Canterbury Cup NSW Rd 18 - scores, highlights, reports

A relentless second-half performance from the Warriors has ignited a dominant 34-8 victory over the Newtown Jets at Mt Smart Stadium on Saturday. 

A slender two-point advantage at half-time culminated into a commanding attacking display from the Warriors, most notably from five-eighth Adam Keighran who crossed for two tries. 

The Jets were unable to withstand the countless attacking raids in the latter stages of the contest with the result meaning they have recorded back-to-back losses and have failed to score more than eight points in each of their two fixtures. 

The victory momentarily puts the Warriors in sixth place on the competition ladder.

Penrith Panthers v Newcastle Knights 

Stewart Moses

Penrith have conceded top spot on the Canterbury Cup NSW ladder after a shock 30-22 loss to lowly Newcastle Knight at Panthers Stadium, with Knights centre Tex Hoy’s double midway through the second half proving to be the difference.

Despite the home side leading 6-0 after the opening set of the game, it was the Knights who had the better of the first half on the back of a 8-2 penalty count to lead 18-10.

The Panthers were able to regain the lead early in the second half through a double to Billy Burns but Newcastle weren’t going to be denied on the back of Tex Hoy mirroring Burns’ efforts with a second half double of his own.

And in a potential blow for the Panthers, forward Hame Sele will have a nervous wait for the charge sheet after he was placed on report for a high shot on Newcastle’s Pheonix Crossland.

Penrith were quick out of the blocks, posting the opening try in the very first set of the game, with Matt Burton’s kick on the last finding space and enabling the winger, Jake Tago to regather and having presence of mind to passing himself to his supporting five-eighth to score in the left corner and with Jed Cartwright’s sideline conversion, the Panthers had the perfect start after three minutes leading 6-0.

But the Knights weren’t overawed by the start, hit back with consecutive tries of their own.

The first try came through centre Mitch Andrews after Mason Lino’s cross-field kick wasn’t dealt with by the Panthers and with Lino’s simple conversion, scores were locked up 6-6 after seven minutes.

Then from the restart, a line-break from inside his own half by lock-forward Zac Hosking, ended with a try behind the posts to hooker Chris Randall to give the visitors a shock 12-6 lead after 11 minutes.

The Panthers got to within two mid-way through the first half, when some back-to-back penalties inside the Knights 20 enabled Penrith to score through winger Malakai Watene-Zelezniak, after some fine hands were shown by Kaide Ellis, Dean Blore and Charlie Staines in the lead up to the winger’s try in the north-east corner of Panthers Stadium.

On the back of numerous penalties and repeat sets inside the Panthers 20, the Knights extended their lead to 18-10 just before halftime with interchange forward Jirah Moimoisea plunging over from close range and another upset in consecutive weeks involving the competition leaders was on the cards again.

But as was the case in the first half, Penrith with their opening use of the ball were able to hit back through back-rower Billy Burns who found his way to the line after taking the inside offload from Tyrell Fuimaono and with Dean Blore taking over kicking responsibilities, the Panthers once again trailed by just two.

But unlike the first half when the Knights hit back with consecutive tries, the Panthers on the back of poor discipline were soon in again through Burns, the second-rower running a terrific line off Blore to dive over out wide and with the halfback’s conversion, Penrith suddenly found themselves back in front for the first time since the opening moments of the game, 22-18 after 50 minutes.

As has been the case for much of the game, fortune favoured the team holding sway in the possession stakes, with the Knights hitting back to score through Tex Hoy after some good leadup work from the halves, Lino and Crossland, the latter providing the short reverse pass for Hoy to break through and score out wide and through Lino’s conversion, led 24-22.

And it was that man Hoy again four minutes later bobbing up this time on the left, trailing Jacob Gagan before taking the inside pass to score from close range to allow the Knights to regain their 8 point lead with 15 minutes remaining, which proved to the difference in the end despite Penrith’s best attempts to find posts of their own.

It’s a much-needed win for Newcastle, as they look to avoid the wooden spoon let alone maintain touch with the top eight as the competition heads into the final quarter of the regular season, starting with next Saturday’s clash with Western Suburbs at St Johns Oval.

For the Panthers its back to the drawing boards, having relinquished the competition lead as they now look to turn their attention to next Sunday’s clash at Panthers Stadium against Mounties.

Western Suburbs Magpies v St George Illawarra Dragons

Andrew Jackson

Western Suburbs Magpies have survived a late scare to share a thrilling 24-all draw with the St George Illawarra Dragons at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday afternoon.

Scores were locked at 24-all heading into the final minutes of the game with Magpies five-eighth Jock Madden having a last-gasp chance at field-goal only for his attempt to go astray. 

The Dragons will also be made to rue some missed opportunities in the dying stages but were unable to take advantage for prime field position

Remarkably, it's the second time this season where these two sides have finished level at full-time, the first coming in Round 12 with an incredible 22-all draw.

More to come. 

North Sydney Bears v Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles

Hannah McGrory

The North Sydney Bears have recorded their third consecutive win after defeating the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles 28-24 at North Sydney Oval on Sunday. 

Two tries from Brock Lamb inspired the victory although the Sea Eagles will take plenty of confidence from their last two performances against sides entrentched in the top 8 of the competition ladder. 

In an error-riddled first half, it took 22 minutes for either side to fin a breakthrough with Billy Smith coming up trumps with the opening try of the contest. 

Blacktown Workers second rower Haumole Olakau’atu had a short stint coming off in the 30th minute following a leg injury. 

More to come.