The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup Regional Magic Round produced one of the weekend's biggest upsets at Scully Park in Tamworth, with the 13th placed Melbourne Storm – in their inaugural season – defeating the North Sydney Bears 43-22.
The Bears started with authority, and it was winger Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega who announced himself in style. His first try was a team effort of the highest quality – a sweeping movement involving Harry McKeon, Phillip Makatoa and Ammaron Gudgeon – with Tuaimalo Vaega tiptoeing down the sideline to finish. Kieran Hayman converted to make it 6-0, and within minutes the winger had his double after more unselfish work from Gudgeon, leaving the Bears ahead 10-0 after 13 minutes.
The Storm, however, refused to be overawed. Lock forward Lockyer-Azile Foliola crossed for Melbourne's first after a penalty marched them upfield, and then imposing prop K-CI Newton-Whare crashed over following a brilliant sequence initiated by hooker Gabriel Satrick. Josh Durkin converted both to put the Storm in front 12-10 before Satrick himself dived over with four minutes remaining in the first half. Durkin's boot made it 18-10 at half-time.
Melbourne came out firing in the second half. Debutant fullback Waka Hammond ignited a sensational kick return up the left edge, and within minutes winger Alize Clarke finished in the corner from an audacious cut-out offload by Angus Hinchey. The score was now 22-10.
Liam Williams then added a fifth Storm try after Satrick floated a masterful ball across field, and suddenly the Bears were staring down a 28-10 deficit. Harradyn Wilson replied for North Sydney, crossing after a determined second effort near the try-line, with Hayman converting to make it 28-16.
The Storm were relentless. Mitchell Jennings found Hammond for a try on debut. The young fullback backed up brilliantly through the middle to score, before Suli Pole used his powerful frame to crash over in the closing stages. Durkin added a late field goal to complete the 43-22 victory, Melbourne's fourth win of the season.
Talking Points
- Gabriel Satrick was the game's dominant figure. The former Bears hooker was involved in almost every attacking play, finishing with a try and a string of line-break assists. His performance was a constant headache for his former club.
- Tuaimalo Vaega’s opening brace was the early highlight of the match for the Bears. His footwork on the try-line and the team movement that created the try was among the best of the entire Magic Round weekend.
- Melbourne's bench impact turned the game. The Storm's decision to go to their big men early – Newton-Faire, Musu and Pole – shifted the momentum decisively in the second half of the first stanza and beyond.
Key Moment
With the Bears leading 10-6, the Storm were awarded a penalty that marched them into good field position. From the resulting set, Newton-Whare charged over to put the Storm in the lead at 12-10, and Melbourne never looked back. That penalty was the turning point that saw the Storm carry momentum through to full-time.
What's Next?
The North Sydney Bears will regroup ahead of Round 18 and their date with the Newtown Jets, while the Melbourne Storm will carry enormous confidence into the coming weeks, and are rewarded with the bye round next week.
