contact on Canberra back-rower Corey Harawira-Naera.

Hohepa Puru was taken off for a HIA towards the end of the second half. Puru, who has recently been playing at dummy-half for Raiders, was one of the Raiders’ best against the Eels.

Key moment

Schiller’s second try with about 30 minutes remaining meant the Raiders weren’t going to be run down. The centre put on a strong kick-chase, and as he ran towards Lumelume waiting to receive the ball, Schiller leapt above the winger and comfortably took the ball over the try-line. This brilliant individual effort by Schiller took the Raiders to an unassailable lead.

What’s next?

The Eels will face the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Allianz Stadium on Friday 19 May, while the Raiders host the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles at GIO Stadium on Sunday 21 May.

Newcastle Knights v St George Illawarra Dragons

Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles v Newtown Jets

Sea Eagles’ Late Revival Leads To Captivating Draw

Ella Mullins

Game summary

The Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles hosted the Newtown Jets at 4 Pines Park this afternoon during Round 11 of The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup. The Jets were impressive early, before a spectacular comeback from the Sea Eagles resulted in a captivating 22-all draw. 

The game got off to an explosive start, with the Jets setting a fiery tone early by covering a remarkable amount of ground in the opening set. This pushed the Sea Eagles defence to breaking point and a left edge edge raid resulted in Jets centre Samuel Stonestreet securing the first try of the game after just 90 seconds of play.

It was only minutes later that the Jets were scoring again, this time courtesy of left winger Josh Mansour, who pounced on a grubber kick by halfback Niwhai Puru to score. After missing the previous attempt, Puru then successfully converted, giving his side a 10-nil lead.

It seemed the Jets’ momentum was unstoppable, as they crossed again only moments later. On the end of another left edge attacking play, Jets’ centre Stonestreet kicked inside the find Puru, who crossed beside the posts to score his side’s third of the day. He proceeded to convert his own try, giving the Jets’ a 16-nil advantage after just 10 minutes of play.

Following this relentless first fifteen minutes, the Sea Eagles finally established some field position. Taking advantage of a penalty, Sea Eagles second rower Samuela Fainu offloaded to centre Fletcher Myers, who was able to push through the Jets’ defence and score his side’s first try of the game.

With twelve minutes left in the first half, bench forward Brad Fearnley responded by barging under the posts to earn the Jets their fourth try of the game. Puru converted once again.

Staring down a 22 – 6 deficit, the Sea Eagles were desperate for more points before halftime. It was winger Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega who would provide the breakthrough. With four minutes left in the half, he received an offload on the left edge before using an acrobatic manoeuvre to dive over the tryline. The conversion from Jamie Humphreys was unsuccessful and the Jets lead 22-10 as they made their way to the sheds.

It was tit for tat for first twenty minutes of the second half, with gruelling defence and sharp attacking plays from both sides. Sea Eagle’s hooker Nathaniel Roache eventually took matters into his own hands, darting out from dummy half to score his first try of the afternoon in the 49th minute. Humphreys successfully converted and the Sea Eagles were suddenly within a converted try of the Jets.

With one minute of game time left, the Sea Eagles completed their tremendous comeback to draw level with their opponents. It was prop Ben Condon who scored after receiving a neat inside ball from his captain Gordon Chan Kum Tong. Humphrey converted to tie up the scores 22-all.

In the final moments, the Sea Eagles attacked the Jets’ right edge from midfield and received a penalty after Samuela Fainu was held back in the play. Positioned on the left touchline of the Jets’ 30-metre line, the Sea Eagles opted to take an ambitious penalty goal for the win. However, heartbreak ensued, as Fletcher Myers admirable attempt at conversion ricocheted off the post, leaving the scores level at 22-all as the match concluded.

Talking Points

Wearing number five but playing left centre, Samuel Stonestreet played a critical role in the Jets early success. Scoring a try, before setting another up moments later, Stonestreet undeniably flourished at 4 Pines Park and was a handful all game.

The game from Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega was nothing short of impressive, securing the Sea Eagles a crucial try with a great act of determination down the left hand wing. Tuaimalo Vaega’s grit was pivotal for the Sea Eagles in their attempt to redeem themselves after some early errors; his efforts set the tone for the Sea Eagle’s late surge.

Key moments

The Jets established themselves early with three back-to-back tries in the opening ten minutes, setting the stage for a match where the Sea Eagles would be behind until the very last minutes.

What’s next?

The Newtown Jets return to Henson Park next Saturday, aiming for their third consecutive win in a match against the Newcastle Knights. Meanwhile, the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles travel to Canberra to take on a fifth-placed Raiders side.