The North Sydney Bears have claimed a commanding 34-20 victory over the South Sydney Rabbitohs in Round 15 of The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup at a packed Redfern Oval on Saturday, holding onto outright second place on the ladder.
The Rabbitohs drew first blood inside the opening 10 minutes when centre Moala Graham-Taufa soared after claiming a well-placed bomb, with halfback Bayleigh Bentley-Hape converting to give the Rabbitohs a 6-0 lead. But North Sydney hit back swiftly through their electric fullback Jake Toby, who latched onto Thomas Steadman's well-timed shift to cross for the first of his two tries on the day.
The Bears didn't stop there. Steadman again provided the key pass just minutes later, and Toby was away once more to put North Sydney ahead 12-6. The momentum had shifted decisively in the Bears' favour.
South Sydney refused to fold. Halfback Jonah Glover produced a moment of individual brilliance – kicking, chasing, re-gathering, and eventually touching down off a grubber – to draw the Bunnies level at 12-all.
Ammaron Gudgeon darted over to restore the Bears' lead, and the teams went into the sheds with North Sydney ahead 16-12 – a mirror image of the scoreline from their Round 12 encounter, only reversed.
The second half followed a similar pattern of sharp back-and-forth football. Winger Tuipulotu Katoa acrobatically flung himself over the try-line 11 minutes into the half to extend the lead to 22-12. Just when South Sydney mounted a response through Bentley-Hape, Gudgeon again proved the difference – outjumping his opponents under Steadman's towering bomb to intercept and score his second of the afternoon, pushing the margin back out to 12.
Riley Maine was next to cross the line, with the ball finding him in space for a try that looked to have sealed the contest after a successful conversion from Hayman saw the Bears lead 34-16.
A late Bentley-Hape try saw him secure a double that brought the Bunnies back to within 14, but the Bears held tight to retain their second position on the ladder, with the final score settling at 34-20.
Talking Points
- Jake Toby was the game's dominant individual on both sides of half-time, scoring two brilliant tries and consistently beating defenders before suffering an apparent hamstring injury late in the second half. His availability for next week's blockbuster against Penrith will be closely monitored.
- Ammaron Gudgeon was exceptional, finishing with two tries and hinting strongly at why he's reportedly signed a deal to play in Perth next year.
- Thomas Steadman was involved in nearly every good thing the Bears created, combining sharply with Toby and distributing with excellent timing all afternoon.
- South Sydney competed hard throughout. Matt Dufty was well marshalled by the Bears' defence, rarely getting the space his numbers suggest he is capable of exploiting.
Key Moment
With South Sydney having levelled at 12-all following Jonah Glover's grubber try and Bentley-Hape conversion, the Bears won the ball just inside the Rabbitohs' half with 75 seconds remaining in the first half. A Steadman-to-Gudgeon combination produced a clinical try, sending the Bears to the break 16-12 in front. It swung the psychological advantage firmly back to North Sydney and proved decisive as the second half unfolded.
What's Next?
North Sydney Bears will face a stunning Round 16 test when competition leaders Penrith Panthers visit North Sydney Oval on Sunday for a 1st v 2nd clash. South Sydney have the bye next week before returning to face a resurgent Roosters side.
