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

Rabbitohs end Jets' perfect start to the season

Patrick Staveley

Game summary

The Newtown Jets’ perfect start to the 2022 Knock-On Effect NSW Cup season has come to an end after they were toppled 32-10 by the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

The Jets were dealt an early blow when key forward Franklin Pele pulled up injured after a big run and although he recovered, he was not as effective.

The Bunnies got off to an explosive start as they kicked off to a 10-0 lead early on through tries to Tyson Hodge and Jaxson Paulo.

The ladder leaders responded when Kayal Iro’s great run resulted in a try to Kade Dykes. From that point on though it was just one-way traffic with the Rabbitohs posting three consecutive tries for a 26-6 lead at half-time.

The Jets goal-line defence was being regularly tested when Jaxson Paulo picked up his second try off a deft Dean Hawkins grubber kick before Yileen Gordon and Izaac Thompson both touched down.

Gordon’s sin-binning in the second half threatened to derail Souths’ good work when Iro found the line in the following set. However, it was the Jets’ last posts for the match with Shannon Gardiner ultimately sealing the result from Souths 10 minutes from full-time. 

Talking points

The Jets were clearly missing some of their more experienced players, and the flair of the Rabbitohs backline exploited that. Their defence was a concern in this match although it improved in the second half. 

Key moment

Just a minute into the match a bulldozing run from steamroll Franklin Pele was setting up the foundations for a great opening set for Newtown, however his injury halted play and his impact was limited following this. The key forward in their pack getting injured affected their momentum. 

What's next?

The win was a good response from Souths following a disappointing defeat to the Dragons last week. They face the bottom-placed Western Magpies at Lidcombe Oval on Sunday while the Jets host the Sea Eagles at Henson Park.

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v Newcastle Knights

Knights' fightback too strong for fast-starting Dogs

Bulldogs.com.au & NSWRL

Game summary

The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have suffered a 34-24 loss to the Newcastle Knights in Round Six of The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup at Belmore Sports Ground on Saturday.

Creedence Toia opened the scoring for the home side after five-eighth Zach Docker-Clay found open space to put the winger in the clear, racing 60 metres unopposed to dot down in the fifth minute.

The lead increased to two converted tries moments later when forward Josh Stuckey crashed over for the Bulldogs in the eighth minute. 

Canterbury-Bankstown were soon on the attack once again, this time with winger Jacob Kiraz breaking through the Newcastle defence to release Declan Casey down the left touchline. The centre placed a well-weighted kick for Reece Hoffman to regather and touch down by the crossbar.

The Knights were able to post points on the board when winger Honeti Tuha won the race to a grubber into the in-goal for their first of the afternoon.

Newcastle were back over the line again when Ben Talty barged his way over the line to bite into the lead for 18-10 just before halftime.

They got off to the perfect start in the second half when McKenzie Baker scored to bring the deficit to within a try.

The visitors then hit the lead with 15 minutes left in the match after Luke Huth crossed over. The surge continued deep into the half when Lachlan Williams added to Newcastle's tally to increase their lead to 30-18 with just over 10 minutes remaining.

Bulldogs utility Ryan Gray snuck over from dummy-half to cut the lead to six points and give his side a glimmer of hope, but the Knights ultimately had the last say in the 75th minute when Brayden Musgrove crossed to round out the 10-point win.

Talking points

After a strong start to the season the Bulldogs will be looking to address their defence from the past two weeks. Having conceded less than 12 points per game in the opening four weeks before giving up 30 or more in Rounds Six and Seven, Canterbury-Bankstown will need to make improvements in that area to help rediscover their early season form.

With a vastly young side to start 2022, the Knights are beginning to click and certainly showed what they are capable of with Saturday's performance. The back five is one of the strongpoints for the Novocastrians who can all make big contributions in yardage as well as on the scoreboard. In the Knights win over the Bulldogs, four of the five outside backs crossed for tries.

Key moment

Luke Huth's 62nd-minute try was a key point in the contest for both sides as Newcastle hit the front for the first time. The try dramatically shifted the momentum with the Knights scoring again just four minutes later, and the visitors didn't give up their two-try lead for the remainder of the match.

What's next?

The Bulldogs host Mounties on Saturday afternoon in Round Seven as both teams look to return to the winner's list, while the Knights face off against Parramatta Eels on Sunday at McDonald Jones Stadium from 11:30AM.

Mounties v Penrith Panthers

Panthers victorious after second half scoring spree

Tom Gibbs

Game summary

The Penrith Panthers have piled on the points in the second half against Mounties to run away with a 42-16 victory in Round Six of The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup.

While both sides were unable to gain the early points advantage in the opening 10 minutes, Penrith started to assert control in the territory battle with the lion’s share (over 60 percent) of possession.

At the 14-minute mark the defensive toll on Mounties resulted in the Panthers’ first try when Soni Luke took a few steps from dummy-half just 10 metres out, before finding a rampaging Eddie Blacker to crash over for the first points.

Not long after Penrith were back to their usual attacking rhythm to get themselves into try-scoring range again, shifting through the hands from right to left for centre Matt Stimson to score in the 23rd minute.

As the Panthers gathered more momentum, the NRL experience of Sean O’Sullivan came to the fore as the five-eighth took advantage of retreating defence with his running game on several occasions.

In the 29th minute Penrith were in again through Blacker’s fellow book-end Lindsay Smith, stepping off his left and diving under the posts for a try. Halfback Kurt Falls kept up his 100 percent conversion rate for an 18-0 lead.

Mounties were able to narrow the deficit back to 12 points five minutes from halftime as halfback Coby Thomas found a gap in the line to reach out and score, before No.6 Jarrett Subloo added the extras.

Mounties soon scored another four-pointer only three minutes into the second half. Centre Semisi Kioa snatched a loose ball from a last-tackle kick and planted the ball in the left corner. Subloo was unable to convert.

From that point the contest was all Penrith as the men in pink began to put the foot down, scoring four unanswered tries in 11 minutes through back-rower Mavrik Geyer (49th minute), fullback Sunia Turuva (52nd minute), Christian Crichton (57th minute) and J’maine Hopgood (60th minute). Falls finished with a perfect day off the boot with seven from seven.

In the remaining 20 minutes the score-line stayed at 42-10 for the most part until Mounties’ No.6 Subloo put on a chip-and-chase in the final moments, regathering possession for a try of his own and a second conversion for the afternoon.

Talking points

The connection between the Penrith middles has quickly become a hallmark of their attacking dominance in 2022, and it was on show again in Round Six. While the likes of Eddie Blacker and Lindsay Smith are invariably too strong for opposition defenders with their centre-field carries, hooker Soni Luke’s link-up play with the two big men from dummy-half has been key to their try-scoring exploits this season.

Mavrik Geyer, son of True Blue Mark, has continued to impress in his promotion to open age competition this year. Geyer came into the action in the 22nd minute before scoring a crucial try in early exchanges of the second half to extend Penrith’s lead back to two converted tries.

Key moment

A three-minute period in the second half belonged to Penrith winger Thomas Jenkins who had a major role in two quick tries for his side, at which point the Panthers didn’t look back.

His first big involvement was a break down the left sideline immediately followed by Geyer’s 49th-minute try beside the uprights. Moments later Jenkins caught onto an O’Sullivan cross kick and found no room to move, before turning back inside and getting boot to ball for a perfect grubber into the hands of Turuva to score.

What’s next?

From 3:00PM next Saturday Mounties have a tough Round Seven assignment against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at Belmore Sports Ground.

The Panthers take on the Raiders next Sunday in the second of four matches for the afternoon, kicking off at BlueBet Stadium from 1:50PM.

North Sydney Bears v Canberra Raiders

Bears edge out Raiders in an intense clash

Hugo Lumb 

Game summary

The North Sydney Bears proved too strong for the Canberra Raiders in their Round Six clash on Saturday North Sydney Oval.

Canberra started fast to score in the third minute through veteran NRL centre Jarrod Croker, who failed to convert the try. The game then became a back-and-forth arm wrestle with both teams showing their attacking prowess.

The Bears later responded in the 20th minute with winger Tom Carr crossing for a four-pointer, soon followed by tries to forward Renouf Atoni (27th minute) and Carr again (30th minute).

Just before halftime the Raiders wrestled back some momentum, with back-rower Trey Mooney crossing for a try in the 36th minutes from a barnstorming run. After an exciting half, the teams headed into the sheds with the score-line at 16-10. Despite the Bears looking like the better, tries to the Raiders at both ends of the half kept the game in the balance.

It was the Raiders first to cross the stripe in the second half, with Hudson Young scoring from a short ball courtesy of halfback Sam Williams. Croker converted to lock the scores at 16-all in the 50th minute. The Raiders went on to produce their third straight try as winger Utuloa Asomua scored again, giving the Raiders a 20-16 lead.

Within the closing stages of the game the Bears took control, scoring two magnificent tries through back-rower Jacob Preston, who made his NSW Cup debut. The Bears ultimately ran out 28-20 winners and maintained their undefeated status for the season.

Talking points

Bears halves Volkman and Smith impacted the game through strong ball running and general play kicking, using their agility and quick footwork to challenge the Raiders' strong forward pack.

The Canberra forwards played a big role in their Round Six performance, running the ball effectively and making sure the visitors side were never camped on their own line. Harry Rushton played brilliantly at No.13 not just when he ran the ball, but in linking with his fellow forwards and easing pressure off the Raiders' halves. However, what let the Raiders down was their defence around the ruck.

Debutant Jacob Preston played strongly for the Bears, finishing his first NSW Cup appearance with two tries to decide the game. Playing in the back row also defended solidly and wasn’t afraid to put his hand up for some tough carries.

Key moment

Trailing 20-16, the Bears began to swing the momentum back in their favour through high completion before forcing a Raiders error and earning a set of six from 10 metres out.

After some settling runs, Bears halfback Sandon Smith ran into the line, shaping for a long pass but opting to go short for back-rower Jacob Preston to score in the 68th minute - his first NSW Cup try. Adam Keighran converted for a 22-20 lead to set up a grandstand finish.

What's next?

The Raiders face the high-flying Panthers next week at BlueBet Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Bears are set for back-to-back games at North Sydney Oval, facing the Dragons on Sunday at 2:00PM.

St George Illawarra Dragons v Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles

Dragons secure second win of 2022

Blake Edwards

Game Summary

St George Illawarra Dragons have secured their second victory and the easter chocolates, with an emphatic 42-4 victory over the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles at WIN Stadium, Wollongong on Easter Sunday.

Jayden Sullivan was the star of the show, setting up a number of tries including a hat trick to winger Jonathan Reuben, as well as scoring his own in the final stages of the match. Furthermore, strong showings from Tyrell Sloan, Aaron Woods and Jackson Ford, will be sure to have them on Anthony Griffins radar for NRL recalls.

It was was an energetic start to the contest by the Dragons, portraying more confidence off  back of their Round Five victory over the Rabbitohs, throwing the ball around early and threatening Blacktown's line.

Despite the confident start by the Red V, it was the Sea Eagles who landed the first blow in the ninth minute when a cross-field kick was dropped by Dragons winger Alex Lobb, and quickly scooped up by Eagles back-rower Luke Hodge who found his way over the line.

St George Illawarra hit back in the 23rd minute when Dragons live-wire halfback Jayden Sullivan provided a neat short ball to forward Jackson Ford, who then strolled through a considerable gap in the Blacktown goal-line defence.

The Dragons momentum continued with Sullivan involved again, after a silky scrum base shift saw Tyrell Sloan slice through before offloading to supporting centre Jonathan Reuben who raced away to score, icing a brilliant attacking play and giving the Dragons a 12-4 lead heading into the break.

Sullivan wasted no time injecting himself into the game after the resumption, providing a well executed a long-range grubber kick which held up inside the in-goal area, with Reuben winning the race to ground the ball in the in-goal securing his double.

Reuben bagged his hat-trick just a few minutes later in spectacular fashion, showing great athleticism and diving through the air to plant the ball inside the corner post.

Blacktown's woes continued well into the second half, with the visitors struggling to get their way into the contest as the Red V ran in two quick tries through Alexander Lobb (57th minute) and Brad Deitz in the (68th minute), putting the game well out of reach at 36-4 with just over 10 minutes remaining.

Jayden Sullivan rounded out a brilliant individual performance with a try in
The 75th minute, with his side recording a hefty 42-4 victory.

Talking Points

Jayden Sullivan and Tyrell Sloan should catch the eye of NRL head coach Anthony Griffin, with the pair providing a high energy level and brilliant attacking flare, something the Dragons’ NRL side desperately needs.

Jayden Sullivan finished the game for the Dragons, however he received some treatment throughout the second half for an injury.

Key Moment

The two tries in quick succession to Reuben shortly after the halftime break swung the game in the Dragons favour. The momentum created from the back-to-back tries dented the spirits of the Blacktown team, and realistically, put the game out of reach.

What’s Next?

The Dragons will look to make it three straight when they face North Sydney Bears at North Sydney oval. While the Sea Eagles head to Henson Park to face Newtown Jets, who will be looking to bounce back after suffering their first defeat of 2022.

Parramatta Eels v Western Suburbs Magpies

Komolafe Hat-trick Helps Eels to Thrashing on Easter Monday

By Anthony Eltarraf

Game Summary

The Parramatta Eels secured a convincing victory over the Western Suburbs Magpies in their Easter Monday clash at CommBank Stadium, 40 points to 10.

Parramatta drew first blood through a shift, finishing with winger Matthew Komolafe to score his first of the afternoon near the corner.

The young Eels winger would follow with a second try just prior to half time, but not before the Magpies could get over through Junior Tupou, whose try was converted by five-eighth Ben Stevanovic.

The two sides went into the break, with Parramatta leading the away side 10-6.

The second half proved to be a much more one-sided affair, with the home team dominating for the majority. Matthew Komolafe secured his hat-trick just five minutes into the half after another backline spread.

Second rower Elie El-Zakhem then followed up with a try of his own, taking the ball form dummy half and barging his way over the line.

Tries were coming in quick succession for the Eels, with Jack Williams fooling the opposition line with a dummy to touch down for a four pointer. The young five-eighth then put his centre Samuel Loizou through a gaping hole for another try.

The Magpies refused to quit, and winger Junior Tupou scored his second of the game following a backline shift, this time from the away side.

With eight minutes left of the game, a grubber into the in-goal area couldn’t be cleaned up by the Magpies, allowing Jayden Yates to pounce on the loose ball and secure his side’s dominant 40-10 victory at CommBank Stadium.

Talking Points

Parramatta are proving to be contenders in the Knock-On Effect NSW Cup this season, displaying dominance all over the pitch.

In-form second rower Elie El-Zakhem is pushing for a first-grade spot, as he continues to show his ability, threatening the opposition’s edge and getting his name on the scoresheet with a brilliant solo effort.

The Magpies are really struggling to find any form this season, as they still seek their first victory of 2022.

Key Moment

The try to Matthew Komolafe just before half time really gave the home side a momentum boost after a tight first half. This allowed for Parramatta to bring that momentum into the second half and seal a convincing victory.

What’s Next?

The Eels travel to Newcastle next Sunday to battle the Knights, who are coming off a morale boosting victory over the Bulldogs, while the Magpies host the Rabbitohs in Lidcombe as they continue to search for their first points on the ladder.