Recap | The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup Round 15

Rabbitohs victorious in attacking masterclass

Anthony Eltarraf

Game summary

The South Sydney Rabbitohs came out victorious against the St George Illawarra Dragons in a highly entertaining 30-22 bout at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Rabbitohs dominated across the pitch to start the game, scoring three consecutive tries early. Peter Mamouzelos earned himself a double within the opening 10 minutes, with a show-and-go from dummy half to score next to the posts before supporting his winger Tyrone Munro down the left edge to give his side an early 12-0 lead.

Josiah Karapani then made it 16 unanswered points, reaching out to score from dummy half following a lovely set play down the right side which saw the Dragons’ line broken yet again.

Momentum quickly swung the other way however, with Billy Burns scoring two tries in five minutes to bring his side within eight points of the visitors. A first came through a hole run off a short ball from halfback Zach Herring, before Burns showcased his power by forcing his way to the line to plant the ball down in the left corner.

The Rabbitohs took control of the remainder of the second half, scoring through Tom Carr, who finished brilliantly in the right corner following a lovely pass from Taane Milne, and finishing the half with a try to the in-form Ethan O’Neill, who burst through a gaping hole off the scrum. The visitors took a 26-10 lead into half time.

The Dragons came out firing in the second half looking for a comeback, with Zach Herring slicing through the Bunnies’ defence with a show-and-go of his own to reduce the lead to ten points.

However, it only took eight minutes for the Dragons to concede yet again, when a well-worked set play saw debutant Tyrone Munro go over for his first try in The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup. St George Illawarra were able to score another before the end of the game through Sione Finau, but it proved nothing more than a consolation, with the hosts going down 30 points to 22 to South Sydney.

Talking points

Rabbitohs hooker Peter Mamouzelos continues to star for his side as he eyes his first NRL game of the year, with Damien Cook potentially rejoining the NSW Origin side for Game II.

The visitors were dominant all over the park, scoring down the middle and on both flanks in an impressive attacking display.

The Dragons showed promising signs, piling the pressure on the Rabbitohs, yet struggling to score points in key moments.

Key moment

Ethan O’Neill’s try in the 31st minute proved crucial as it took his side into half time with a healthy lead. The second rower scored his sixth try of the season, running a perfect hole off of a scrum and giving his side a sixteen-point lead going into the sheds.

What’s next?

The Dragons travel to Lidcombe as they look to bounce back against the Western Suburbs Magpies, while the Rabbitohs host the 2nd placed Bears at Coogee Oval.

Canberra Raiders v Warriors

Stellar second half performance sees the Warriors victorious

Tahlie Gavin

Game summary

The New Zealand Warriors have defeated the Canberra Raiders 34-16 at Raiders Belconnen, gaining their first win since Round 9.

A close first half saw the Warriors lead by one converted try heading into the sheds. But a dominant second half performance by the New Zealand side saw them leave the Australian Capital with a convincing 34-16 victory.

The first points of the afternoon came from Raiders young gun fullback Chevy Stewart. A late offload from prop Peter Hola saw Stewart stepping away from defenders to finally slip through the defensive line to score. A successful conversion by halfback Brad Schneider saw the Raiders take an early 6-0 lead.

It didn’t take long for the Warriors to strike back, as their attack shifted left and found an overlap through their winger Sanele Aukusitino. Ronald Volkman successfully converted to level the scores.

With less than 10 minutes remaining in the first half the Warriors took the lead through second rower Nicholas Halalilo, who scored under the post off of the back of a penalty.

Halfback Ronald Volkman made the conversion to give the Warriors a 12-6 lead heading into half time.

Four minutes into the second half, Matt Frawley found his way through a gap in the Warriors defence to score a 4-pointer following a six-again call. Schneider missed the subsequent conversion, so the Warriors remained ahead by two points.

It was then that the New Zealand club found a new gear, starting in the 52nd minute, with Selumiela Halasima running past tired Raider’s defenders after repeated sets to score.

Shortly after, Warriors’ centre Viliami Valiea scored two tries in quick succession. Both tries involved Valiea’s powerful running against the Raiders left edge, with his double taking the Warriors to a comfortable 28-10 lead.

The Raiders would mount a short-lived comeback. With just under 14 minutes remaining in the game, Chevy Stewart made a quick pass out to winger Elijah Anderson who stepped his way through the right edge defence to dive over the line. Schneider converted to leave the Raiders trailing 16-28.

However, the Warriors’ finished off their excellent second half with a try to Freddy Lussick, who received an offload from his captain Kalani Going to score. Another successful conversion from Volkman saw the Warriors take out a 34-16 victory.

Talking points

Raiders prop Peter Hola made some great line breaks, showing off his speed and producing solid run metres.

The Warriors teamwork and ball movement in attack led to their dominance in the second half.

Key moment

Viliami Valiea’s double midway through the second half gave the Warriors the upper hand. The tries were just minutes apart and of similar fashion, involving an offload to Valiea who then tore through the Raiders right edge defence.

What’s next?

The Warriors play the Newtown Jets at Henson Park on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Canberra Raiders get a break, as they have a bye round after this 4th straight loss.

Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles v Western Suburbs Magpies

Sea Eagles and Magpies all square after 80 minutes

Ella Mullins

Game summary

Sunday’s clash between Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles and Western Suburbs Magpies end in a 16-all draw place at HE Laybutt Field, in Round 15 of The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup.

The Sea Eagles were the first to score when Jake Toby offloaded to Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega on the left, allowing fullback Clayton Faulalo to duck out of dummy-half for the try. He converted his own try to lead 6-0.

The Sea Eagles were in for their second when back-rower Zac Fulton darted into open space and scored under the posts. The conversion by Faulauo was successful.

It wasn’t long before a ruthless Vaega secured his first try for the evening, after an offload from halfback Jake Arthur landed in his grasp. The Sea Eagles led 16-0.

Magpies winger Liam Scolari, in an attempt get the visitors on the scoreboard, pounced on a lost ball and lit up the left side-line with his pace. Five-eighth Zane Camroux failed to convert, which left the Magpies trailing by 12 points.

The Magpies resurgence continued as they weaved their way through the Sea Eagles’ backline, then Triston Reilly took matters into their own hands with a try in the 36^th minute. The score remained 16-8 at halftime.

It was a tit-for-tat second half with both sides struggling to gain ascendancy.

After a relentless 30 minutes, opportunity came knocking for the Magpies’ Tallyn Da Silva, who made a dash for the try-line through an unsuspecting Sea Eagles defence. Will Smith converted from in front, bringing the score-line to 16-14.

The Magpies later drew a penalty after an incorrect strip by the Sea Eagles. They opted for the attempt at two points and Will Smith slotted the penalty goal. The final minutes expired as the scoreboard remained 16-all.

Talking points

Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega had a strong performance for the Sea Eagles. His involvements early in the contest were a stepping-stone for the Sea Eagles’ first-half success.

Vaega also towered over multiple defenders throughout the game, leaving his mark on the contest despite the drawn result.

Key moment

The start of the Magpies’ resurgence was a pivotal moment in the game. Their fightback was successful when Will Smith levelled the scores with his penalty goal, ensuring both team came away with a competition point.

What’s next?

The Sea Eagles face the Parramatta Eels at CommBank Stadium on Saturday, while the Magpies take on 11^th-placed St George Illawarra Dragons on Sunday at Lidcombe Oval.

North Sydney Bears v Newtown Jets

Jets hand Bears defeat with second-half fightback

Pranav Harish

Game summary

The Newtown Jets overcame a sloppy second-half start to beat the North Sydney Bears 36-20 in Round 15 of the Knock-On Effect NSW Cup.

The Jets got on the scoreboard early through Connor Tracey, scoring barely three minutes into the game as Newtown capitalised on an attacking set inside the Bears’ red zone.

The Bears hit back soon after when William Fakatoumafi scored down the touchline to draw level at 4-4.

Fakatoumafi had an easier assignment for his second try after the Bears retrieved a short drop-out attempt from the Jets. Ben Stevanovic nailed the conversion to give North Sydney a 10-4 lead.

Charbel Tasipale scored Newtown’s second try off a short-side play, with Mawene Hiroti making a break down the right edge and opening up space for Tasipale to stroll over.

The Jets grabbed the lead when Josh Mansour scored, barging his way through the Bears’ defence from 10 metres out to give the Jets a 12-10 lead.

Newtown began to pile on more tries when Braydon Trindall scored under the posts. Off the back of some second-phase play, the Jets scored two unanswered tries within minutes as the visitors started to flex their muscle.

The Bears did well to sustain pressure from the Jets’ attack, but Newtown went into halftime with an 18-10 lead.

The Bears got themselves back into the contest when Fakatoumafi scored his hat-trick try which reduced the deficit to 18-14.

The Bears scored again when Alfred Smalley charged his way over, giving the home side a two-point lead after Stevanovic slotted the conversion.

Newtown wouldn’t go away as Tracey scored his second, the Jets opening up space on the right edge for the try.

Mansour bagged his second try several sets later as Newtown established a crucial 30-20 lead.

The Jets put the result to bed when Mansour notched up a hat-trick of his own, scoring on the stroke of full-time.

Talking points

The wingers from both sides ran strongly, particularly from kick returns.

Tuipulotu Katoa and Mansour came up with several kick defusals for their respective teams, and both did well getting sets off to strong starts with their ball carries.

Key moment

Minutes out from halftime the Bears were given an attacking set close to the Jets’ line, but a forward pass meant they were unable to capitalise.

Fakatoumafi was a good chance of scoring, and the Bears may have reduced the eight-point deficit going into the break.

What’s next?

The Bears will take on the South Sydney Rabbitohs in Coogee on Sunday while the Jets will be back home on Saturday at Henson Park against the Warriors.

Sydney Roosters v Penrith Panthers

Panthers extend winning streak after hard-fought contest

Stewart Moses

Game summary

The Penrith Panthers continued their mid-season revival with a heart-stopping 24-22 win over a fast-finishing Sydney Roosters outfit at Wentworth Park.

The win moves the Panthers within a point of competition leaders the Newtown Jets, while the Roosters remain in 12^thposition.

The Panthers got off to a dream start after just three minutes, converting early territory into points when Eddie Blacker plunged over from close range. With the easy conversion from half Kurt Falls, the visitors led 6-0.

To compound matters for the home side was the loss of hooker Thomas Deakin just minutes later, following a heavy collision with Blacker.

The Roosters began mounting some pressure inside the Panthers’ 20 when a Hugo Savala kick rebounded off opposite number Jack Cole, allowing the Penrith five-eighth to regather and sprint 80 metres to score. The visitors led 12-0 after 18 minutes.

The home side opened their account through Riley Meyn after the back-rower chased through a Joseph Taipari kick, with Jaxson Paulo's conversion successful as the Roosters trailed by six after 24 minutes.

In the 25^th minute a wayward pass from the Roosters bounced into the hands of Panthers winger Jesse McLean, who streaked nearly 80 metres to score in the northwest corner and give the visitors a handy 10-point advantage.

Some equally loose play from Penrith inside their own half, culminated with a show and go from Alan Holten close to the line, resulting in a try for the Roosters’ interchange hooker. With Paulo’s conversion the home side trailed by four going into the main break.

From the opening set of the second half Penrith’s Cole latched onto an inside ball to break the line, but despite an ankle tap from Paulo, was still able to offload to Kurt Falls. He found Iongi, who continued the shift right for centre Sam Lane to score in the corner.

Another Penrith error brought the Roosters back into the game when some quick hands enabled centre Tyrell Neiufi to score out wide. Paulo's successful conversion had the home side trailing again by four with 22 minutes remaining.

A Kurt Falls penalty goal in the 63^rd minute, after Rooster Coby Thomas was put on report, gave the Panthers some breathing space at 24-18.

Meyn The Roosters hit back in the 70^th minute following a last-tackle penalty, when Meyn crossed after some good leadup work from his inside men, Holten and Taipari. But Paulo missed the conversion attempt to leave the Roosters trailing by two.

Talking points

The Roosters lost hooker Thomas Deakin early in the game following a heavy collision with Panthers prop Eddie Blacker.

The home side also have a nervous wait with the Match Review Committee after Tayson Fakaosi (49^th minute) and Coby Thomas (63^rd minute) were both placed on report.

The 24-22 win is Penrith’s fifth in succession as they now look to next week’s top-four clash with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.

Key moment

The Panthers caught their opposition off guard when opted to throw the ball inside their own half in the opening set of the second half. That put Jack Cole into clear space before he regained footing to find Falls in support, combining with fullback Isaiah Iongi to put centre Sam Lane over in the corner.

Falls’ conversion from near the touchline proved to be the difference in Penrith’s tight 24-22 win over the Roosters.

What's next?

Next Saturday the Roosters travel north to take on the Newcastle Knights, while the Panthers travel to Belmore to take on the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v Parramatta Eels

Flanagan and the Bulldogs back on top with 64-point blitz

Mitchell Roese

Game summary

The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs ran in 12 tries in their 64-12 win over Parramatta Eels Monday at Accor Stadium, completing Round 15 of The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup.

Man of the Match Kyle Flanagan produced 32-points and led his side through the middle, with the returning Braidon Burns collecting a hat-trick on the right edge.

It was the perfect start for the Bulldogs, scoring three tries in the first three sets of the match. Burns scored the opening try within 70 seconds.

A penalty in the following set marched the Bulldogs back downfield, before Kyle Flanagan dived over untouched to score. Three tackles later, a show and go from Fa’amanu Brown gave Joseph O’Neill his first NSW Cup try in just his second appearance.

The Bulldogs forward pack continued their dominacne through the middle, then a deft kick from Flanagan gave Burns his second. The home side now led 22-0 inside the opening fifteen minutes.

Parramatta’s Zac Cini showed why he has the most tackle busts in the league at 70, adding a few more to the tally to put his side on the board under the posts.

The Bulldogs finished the half well, with strong hole-running from Reece Hoffman and Jackson Topine providing inside supporter Flanagan with a first-half hat-trick.

A simple shift to the right soon after, allowed Jeral Skelton to use his footwork and leave the defence behind him to score in the corner. Flanagan nailed a sideline kick to cap off an incredible 40-6 first half.

Parramatta was first to score in the second half when second-rower Jack Murchie found a huge hole in the Dogs’ defence to bust over.

Blake Wilson’s gallop past halfway got the Bulldogs back on the front foot to set up another four-pointer, with Kitione Kautoga muscling over from dummy-half. Flanagan had his fourth try a minute later, again in support to score under the posts off Franklin Pele’s barnstorming run.

The Bulldogs finishing the game how they started, scoring three tries in three sets. Kautoga bagged a double, while Burns flicked a pass for winger Eli Clark to score, before completing a hat-trick in his first game back.

Talking points

Kyle Flanagan yet again impressed in his new role at starting hooker. He scored four tries, had a try assist and a handful of try involvements, tallying 32 points including 24 in the first half.

Bulldogs fullback Blake Wilson starred at the back, running for 267 metres from 12 carries.

The Bulldogs’ 64 points is the most in a game by any NSW Cup team this year, beating the Warriors’ 54-point win over Newcastle Knights in round six.

Key moment

Opening the match by completing four from four sets, producing 235 metres and three tries, the start by Bulldogs set the tone for the match.

What’s next?

Both teams return home on Saturday afternoon, with the Bulldogs at Belmore Sports Ground against Penrith Panthers and the Eels taking on Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles at CommBank Stadium.