Game Summary
South Sydney Rabbitohs snapped an 11-game losing streak with a gritty 20-12 victory over the Western Suburbs Magpies in Round Three of The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup at Polytec Stadium in Gosford.
Both teams produced a disciplined opening half, with only four points scored in the first 25 minutes.
The deadlock was broken by Jay Kirk after a slick movement involving Edward Kosi, Logan Dickson, Matthew Humphries and Dan Keir sent Kirk over in the corner in the 15th minute. Humphries missed the conversion to leave the score at 4-0.
Rabbitohs halfback Humphries made amends for the missed conversion when he slotted a penalty goal in the 39th minute to give South Sydney a 6-0 lead at half-time.
South Sydney stretched their lead in the second half when veteran fullback Matt Dufty produced a sublime final pass to put winger Oliver Lawry over. Humphries converted to make it 12-0 with 27 minutes remaining, and the Rabbitohs looked firmly in control.
John Radel, a standout performer throughout, added a third try after taking a superb pass from Dufty to cross untouched, extending the lead to 18-0. Wests finally got on the board through a well-worked effort from fullback William Craig, who linked brilliantly with Javon Andrews before finishing in the corner. Andrews converted to reduce the margin to 12 points with just over 11 minutes left.
South Sydney improved the buffer back to 14 points when Humphries slotted his second penalty goal, and the game appeared over until substitute Jack Attard capped a breathtaking late move. A pinpoint cross-field kick from Tino Tavana was re-directed with a deft chip over the top to Attard, who strolled under the posts to score what was arguably the try of the match. Andrews kicked the conversion for Wests, but it was too little, too late.
The final score of 20-12 was a fair reflection of South Sydney's dominance for the majority of the contest. Tries to Kirk, Lawry, Radel and Attard, along with eight points from the boot of Matthew Humphries, saw the Rabbitohs claim the victory.
Talking Points
Matthew Dufty was outstanding at fullback. The veteran of 94 NRL games and two Challenge Cup Finals for Warrington, was strong under the high ball and provided the decisive pass for Lawry's try.
John Radel was another standout, relentless in the ruck and rewarded with a well-deserved try in the second half. His physicality and work rate helped set the tone for South Sydney.
Forward Tim Johannssen proved his worth as a late inclusion, contributing to several key plays and impressing with his workload through the middle.
Key Moment
Oliver Lawry's try for South Sydney in the 51st minute proved pivotal. With the Rabbitohs leading 6-0 in trying conditions, the Magpies needed to be next to score, but fullback Matt Dufty held up a short ball to send Lawry over in the corner to hand his side a two-try lead - a buffer Western Suburbs were unable to recover from.
What's Next?
The Rabbitohs will enjoy a bye in Round Four, while the Magpies face a daunting trip to New Zealand to take on the Warriors.
