Recap | The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup - Round 10

Toelau stars as Panthers dominate Magpies

Anthony Eltarraf

Match summary

The Penrith Panthers bounced back from last week’s defeat with a dominant performance against the Western Suburbs Magpies, securing a 40-16 victory at Scully Park.

The Panthers started fast, capitalising on an early opportunity as Jesse McLean crossed in the corner off a brilliant long ball over the top from Trent Toelau. Toelau successfully converted to give his side a handy six-point lead within five minutes.

The game steadied from there, but the Panthers were able to double their lead just after the twenty-minute mark through Daine Laurie, who sliced through at pace on the right edge before planting the ball down.

As half-time approached, Harrison Hassett extended his side's lead, hitting a strong line off a perfectly timed short ball from Jack Cole to score between the posts. Toelau added the two points, sending Penrith into the break with an 18-0 lead.

The Magpies had a job to do in the second half and they came out firing – scoring within two minutes when Kurt Falls threw a pinpoint cut-out pass to Krystian Mapapalangi, who broke through the Panthers' line to cut the deficit to 12.

Penrith hit back immediately, with both halves combining brilliantly to slice through the Magpies' defence. Toelau sent Cole through, before the five-eighth found his halves partner back on the outside to race away and reclaim his side’s 18-point lead.

Toelau was having a day out, backing up his try with another clever floating pass over the top – this time finding Casey McLean, whose pace down the sideline proved too much for the opposition as he raced away to score.

The Magpies hit back against the run of play when a stray kick found Mapapalangi, who created something from nothing – chipping over the top, toeing it forward, and grounding it in the corner.

Momentum swung the Magpies’ way as they went back-to-back, with a rampaging Noah Johannssen crashing over to bring his side within 14.

Western Suburbs couldn’t maintain control, as Penrith’s David Fale burst through the line before offloading to Sione Fonua, who scored under the posts. Preston Riki then earned a well-deserved try, powering over off an inside ball from Jack Cole to seal his side’s dominant 40-16 win over the Western Suburbs Magpies.

Talking points

• Trent Toelau had an absolute blinder, playing a hand in almost every try for the Panthers and adding his name to the scoresheet as well.
• Penrith’s middles really laid the platform for their backs, dominating the Magpies’ defence and allowing their halves to control the game.
• While the Magpies have a lot to work on, they showed glimpses of attacking brilliance, especially through a brilliant solo effort from Krystian Mapapalangi.

Key moment

With the Magpies scoring back-to-back tries late in the game, bringing themselves back within 14 points, David Fale’s powerful effort proved a match-sealing play. The centre broke through the middle of the defensive line with a strong run before offloading to his winger Sione Fonua, who stepped back on his inside and scored underneath the posts to secure a victory for his side.

What’s next?

The Panthers bank another two competition points with a bye next week, while the Magpies will host the South Sydney Rabbitohs in what promises to be an entertaining clash at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.

Warriors v Canberra Raiders

Sizzling start delivers eighth win

Richard Becht

Match summary

Hooker-turned-middle forward Freddy Lussick and young back rower Kayliss Fatialofa snared career-first hat-tricks as the One New Zealand Warriors went on another scoring spree in Saturday’s Round 10 The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup clash at Collegians Sporting Complex in Wollongong.

In reinforcing their position at the top of the points table, they had a 46-30 win over Canberra and would have topped 50 for the second week running if their goal kicking had been up to their usual standards (nine tries scored but only five converted).

When they led 32-0 at halftime and improved it to 42-0 in the opening 10 minutes of the second half, an even bigger score-line than their 56-14 demolition of North Sydney was in store.

For the first 50 minutes they were sublime on attack and ruthless on defence but just when a half century was well within reach, the intensity dropped off as the Raiders scraped themselves off the deck and set about extracting something out of the contest.

They did more, much more, than that as they put together a run of 30 points in 21 minutes from five converted tries to pull to within 12 points at 30-42.

Fortunately for the Warriors the clock was in their favour with only four minutes left, putting an end to any notion of further damage being inflicted.

In fact, it was the Warriors with the final act, underlining what might have happened if they’d maintained the rage across the second half.

Fittingly, it was Fatialofa, oozing muscular intent with his ball carrying throughout, who brushed off defenders to complete his hat-trick.

In the opening minutes it was Lussick who defied expectations and career history with his assault on the try line.

Five minutes in Lussick had his first as Kalani Going spun in the tackle, off-loading to his unmarked teammate. Four minutes later he had doubled up, hitting Sam Healey’s dummy half pass near the line and charging over with defenders on him.

Coming off a hat-trick against North Sydney, centre Moala Graham-Taufa was next on the board when Raiders fullback Chevy Stewart couldn’t clean up a Tanah Boyd bomb and Lussick had his hat-trick after only 20 minutes supporting a Luke Hanson break to score between the posts.

Two more tries followed before halftime, the first via a slick shift to the left for Setu Tu to score and then Boyd rolled in a grubber for Fatialofa’s first try.

In the opening minutes of the second half the Warriors went wide to the left again for Hanson to put Tu in for two and in the 49th minute Fatialofa had his second try off a short ball from Boyd.

At 42-0 the Warriors were coasting but the Raiders didn’t go away as they gathered themselves for their late salvo.

Next up for the Warriors is a trip over the Tasman again to play the Roosters in Sydney next Sunday.

Newcastle Knights v North Sydney Bears

Magical Bears comeback steals two points in Tamworth

George Alakiki

Match summary

After the historic Perth Bears announcement earlier in the week, the North Sydney Bears have backed up with a thrilling, late 26-24 win over the Newcastle Knights in The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup during NSWRL Regional Magic Round in Tamworth.

Both sides failed to capitalise off early chances but it was the Knights who got on the scoreboard first with a big effort by five-eighth Tyson Gamble who barged his way over two defenders to find the line (6-0).

The Novocastrians did well to stretch the Bears’ defence from side to side and it paid off for their second try when it opened a hole in the middle for lock Thomas Cant to go in under the posts (12-0).

After three assists off the boot last week, Jackson Hastings was back at it as he found an unmarked Fletcher Hunt, and Connor Votano made it 18-0.

The Bears finally found some points through substitute hooker Jayden Yates for his first of the season in a deceptive dummy-half run on the line, to go into half-time down by two converted tries (18-6).

The Knights wasted no time early in the second as a powerful Mason Teague busted and turned through multiple tackles to score his first for the club (24-6).

But the rest of the half was all the Bears. Winger Siulagi Pio finished off a neat four pointer in the right hand corner, before a brilliant dummy-half run through the line again from Yates put Riley Meyn away to set up a close finish (24-16).

The Bears kept banging down the door for their third-consecutive try with a looping pass from Harradyn Wilson to centre Compton Fuatimau, bringing them to within four points (24-20).

With three minutes to go and needing to go 90 metres, Norths hit the lead in heroic fashion as Coby Thomas came up with a brilliant play to break the line and find his fullback for the match-winner, taking the game to 26-24.

Talking points

• The Knights sucked in the Bears’ defence for most of the first half and dominated field position in a near-flawless performance, but turned silent in the second half.
• The Bears boasted the second-most missed tackles in the competition before this round (264) and the fewest run metres (10,486), but a rallying performance rectified their early mistakes.
• Jayden Yates put the Bears on his back as he sparked their win with a solo-try effort and brilliant running game.

Key moment

The Knights had the chance to steal the game at the death through centre Riley Jones, but his flick pass to Fletcher Hunt couldn’t find the mark as the Bears’ defence scrambled.

What’s next?

The Knights return home to Newcastle in a big test against the well-placed Parramatta Eels while the Bears will look for their second win over St George Illawarra Dragons this season back at North Sydney Oval. 

Newtown Jets v St George Illawarra Dragons

Red V run riot over Jets in Tamworth

Anthony Eltarraf

Match summary

The St George Illawarra Dragons delivered another clinic in Tamworth, cruising to their third straight dominant victory with a 34-4 win over the Newtown Jets.

Building on their dominant performance against the Magpies, the Dragons carried that momentum into this match, starting fast and opening the scoring with a crash play that saw Hame Sele power over.

Nick Tsougranis helped double the Red V's lead, bursting through the Jets' middle before offloading to his winger Nathan Lawson, who scored under the posts.

The Jets' middle struggled to contain the Dragons' attack, as Michael Molo forced his way over with ease to again score beneath the posts. Three successful conversions from three attempts by Jonah Glover capped off a strong first half for the Dragons, who went into the break leading 18-0.

St George picked up right where they left off, scoring within three minutes of the restart through a sharp dummy half effort by Haele Finau. Glover's first missed conversion kept the score at 22-0.

It was all the Dragons as they crossed for their fifth try of the afternoon, with Nick Tsougranis bouncing off a tackle before slicing through the line and scoring between the posts.

The Jets finally got on the scoreboard an hour into the game, with Josh Cook powering over from dummy half to make it 28-4.

Despite the Jets' try, the Dragons remained in control, adding another try of their own through fullback Cody Ramsey, who streaked down the right edge after a strong run and offload from Cyrus Stanley-Traill.

A late sin bin for Nick Tsougranis following a professional foul left the Dragons a man down in the final minutes, but resilient defence saw the Red V hold firm to seal a convincing 34-4 victory over the Jets.

Talking points

• The Jets' middle was outplayed on both sides of the ball, struggling to generate any attacking rhythm and repeatedly failing to contain the Dragons' offence, particularly close to the line.
• The Dragons conceded just one try all afternoon, showcasing their defensive grit. Even when reduced to 12 men late in the game, their line held firm, committing to their structure and scrambling well.
• St George struck early in both halves, setting the tone and stifling any chance of a Jets resurgence.

Key moment

After a dominant first half, it was crucial for the Dragons to prevent the Jets from striking early and mounting a comeback. Haele Finau’s dummy-half try soon after the break proved vital in maintaining momentum and setting up the eventual win.

What's next? 

The Jets look to bounce back as they host the Raiders at Henson Park next week, while the Dragons seek out a fourth win on the trot, travelling to North Sydney to face the Bears.

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles v Sydney Roosters

Sea Eagles fall to Roosters in Round 10 clash

seaeagles.com.au

Match summary

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles have failed to capitalise on a 14-point lead, falling to a fourth-straight defeat in a 36-20 loss to the Sydney Roosters in Round 10 of The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup at Scully Park, Tamworth, this afternoon. 

The Sea Eagles shot out of the gates early with three tries in the first 25 minutes with victory in their sight. Unfortunately, their completion rate and a handful of missed tackles led to a Roosters comeback and a missed opportunity at two competition points.

A quick shift through the hands and good support play in the 13th minute saw Manly halfback Joey Walsh score the opening try on the left edge for an early 6-0 lead.

A mountain of momentum and an accidental offside by the Roosters invited Manly for their second in the 20th minute. Prop Matthew Lodge took advantage and barged through off a tap from 10 metres out to score for a 10-0 scoreline.

The Sea Eagles were flying en route to another try four minutes later. A good tackle-bust and cut-out pass from Walsh found winger Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega, who spun out of a tackle to score in the corner and extend his side’s lead to 14 points.

After being on the back foot for a majority of the first half, the Roosters broke through on the stroke of half-time to score through centre Kyron Fekitoa for a 14-6 scoreline at the break.

The Roosters carried their momentum into the second half and took a 30-14 lead thanks to five tries in a 22-minute period through Ethan King, Ben Johnson, Max McCathie and Dominic Young.

A smart offload from Manly forward Zane Dunford metres out from the try-line sent fullback Charlie Thompson over in the corner untouched to cut the deficit to 30-20 with seven minutes remaining.

The Roosters put the final dagger into the Sea Eagles on the stroke of full-time as Makahesi Makatoa barged through the defence to score under the posts for a final scoreline of 36-20.

Parramatta Eels v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

Tia turns it on as Bulldogs seal Magic Round thriller

Anthony Eltarraf

Match summary

The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs capped off NSWRL Regional Magic Round with a brilliant comeback, defeating the Parramatta Eels 41-28 in an entertaining clash in Tamworth.

The opening 25 minutes belonged entirely to the Eels, who looked sharp and confident with ball in hand, racing out to a 14-0 lead through some impressive attacking sequences.

The first breakthrough came in the 10th minute when Araz Nanva made a surging run down the left sideline, slicing through the defence before linking back inside to Zachary Hunter who finished the movement.

Parramatta continued to trouble the Bulldogs with their offloading game and second-phase play. In the 20th minute, Nanva was involved again – this time offloading cleverly to Jake Tago, who dived over in the corner to extend the lead, before Bryce Cartwright drew in defenders and produced a brilliant offload to send Hunter over for his second try. Dean Hawkins only managed to convert one try, leaving the scoreboard reading 14-0.

The Bulldogs needed to turn the contest on its head and did just that, scoring four tries in 10 minutes to finish the half. Cassius Tia led the comeback, showing great composure to score his first try of the afternoon – faking a kick, passing back on the inside to Drew Hutchison, and then receiving the ball again to score, before grabbing his double just four minutes later off the back of a damaging run by Jed Reardon.

The Eels kicked it out on the full from the ensuing restart, and Canterbury-Bankstown took full advantage. Hutchison took matters into his own hands in the 36th minute, powering over the line to give the Bulldogs the lead for the first time.

On the stroke of half-time, an attacking play down the right edge fell apart for Parramatta when the ball hit the turf. Jethro Rinakama scooped it up and sprinted down the sideline to score a stunning try. Blake Taaffe nailed all four conversions to cap off an incredible turnaround, sending the Bulldogs into the sheds with a 24-14 lead.

The Eels enjoyed plenty of possession to start the second half and made it count in the 48th minute, with Will Latu barging over to score. Parramatta equalised just minutes after when a scrappy kick ended up in the hands of Araz Nanva again, who offloaded to Jake Tago to score his second try and level the game at 24-all.

The Bulldogs hit back, reclaiming the lead through Jonathan Sua, who finished off a slick right-edge movement with an acrobatic dive in the corner. The Dogs followed it up with a near-identical play on the left, shifting the ball through several slick tip-ons to find Jethro Rinakama, who strolled over to give his side a 34-24 lead.

The action kept coming, with the Eels pulling themselves back within a converted try once again, as Jake Tago completed his hat-trick, diving over in the corner after a brilliant cutout pass from Hunter. An error in the following set from the Eels dashed their hopes of a comeback, and the Bulldogs made them pay with Tamworth local Logan Spinks forcing his way over, before Cassius Tia sealed a thrilling victory for the Bulldogs with a field goal, bringing the final score to 41-28.

Talking points

• After falling behind 14-0, the Bulldogs mounted an impressive comeback, scoring four tries in just 10 minutes to take the lead at half-time, and ultimately come away with the win.
• Cassius Tia had a game to remember, taking full control with the No.6 on his back, scoring two tries, kicking a field goal and playing a pivotal role in the Bulldogs’ spirited comeback.
• Araz Nanva consistently tormented the Bulldogs' right-edge defence, racking up three try assists with his speed, footwork, and vision.

Key moment

With the game swinging back and forth and the Bulldogs leading by just six, an Eels error directly after scoring gave the Bulldogs a crucial opportunity. They capitalised immediately, with Logan Spinks running against the grain from a Cassius Tia pass to power over the line, sealing the win for the Bulldogs.

What’s next?

The Eels head to Newcastle next week looking to bounce back from a disappointing loss, while the Bulldogs travel to 4 Pines Park for a clash with the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles.