Live coverage | The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup - Round 22

Parramatta Eels v South Sydney Rabbitohs

Eels too slippery for struggling Rabbitohs in Sydney’s big wet

Stewart Moses

Game summary

Despite the heavy conditions at a rain-soaked Kellyville Park, the Eels’ march towards a top-three finish in The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup continued at the expense of a weakened South Sydney side, following their 52-4 win this afternoon.

The win was set up by an imposing first-half performance from the Eels who capitalised ruthlessly on Souths’ errors and ill-discipline to lead 34-0 despite the appalling conditions.

An early shift inside Souths’ 20-metre zone proved fruitful for the home side early on when winger Haze Dunster crossed over in the northeast corner in the third minute, converted by fullback Te Hurinui Twidle from the touchline.

Off the back of two penalties and a six-again call inside Souths’ 20, Dunster soon had a double for the afternoon when he finished off another slick back-line movement to slide over again in the northeast corner in the 16th minute. With Twidle again converting from the sideline, the Eels doubled their lead to 12.

Parramatta’s early territorial and possession dominance continued to produce points when five-eighth Lorenzo Talataina showed considerable pace from the scrum win inside Souths’ 20 to slice through the gap and score to the right of the uprights to give the home side a 18-0 lead after 21 minutes of play.

Parramatta’s forwards were dominating up the middle and off the back of another strong set, back-rower Kelma Tuilagi found space out on the right edge, kicked ahead and grounded the ball to score in the northeast corner to push the lead out to 22 after 26 minutes.

The point-scoring spree in the first half continued when a quick play-the-ball short of the Souths try-line enabled hooker Joey Lussick to dive over from dummy-half to give the Eels an imposing 28-0 lead in just 34 minutes of play.

Yet another Souths error inside their own 20 proved to be telling when the Eels constructed another try from a scrum win when Talataina floated a cut-out pass for an unmarked Bailey Simonsson to score in the northwest corner, with Twidle again converting from the touchline to send the home side into the sheds leading 34-0 at the main break.

It didn’t take the hosts long to open their account in the second half either when Eels half Ronald Volkman slapped the ball out left for Tago to catch and pass to Simonsson to acrobatically cross over for arguably one of the tries of the afternoon to score his second to put Parramatta further in front 38-0 after just 45 mins.

It went from bad to worse for the Rabbitohs when the Eels scored from the next set, courtesy of a long-range break from Tuilagi who found centre Richard Penisini in support to score out wide to push the margin out to 42 points in the 48th minute.

Simonsson soon had his hat-trick finishing off another slick Eels back-line movement with Talataina again instrumental in the lead-up to push Parramatta towards 50, leading 46-0 after 54 minutes.

It took just another seven minutes for the Eels to bring up 50 unanswered points when Simonsson this time turned provider, making a break down the eastern touchline before lobbing the ball back inside for Twidle to join the try-scoring list, converted this time by Volkman.

The Rabbitohs finally opened their account in the 74th minute when Ruatapu Laurence Ngatikura reached out from dummy-half to score out wide with half Matthew Humphries unable to convert, to provide the final score-line 52-4 in favour of the Eels.

Talking points

- Parramatta came into this clash in third position up against a South Sydney side that was in 13th.

- Souths were looking to atone for a heavy Round Eight defeat at the hands of the Eels 50-20.

- Despite losing the likes of Brendan Hands, Luca Moretti and Matthew Hunter, the Eels had plenty of handy replacements headed by Bailey Simonsson, Kelma Tuilagi and Jordan Samrani.

- Tyrone Munro and Peter Mamouzelos were due to play for the Rabbitohs but were late withdrawals.

Key moment

Despite the wet conditions, the Eels were lethal in attack especially inside the Rabbitohs’ 20. Perhaps the best of their 10 tries was the opening try of the second half when Volkman slapped a high pass left for Jake Tago, who caught and passed quickly for Simonsson to acrobatically score his second of three tries in the southeast corner in the 45th minute.

What’s next?

The Eels will be looking to consolidate their top-three position when they host the North Sydney Bears next Sunday at CommBank Stadium. The Rabbitohs will be desperate for a victory when they too play next Sunday against the Sydney Roosters at Wentworth Park.

St George Illawarra Dragons v Warriors

Dragons and Warriors fight for draw in pelting rain

Bailey Whitton

Game summary

The St George Illawarra Dragons instantly took the lead against the Warriors in the wet, scoring in the first five minutes through Jonah Glover, and extending it to 8-0 just 10 minutes later with winger Cyrus Stanley-Traill getting one as well. 

But that lead wouldn’t last long. The Warriors approached the Dragons’ try-line 20 minutes into the game, with the torrential weather bringing about a series of Dragons errors giving the Warriors plenty of shots at getting even.

The Dragons’ defence challenged them but delayed passes allowed the Warriors to get around the right edge and score through Edward Kosi.

The Dragons’ defended the set after points well but in bringing it out of their end the Warriors forced the ball out with a big hit, opening them up to take the lead. The Warriors dropped the ball shortly after the scrum and the Dragons looked to complete a set and regain some of their earlier momentum.

The Dragons took a classy tap off a bomb with the boot but the ball dead, giving the Warriors a seven-tackle set. Another error gave the Warriors a scrum and they quickly converted it into a second try for a two-point lead thanks to a conversion by Jett Cleary.

The Dragons finally got down to the Warriors’ end after forcing an error, getting a scrum at the 10-metre line.

Dragons wasted no time taking advantage of a Warriors goal-line drop-out, swooping left and getting a try for Jesse Williams to take the lead back, 14-10.

The Warriors later made a long break down the left side, shifting the field position to the Dragons’ try-line. The Dragons took possession back, but it slipped out with the Warriors quickly taking advantage, scoring down the wing and tying the game at 14-all.

The Warriors received a late penalty and chose to take a shot at goal from 30 metres out, but it narrowly missed to the right.

With time ticking out for the Warriors Cleary had a field-goal attempt, but the Dragons rushed to keep them out.

The Warriors kept desperately trying for points to claim the win, but the Dragons held on again and again to force a draw.

Talking points

- The rainy conditions caused a high error rate from both sides, combined with strong wind pushing the ball around wildly and making the game very chaotic.

- The Dragons’ defence held on desperately in the final moments. The Warriors were on the try-line and the Dragons couldn’t hold the ball, but they refused to let that cost them in an impressive effort.

Key moment

In the dying minutes Jett Cleary lined up for a field goal sitting deep, but Cody Ramsey sprinted through, outpacing everyone, and stopping the attempt to keep the match even.

What’s next?

The Warriors will aim to bounce back from the draw and try to officially lock up the minor premiership in their matchup next week with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at Accor Stadium. The Dragons will host the Canberra Raiders at Collegians in Round 23, looking to hit good form going into the final stretch of the season.

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles v Sydney Roosters

Rodwell steers Roosters home in wet weather

Anthony Eltarraf

Game summary

The Sydney Roosters have toughed it out in testing conditions to record a gritty 20-12 win over the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles at 4 Pines Park.

It was the home side who struck first, with Joey Walsh threading a well-weighted grubber that popped up perfectly for Michael Chee Kam, who finished under the posts. Brandon Wakeham slotted the simple conversion to give Manly an early 6-0 lead.

Despite the slippery surface and swirling wind making clean footy difficult, the Roosters muscled their way back into the contest. A determined last-tackle effort saw powerhouse forward Xavier Va’a crash over to get the visitors on the board, with Toby Rodwell’s conversion levelling the scores 6-6 heading into the break.

After a tight and scrappy first half, the Roosters came out firing in the second. Blake Steep gave his side the lead for the first time, scooping up a deflected grubber from Rodwell that ricocheted off the upright to score.

From there, Rodwell took full control of the contest. A pinpoint 40/20 swung momentum firmly in the Roosters’ favour, and he made the most of the opportunity just moments later - selling a dummy and weaving through the Manly defence to cross for a brilliant solo try. His conversion pushed the lead to 18-6.

A penalty goal extended the margin to eight, but Manly weren’t done yet. Navren Willett came up with a huge play, intercepting a pass and racing 75 metres to score beneath the posts, breathing life back into the contest.

But the Roosters held firm in the closing stages, managing the game well to seal a hard-fought victory in wet and windy conditions that tested both teams from start to finish.

Talking points

- Roosters five-eighth Toby Rodwell had a hand in everything during the second half, laying on one try, producing a match-turning 40/20, and scoring a brilliant solo effort.

- Fetalaiga Pauga was outstanding this evening, constantly taking the pressure off his forwards with tough carries, helping his side get on the front foot in slippery conditions.

- The heavy rain and strong winds made for a scrappy contest, with both sides showing plenty of resilience in the face of difficult playing conditions.

Key moment

Toby Rodwell’s 51st-minute try was the turning point. After nailing a 40/20 to flip field position, the crafty playmaker took matters into his own hands, slicing through the Sea Eagles' defence to score. It gave the Roosters a 12-point lead and the upper hand in a tough contest.

What’s next?

Manly remain at home as they welcome the Newcastle Knights next week, while the Roosters look to string back-to-back wins together when they face off against long-time rivals, the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

North Sydney Bears v Newcastle Knights

Bears Get The Job Done in Wet and Wild Clash

Mason Cernoy

Match Summary

It was pouring down at North Sydney Oval on Sunday afternoon but that didn’t stop the Bears and the Knights from throwing the ball around in an exciting contest.

Following an early error from Ethyn Martin, the Knights capitalised to be first on the board. Tyson Gamble squared the defence well and sent Francis Manuleleua crashing over with a short ball.

Newcastle didn’t get to build off the momentum of their early breakthrough. Following an error from the kick-off, the Bears received a set starting deep into Knights territory which quickly turned into points for the Bears when Martin put on a shimmy and slid a ball out to Marion Seve to hit a gap and cross the line.

At 4 all, both sides were determined to not let the weather stop them from playing attacking football, throwing plenty at each other. It wasn’t until the Bears had an extended stay in the Knights 20, following back to back penalties that they struck again. Jesse Marschke put on two lethal right foot steps to cut inside and score next to the posts, giving Kieran Hayman the chance to kick the first goal of the day.

The arm wrestle continued over the next ten minutes until the Knights hit back. Connor Votano threw a brilliant pass out to Wilson De Courcey off the back of some good shape to bring the standings back to 10-8.

It had been an extremely tight contest for the first half an hour, but North Sydney really broke away from Newcastle late in the half. Matt Stimson crashed over off a short ball, before sending Seve over for his second on the stroke of half-time. He was right on queue to support Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown after he won a kick contest and needed to find a pass.

Running out for the second half down 20-8, the Knights were under a bit of pressure and needed to be next to find the line. They came very close when Mitch Henderson put a grubber through for Brodie Jones, but Marshcke ran him off the ball. While this meantno try for Newcastle, it also meant no Marschke for North Sydney for the next ten minutes.

The stage was set for Newcastle to close the gap, but the Bears defence were good enough to hold them out. After surviving an attacking raid, the Bears managed to go 80 metres off their next set to extend their lead. Coby Thomas took a powerful carry and found an offload to Stimson, who once again found room to move, and link up with Seve for him to cross for his third.

When North Sydney not only survived the sin bin period but won it 6-0, victory was starting to look less likely for the Knights. Shortly after Marshcke returned to the field however, Mitch Henderson came up with a big play when he cut through the line and made sure to suck in the Bears defence as much as possible before passing out to Logan Aoake in the corner.

In the final 20 minutes, whilst the Knights forced a few dropouts and were camped near the Bears goal line for a while, they didn’t seem to have the energy or execution to close the margin. It wasn’t until a short dropout from the Knights came up trumps when Sosaia Latu came down with it, found Cant with an offload, and got it to Aoake in an effort that saw them reach the halfway mark. On the following play, they let it sing out to the right, and a long pass from Gamble found a full flight Manuleleua who raced 50 metres to score.

It was four tries to five with a few to play, but the Bears were able to put a late nail in the coffin through Aitasi James, who borrowed over at the end of the match.

Full-time: 32-18

Talking Points:

• The Bears’ right edge was humming this afternoon, being responsible
  for 5 of their 6 tries. Marion Seve and Matt Stimson in particular combined well on plenty of occasions that lead to points.
• Francis Manuleleua was a shining light for the Knights today. On top
  of scoring two strong tries, he brought plenty of physicality to the contest on both sides of the ball.
• Kieran Hayman’s goal kicking was a point of difference in extremely tough conditions. His 4/6 goals created enough of a buffer to keep thepressure off of his side even when the Knights were coming home with a wet sail

Key Moment:

Whilst it came all the way back in the 47th minute, Marion Seve’s third try was a crucial piece in North Sydney’s victory today. With Jesse Marschke in the sin bin at the time, Newcastle were well poised to close the margin and get back into the contest, but when that brilliant offload from Coby Thomas was converted into points off the back of Stimson and Seve’s efforts, it really dampened Newcastle’s spirits, as they went on to win this ten minute period 6-0.

What’s Next?

Both sides will be hitting the road next week, with Newcastle off to 4 Pines Park to take on the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, and the Bears heading to Commbank Stadium to face the Parramatta Eels.

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v Newtown Jets

Spoils shared in hard fought contest at Shark Park

Anthony Eltarraf

Game Summary

It was a seesawing contest at Shark Park on Saturday afternoon, as the Newtown Jets and Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs couldn’t be separated after 80 minutes, finishing locked at 18-all in a wet and hard-fought battle.

The Jets were first to strike inside the opening ten minutes, taking advantage of the slippery conditions through a pinpoint Jayden Berrell grubber that held up perfectly in-goal for Michael Gabrael to dive on and open the scoring.

With points hard to come by early, Bulldogs halfback Toby Sexton stood up with a perfectly executed 40/20 to give his side momentum. Moments later, Logan Spinks broke through the line to score under the posts, with Sexton converting to give the Dogs a 6-4 lead.

The Bulldogs backed it up soon after with a mountain of pressure paying off. Sexton was again in the thick of it, digging into the line and linking with Kurtis Morrin on the inside, who muscled his way over to extend the lead to 12-4.

But just before the break, the Jets found a response through Mawene Hiroti, who proved too strong close to the line—spinning and crashing through multiple defenders to close the gap to just two at the break.

Newtown came out firing in the second half, with Hiroti grabbing his second try in similar fashion to his first, powering through contact to score. Niwhai Puru slotted the conversion to put the Jets back in front, 16-12, before a penalty goal extended the lead to a converted try.

But an error coming out of their own end opened the door for the Bulldogs, and they didn’t waste it. Straight off the scrum, Cassius Tia exploded through the middle, breaking tackles and carrying defenders with him in a barnstorming 20-metre effort to score. Following the conversion the scores were level.

Despite several attempts from both sides to break the deadlock—including a string of field goal efforts late in the game—neither team could find the winner, and the points were ultimately shared.

Talking Points

- Mawene Hiroti was a handful all afternoon, powering through defenders twice to grab a double and constantly bending the line.

- Toby Sexton was at his creative best for the Bulldogs, steering his team around the park and producing a sharp kicking game in tough conditions.

- Despite the rain and muddy surface, both teams backed themselves with the ball in hand, delivering an entertaining contest for fans.

Key Moment

With the Jets leading 18-12 and enjoying a strong run of possession, a costly error gifted the Bulldogs field position. From the resulting scrum, Cassius Tia produced a stunning solo effort—barging, bumping, and bulldozing his way through to the try line to tie things up and swing momentum back to the home side.

What’s Next?

The Bulldogs face a big challenge next week when they meet the table-topping New Zealand Warriors at Accor Stadium. Meanwhile, the Jets return home to take on the Penrith Panthers in what promises to be another tough contest.