Recap | The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup - Round 13

Brave Panthers fall at the death to beefed-up Dragons

Stewart Moses

Game summary

In Round Two, the Panthers handed the Dragons a 52-6 hiding, but fast forward to Round 13, and a very different looking Panthers side turned in a gritty performance in a see-sawing contest that saw the lead change hands several times before a vastly more experienced Dragons outfit managed to secure a late 26-22 win at BlueBet Stadium.

With the Panthers NRL side missing six players to Origin, it was going to be a tough ask for a side missing Charlie Staines, Robert Jennings, Kurt Falls, Sean O’Sullivan, Chris Smith, Matt Eisenhuth plus Eddie Blacker (HIA protocols).

Penrith opened the scoring early on with an individual show and go try from Soni Luke from close range and with the conversion from halfback Niwahi Puru, the home side led 6-0 after six minutes.

An error soon after the kick-off enabled the Dragons to hit back almost immediately, with a short pass close to the line from five-eighth Mitch Francis putting backrower Jack Gosiewski over out wide.

Penrith soon restored their six-point advantage with a scrappy try to five-eighth Jack Cole who repeated Soni Luke’s grubber kick effort to ground the ball first in the 15th minute.

Winger Treigh Stewart followed suit in the 23rd minute, trailing a Billy Burns line-break from 25m out to put the Dragons within two points once more.

The Dragons finally took the lead after a break by Sullivan saw fullback Tyrell Sloan backing up to score next to the posts, giving the Dragons a 14-10 lead at half-time.

Early second half back-to-back penalties to the Dragons proved telling as the away side extended their lead to the biggest of the match to date 20-10, after hooker Connor Muhleisen came up with a show and go effort of his own to score from close range.

Penrith stemmed the flow of points with a try of their own through interchange player Isaiah Iongi in the 50th minute, who capitalised on a gap from dummy half. After a successful conversion by Puru, the understrength Panthers trailed by just four again.

Penrith soon regained the lead after a smart pass from Soni Luke, who was instrumental all game, sent Preston Riki crashing over with 16 minutes remaining. 

When the Dragons received a fortuitous six-again, they didn’t need much of an invitation to seal the result when Burns strolled through a gap and found ex-Panther Ethan Clark-Wood, who crashed over securing a 26-22 victory.

Talking points

Tonight’s loss could mean the Panthers, who have led the competition for much of the season, could relinquish that spot to Newtown should they defeat the Raiders this Sunday.

The Dragons’ late win completes a stunning reversal in form from their Round Two 52-6 defeat at the same venue. They currently sit in the top eight for now, pending other results over the weekend.

Key moment

Six minutes before full-time, Penrith looked to have gained an enormous opportunity to seal the two points from a kick-error, but the decision by young back-rower Mavrik Geyer to make a second effort to reach out and score proved telling.

It resulted in a momentum shift from the ensuing penalty where possession flowed firmly in favour of the Dragons who were able to execute when it mattered most.

What's next?

The Panthers now face a long away trip to Belconnen next Saturday to take on the Canberra Raiders while on the same day, the Dragons host the Rabbitohs at Collegians Sporting Complex in Wollongong.

Parramatta Eels v Mounties

Sivo hat-trick helps Eels breeze past Mounties

Anthony Eltarraf

Game summary

Parramatta Eels eased past Mounties at Kellyville Park on Friday night, scoring eight unanswered tries and finishing the game 38-0.

The scoring began early through tries to both winger's for the Eels, with Maika Sivo and Sean Russell both scoring in opposite corners to give their side an early 8-0 lead.

Hayze Perham then added his name to the scoresheet, hitting a hole to score the Eels third try of the game. Jordan Rankin converted his first of the night, taking Parramatta to a 14-point lead.

Four minutes short of half-time, Sivo found himself again scoring in the corner after the Eels shifted the ball to the Fijian flyer. Four tries in the first half for Parramatta with only one converted saw the home side lead 18-0 at the break.

Mounties were down to 12 men after Brad Abbey found himself in the sin bin just before half time, and Parramatta were able to capitalise on the extra man when Bryce Cartwright barged his way over the line to extend the lead to 22-0.

Mounties’ defence couldn’t withstand the constant pressure from the Eels, and it showed when Wiremu Greig touched down under the posts for what was ta regulation four-pointer.

Zac Cini then added his name to the scoresheet after burrowing his way over the line from dummy half on the last tackle, before Maika Sivo secured his hat-trick stepping and powering his way to the try line to cap off a 38-0 victory.

Talking points

Parramatta’s backline were clinical tonight, with both winger's and centre's finding themselves on the scoresheet.

With a number of forced drop-outs, the Eels proved extremely patient, piling the pressure on the Mounties and tiring them out, allowing them to score eight tries.

Mounties errors proved costly, continuously putting pressure on themselves and giving the Eels easy yardage.

Key moment

Parramatta’s start to the game was easily the key to their dominant performance. With their powerful middle and halves steering the ship, the Eels built their momentum early and kept it throughout the course of the game.

What's next?

The Eels look ahead to Monday afternoon, where they take on the Bulldogs at Accor Stadium, while the Mounties look to bounce back against the Bears at Aubrey Keech Reserve on Saturday.

Newcastle Knights v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

South Sydney Rabbitohs v Western Suburbs Magpies

Rabbitohs victorious in high-scoring encounter

Patrick Staveley

Game summary

The South Sydney Rabbitohs have held off a persistent Western Suburbs Magpies side to win 36-32 in an entertaining try-fest at Ironmark High Performance Centre. 

Signs were ominous for the away side early on when Izaac Thompson crossed for a quick fire double within seven minutes to establish an early 12-0 lead. 

Magpies then responded, winning the ball from a kick-off by forcing the ball dead before running in three straight tries through Junior Tupou, Trey Peni and Jake Simpkin. 

With 30 points scored in just 24 minutes, both teams settled before Souths found their way again when Josh Mansour scored in the corner and an Isaiah Tass penalty goal on halftime saw their lead return. 

The beginning of the second half was the longest drought between tries as it took 12 minutes for Mansour to score his second, re-establishing the lead after Jock Madden’s penalty levelled the scores. 

The Magpies soon upped the ante and were rewarded when Madden beat some watchful defenders to put his side back in front. 

Souths then showed why they’re in the top six of though, with their relentless pressure eventually paying dividends. 

A tired Magpies defence let in tries to Ben Lovett and Shaquai Mitchell to sew up the win for the Rabbitohs, despite a consolation try to Wests’ Trey Peni at the end. 

Talking points

The finishing of the wingers is almost underrated these days because spectators have become very used to seeing it. 

It was on display again in this match with both Souths wingers Josh Mansour and Izaac Thompson scoring doubles, and Magpies centre Trey Peni finding himself out wide with quality put-downs for each of his two tries. 

Key moment

The Magpies were down 12-0 early on and their clever kick-off changed the game. However, it ultimately gave the seemingly complacent Rabbitohs a wake-up call to hold on for a narrow win. 

What’s next?

South Sydney travel to a cold Wollongong next Saturday to take on eighth-placed St George Illawarra, while Western Suburbs gear up for their clash with Blacktown at Campbelltown Sports Stadium. 

Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles v North Sydney Bears

Fast-starting Sea Eagles hold on to upset Bears

Hugo Lumb

Game summary

The Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles’ flying start prevented a late comeback from North Sydney Bears to win 22-16 in Round 13 of the Knock-On Effect NSW Cup – their second victory of the season.

With early tries to wingers Raymond Vaega and Jorge Taufua, the Sea Eagles sprinted out to an unexpected 10-point lead.

After 25 minutes the Bears finally got on the scoreboard with Jordan Lieu crossing the stripe.

Blacktown halfback Jamie Humphreys slotted a penalty goal from in front soon after, moving the score to 12-6 with 10 minutes remaining in the half. The scores did not change before the break as both sides continued to battle for ascendancy.

Blacktown started the second half similar to the first, with Ethan Bullemor crossing for double just prior to the hour mark.

As the Sea Eagles held a 22-6 lead with 11 minutes to play, tries to Bears half Lachlan Lam and winger Tom Carr gave the visitors some hope of a comeback.

At 22-16, despite the Bears having six more minutes in the match to try and level the scores, the Sea Eagles hung on courageously for their second win of 2022.

Talking points

Blacktown’s victory proved the value of NRL experience in a NSW Cup side, particularly during the State of Origin period.

Boasting first grade calibre players like James Segeyaro, Jorge Taufua, Taniela Paseka and Ethan Bullemor, the Sea Eagles’ defence improved dramatically and made a significant contribution to their upset win.

Key moment

With the second half only two minutes old Sea Eagles flyer Raymond Vaega burst through the Bears’ defensive line, and after bumping off the fullback he looked certain to score before offloading to No.1 Jake Toby. Toby then passed to Ethan Bullemor, who finished off the length-of-the-field effort and extended Blacktown’s lead to beyond six points.

What’s next?

The Bears will be looking to bounce back when they face Mounties on Saturday, while the Sea Eagles aim to make it back-to-back wins on Sunday when they face the struggling Magpies.

Canberra Raiders v Newtown Jets