Penrith Panthers showed why they are the best team in the VB NSW Cup, topping various team and individual statistics in their 30-24 victory over the Newcastle Knights. They were the best team of the round in ball handling, with a 79% completion rate. Adrian Davis also set up three tries for his team in the win. The Knights also completed well at 77%, while Danny Levi led the way at hooker with nine dummy-half runs.
The New Zealand Warriors demolished Wyong Roos 28-0, and in doing so ran more metres than any other team with 1,730. Nathaniel Peteru and David Fusitu’a hit the 200-metre mark, while Viliami Kaveinga clocked up 181 metres. Kaveinga, Dominique Peyroux and Daniel Palavi all made two linebreaks each. Mitch Williams made 49 tackles for the Roos which was the highest for the round, and in doing so he notched up his 500th tackle for the season.
North Sydney Bears ran 1,704 metres in their 26-all draw against Mounties, with Joel Reddy, Sam Manuleleua and Latrell Schaumkel all clocking up over 180 metres. Reddy also scored two tries, made two linebreaks and had eight tackle busts. Cody Walker was outstanding for the Bears with three try assists, two linebreak assists and a competition-high three linebreaks.
Illawarra Cutters had a good 24-6 win over the Newtown Jets, which saw Justin Hunt and Nathan Green break seven tackles each. Drew Hutchinson made two linebreak assists and Charly Runciman came equal second in offloads with four. Tinirau Arona and David Fifita worked hard for the Jets, making 29 runs between them.
Michael Chee Kam, Jayden Hodges and Delroy Berryman all scored two tries for the Manly Sea Eagles in their 34-18 win over Wests Tigers. Chee Kam also made 20 hitups for 225 metres, got a competition-high five offloads away, made two linebreaks and set up two tries. In a game full of doubles, Delouise Hoeter scored two tries for the Tigers, made seven tackle breaks and two linebreaks. Josh Drinkwater set up all three tries for the Tigers, and also had two assists for linebreaks.
Wentworthville Magpies had a solid 16-4 victory over the Canterbury Bulldogs, which saw Sam Gorman and Joseph Paulo makee 47 and 45 tackles respectively. Paulo was busy in attack as well, providing three offloads and was a part of the Wenty pack that ran for 1,521 metres.
