Live Coverage | The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup - Round Five

Raiders prove too strong in Wagga Wagga

Andrew McEnallay

Game summary

Canberra Raiders have defeated Mounties 30-16 in Wagga Wagga to secure their third win of the 2022 season.

Both sides went end-to-end early in the game although it was Mounties who got on the board first, after some clever dummy half play from Josh Daley sent Ben Seufale crashing over.

As the game went on, the Raiders started to come into their own. They were able to roll downfield and give their danger men Xavier Savage and Jarrod Croker plenty of opportunities. The first of which resulted in a try to Utuloa Asomua in the 17th minute.

Mounties were their own worst enemies in the first half, continually letting the Raiders out of their own end off the back of penalties.

Despite the Raiders being on top in the first half, Mounties went into the break up 12-6 after some nice footwork by Brad Abbey had him linking up with Tim Simona, who crashed over for Mounties second.

Tries to James Schiller, Clay Webb and Harry Rushton put the Raiders up 24-12 and Mounties weren’t doing themselves any favours after dropping the ball in attacking field position multiple times.

Mounties got themselves back into the game with a try to Dane Aukafolau although the Raiders put the result to bed, after Webb scored his double through sheer effort with less than a minute remaining.

Talking points

The Raiders have some serious young talent coming through their ranks and one to keep an eye on is prop Harry Rushton. At just 21-years-old, Rushton hails from the UK and joined the club from Wigan Warriors before the 2021 season.

Able to play up front or on an edge, Rushton proved he has all the makings of first-grader and had two highlight plays in his sides win over Mounties.

The first came when he tipped the ball on beautifully to Clay Webb who scored his first of the afternoon, and the second was one of the rarest plays you’re likely to see on a football field.

After getting the ball at first receiver, Rushton put a deft grubber kick through the line and chased through putting a second kick past the fullback and diving on it to score his third try of the season and send the Wagga Wagga crowd into a frenzy.

Key moment

With scores at 12-all in the 50th minute, Mounties launched an attacking raid on the Raiders line until Semisi Kioa knocked on and while everyone stood still, Schiller scooped it up and showed serious pace, racing 80m downfield to score and put his side in front.

What’s next?

Both sides have a challenging week ahead as the Raiders take on North Sydney Bears at North Sydney Oval and Mounties face off against Western Suburbs rivals, Penrith Panthers at Belmore Sports Ground.

Newtown Jets v Western Suburbs Magpies

Demetriou hat-trick helps Jets to fifth win of the season

Anthony Eltarraf

Game summary

Newtown Jets remain undefeated after five rounds with a convincing victory over Western Suburbs Magpies. Addison Demetriou scored a hattrick in a brilliant display to help his side to a 40-10 win at Henson Park.

It was the home side who opened the scoring through a barging Reubenn Rennie, who was able to power his way over the line for his third try in just as many games.

The Jets found themselves in good field position again after a successful 40/20 attempt by Braydon Trindall. This allowed for centre Addison Demetriou to add his name to the scoresheet, bursting through a hole in the opposition defence to double his side’s lead.

The Magpies were able to respond before the end of the first half through Junior Pauga, who dived on a loose ball from a grubber to score in the corner. An unsuccessful conversion attempt meant the Magpies went into the sheds trailing by eight.

It didn’t take long for the second half scoring to kick off with Jets fullback Kade Dykes showcasing his speed and agility, exploding through the line and getting around his opposition number to score between the posts.

The Jets went back-to-back again, this time scoring through Tyla Tamou who dived in the corner to extend the lead to 22-4.

The away side refused to give up, capitalising on a golden opportunity in the Jets red zone through Junior Tupou. Halfback Ben Stevanovic converted from the sideline to cut the margin to two converted tries.

Two more tries to the Jets through Addison Demetriou, scoring his second of the match, and through the ever-present Braydon Trindall further extended the Jets lead, before Demetriou completed his hattrick and sealed his team's 40-10 victory at Henson Park.

Talking points

Jets centre Addison Demetriou put on a brilliant display, presenting himself at every opportunity to secure a hattrick.

Braydon Trindall continues to knock on the door of the Sharks’ first grade side despite their star signings, scoring a try himself and controlling the tempo all throughout the match.

The Magpies still have a lot of work to do in order to find their form and secure their first victory of the 2022 season.

Key moment

An early onslaught from the travelling side at the beginning of the second half would have proven threatening, had they capitalised. However it was the Jets’ rock solid defence that held off the Magpies, before the home team put on an attacking master-class to score 28 points in the second half.

What's next?

The Newtown Jets travel to Sydney Olympic Park to take on the South Sydney Rabbitohs next week, while the Magpies search for their first victory of the season against the Parramatta Eels on Easter Monday.

South Sydney Rabbitohs v St George Illawarra Dragons

Dragons hold off surging Bunnies for first win of 2022

Patrick Staveley

Game summary

St George Illawarra Dragons have withstood a late comeback from South Sydney Rabbitohs to post their first victory in The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup in 2022, winning 30-26.

Having suffered four heavy defeats to start off the year, the Red V were in need of some confidence and this win will be sure to provide that.

After dropping down from first grade this week, Jack Gosiewski was ready to show his worth and he did just that with a double to kick his side out to a 12-0 lead.

An intercept by Tautau Moga helped send Jonathon Reuben on his way for a try to set up an 18-0 half-time margin. Souths were fast out of the blocks in the second half with gun centre Isaiah Tass finding the line within just two minutes after play resumed.

The Dragons were out to quash any sort of comeback when Daniel Alvaro crashed over just two minutes later, before some individual brilliance by Tyrell Sloan set up Alexander Lobb establishing a 30-4 lead.

The Rabbitohs weren’t out of the game and they set out to break the Dragons hearts'. The away side were guilty of some questionable goal-line defence as Souths posted three tries within seven minutes, with Trent Peoples bagging a double and Josiah Karapani picking up a four-pointer.

Despite a last minute try to Maila Chan-Foon, the Dragons would hold on for a crucial and well-deserved victory. 

Key moment

Up 18-0 before half-time, a Souths try could’ve dampened the Dragons spirits. A miraculous try-saver from Tyrell Sloan on Trent Peoples kept the home side to nil in the first half, in a play that could’ve changed things at half-time. 

Talking points

The likes of Sloan and Jayden Sullivan were showcasing their creative talent today as they look to gain some confidence and remain in consideration for Anthony Griffin’s first grade side.

While Souths had an off day, there’s no denying they have a future first-grade star in the shape of Isaiah Tass. Tass was the biggest threat for Souths in attack, constantly causing trouble for the Dragons defence as he picked up a try and a try assist.

What's next?

Souths are at home again next week as they host the high-flying Newtown Jets.

The Dragons are at home to the Sea Eagles who are currently struggling in 10th place. 

North Sydney Bears v Parramatta Eels

Keighran and Carr too hot for Eels as Bears run wild

Jason Hosken

Game summary

An early try blitz has seen North Sydney extend its unbeaten start to The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup season with a dominant 30-16 win over the Parramatta Eels at North Sydney Oval on Saturday evening.

In what started as an end-to-end grind, it quickly turned on its head after the Eels first error in the sixth minute. Centre Toa Mata'afa strolled across to open the Bears' account, and from there the floodgates opened.

North Sydney then shredded the Eels fragile right edge, racing in another four tries in 18 minutes to skip clear 26-0.  Centre Adam Keighran scored the first before winger and competition leading try scorer, Tom Carr, raced in for another two. By the 24th minute, Keighran had a double and three conversions. 

Two tries to winger Matthew Komolafe made sure Parramatta saved face before the break. Both came through the hands of backrower Dan Keir and former Tiger Zac Cini, but it was the Bears in command, 26-10 at halftime.

With the game in the bag, the Bears coasted home after the break with hooker Ben Marschke chasing down his own kick for the locals only points of the half.

Some nice footwork by Samuel Loizou saw the Parramatta centre round out the scoring in the 73rd minute.

Talking points

Parramatta’s right edge defence of Samuel Loizou and winger Max Lehmann simply had no answer when Keighran and Carr applied the blowtorch. Standing at 195cm, the long striding Carr extended his season tally to seven tries and was continually shown the open field by his inside partner who pressed his claims for inclusion in the Roosters top 17.

The late inclusion of backrow pair Naufahu Whyte and Renouf Atoni proved a masterstroke by Bears coach, Jason Taylor. The backs stole the limelight, but without the line splitting capability of these two through the middle, it could have been a different story.

Parramatta entered the clash ranked first in line breaks, but poor hands in the first half placed them on the back foot. Second-rower Dan Keir was a shining light and with several breaks looks a fine prospect.

Rooster big names Joseph Suaalii and Lachlan Lam were solid without being spectacular. Stationed on the right wing, Suaalii had little to do but watch his teammates on the other side of the field rack up the points, while Lam controlled proceedings around the ruck.

Key moment

With Norths already clear 20-0 after 24 minutes, the game was already in the bag but Keighran’s second try was a Bears classic.

In the set following the restart, with lightning footwork the former Warrior sent Carr into open space before backing up to finish off his own good work in the Ken Irvine Scoreboard corner.

What's next?

The Bears are back on home turf next Saturday when they look to make it five from five against the Canberra Raiders.

While the Eels return to Commbank Stadium to tackle the Magpies in an Easter Monday blockbuster. It’s an important clash for the Eels, with a win needed to stay in touch with the top four sides.

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v Penrith Panthers

Panthers reel in deficit to overcome Bulldogs

Jason Hosken

Game summary

An early deficit proved no obstacle for the Penrith Panthers as they stormed home to defeat the previously unbeaten Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 30-16 in Round Five of The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup at Belmore Sports Ground.

Despite Jayden Okunbor being denied the opening try due to an obstruction, Canterbury-Bankstown made the most of several penalties to skip ahead to a 12-0 lead after 15 minutes.

Replacement fullback Corey Allan crossed from a pin-point Bailey Biondi-Odo bomb, before prop Billy Tsikrikas and Zach Dockar-Clay combined to send edge forward Joshua Stuckey over next to the posts.

Things only got worse for the Panthers four minutes later when repeated ruck infringements saw lock J'maine Hopgood sent to the sin bin.

The tide eventually turned when Liam Henry crashed over for Penrith’s first try in the 30th minute. And by halftime, the mountain men remarkably found themselves in front 18-12. 

Kurt Falls finished a forward rush next to the posts, which was quickly followed by a runaway try to speedy winger Thomas Jenkins.

Still rattled, the Bulldogs defence simply had no answers two minutes after the restart when Panthers big man Eddie Blacker steamed onto a Soni Luke inside ball from close range. 

A soft try to Sean O’Sullivan on the hour pushed the Panthers’ lead out to 30-12, before a consolation try to Okunbor rounded out the scoring with 15 minutes remaining on the clock.

Talking points 

O’Sullivan replicated his solid NRL form in his first game back in the NSW Cup since Nathan Cleary's return. Alongside halfback Kurt Falls, who leads the competition for try assists (11), the pair ensured the Bulldogs were always under pressure. 

With Canterbury-Bankstown on fire early, O’Sullivan’s calming influence with the boot enabled Penrith to rebound late in the first half. Forcing the Bulldogs into three goal-line drop-outs, the former Warrior allowed his side to regroup and claim the ascendency.  

Canterbury-Bankstown coach David Tangata-Toa admitted the promotion of Kyle Flanagan to first grade was a blow for his team. Replacement playmaker Bailey Biondi-Odo had his moments, but overall, the Bulldogs struggled for composure when pressing the Panthers' line.

Both sides entered the clash with the best defence across the opening four rounds, but it was Penrith who stood up when it counted, holding up Bulldogs attackers in-goal on three occasions in the opening exchanges, including twice in one set during the 11th minute.

Key moment 

At 12-0 down Penrith could have easily lost their way when Hopgood was marched off in the 19th minute, yet they somehow scrambled to deny former Storm winger Isaac Lumelume in the left corner. When the ball-playing lock eventually returned, Penrith powered away from the home side with three unanswered tries to round out the half.

What’s next?

Both sides return to Belmore next Saturday in a Round Six double header for the Easter long weekend.

Canterbury-Bankstown will be out to kickstart their season against eighth-placed Newcastle in the early game at 1:00PM, while the Panthers look to go back-to-back against Mounties in the later game from 3:00PM.

Newcastle Knights v Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles