Recap | The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup - Round 15

Panthers bounce back to defeat Jets

Patrick Staveley

Game summary

The Penrith Panthers have overtaken the Newtown Jets to climb into first on The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup ladder after toppling the leaders 26-6 at Henson Park. 

The match was evenly poised in the first half with scores locked for some time in what played out as a cagey affair early on.

Sean O’Sullivan opened the scoring when he acted as a support player to sprint 25m off an offload to score. The Jets hit back through Kayal Iro when he picked up the scraps from a grubber.

Scores were tied at 6-all for the remaining 20 minutes of the half until Penrith’s interchange John Faiumu crossed with 30 seconds left to re-establish a Panthers lead. 

Penrith exploded out of the gate in the second half with Charlie Staines wasting no time to make an impact in setting up Trent Toelau for a scintillating try. Staines caught a chip kick on the full before busting a tackle instantly and sprinting up field.

With a Jets cover tackle looming, he linked up with his five-eighth who changed direction and charged for the corner to score. Daeon Amituanai crossed to take the lead to 22-6 just nine minutes into the second half with the game quickly pulling away from the Jets.

Penrith kept rolling on with each set while their defence never looked like conceding again despite Newtown’s best efforts. Amituanai nabbed his second in the 73rd minute to add an exclamation point to proceedings. 

Talking points

As they take top spot on the ladder, Penrith have to be considered as favourites for this competition. You could be mistaken for thinking you’re watching their first grade side with their line speed and their aggression in both attack and defence. It will take some team to stop this Panthers side from winning it. 

Key moment

Penrith’s tries on either side of half-time really set the foundation for the victory leaving the Jets shell-shocked.

What's next?

Both sides feature in blockbusters again next week. Penrith host the North Sydney Bears on Friday night while the Jets play away to the Bulldogs in the early game on Saturday afternoon. 

Parramatta Eels v North Sydney Bears

Canberra Raiders v Newcastle Knights

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v Western Suburbs Magpies

Bulldogs jump to equal-first with dominant win over Magpies

Hugo Lumb

Game summary

The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs put on a show in their 48-12 win over Western Suburbs Magpies on Sunday, moving to equal-first position on The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup ladder as a result.

The Bulldogs started fast and chanced their arm with ball in hand, scoring through fullback Matt Dufty in the third minute. They doubled the lead only six minutes later when Declan Casey strolled through a gaping hole to make it 12-0.

Crafty hooker Joshua Cook then made it three tries in the opening 12 minutes, burrowing his way over the stripe. Five-eighth Bailey Hayward held a 100 percent conversion rate off the tee as he Bulldogs led 18-0 early.

An error from Canterbury-Bankstown finally gave the Magpies good attacking position which they capitalised on, when fullback Junior Tupou skipped around some outside defenders to score their first try in the 20th minute.

The Bulldogs soon regained the ascendency, dominating proceedings and keeping the Magpies deep in their own half. It paid off in the 32nd minute when Bailey Hayward threw a looping cut-out ball for Isaac Lumelumeto score in the corner.

The Bulldogs finished off their great first half performance with halfback and captain Bailey Biondi-Odo kicking for himself and regathering the ball to plunge over next to the posts. The home side ran into the sheds at 30-4 in front.

The Magpies produced first points in the second half with James Roberts scoring in the corner and reducing the deficit to 22. Yet the try was immediately negated when Biondi-Odo laid on a lovely flick pass to Matt Dufty, who finished off his own line-break to cross for his second four-pointer of the afternoon.

The next tries went to the opposing wingers of either side, Jayden Okunbor and Junior Pauga – both showing off their athletic ability on the end of some well-worked backline movements.

Despite the Magpies’ defence improving as the game wore on, the Bulldogs still managed to cross for the final try of the day, with Reece Hoffman scoring after a break by Samuel Hughes. Bailey Hayward made it eight from eight conversions to bring the final score-line to 48-12.

Talking points

The combination of Bailey Biondi-Odo and Matt Dufty proved to be lethal in today’s game.  Both players had a hand in almost every attacking play and scored three tries between them, highlighting why the Canterbury-Bankstown side are a force to be reckoned with in the back end of the season.

Key moment

While the Bulldogs scored multiple long-range tries throughout the match, the pick of the bunch came in the 52nd minute. Coming off the back of a Magpies try early in the second half, the Bulldogs consolidated their attack and eventually cracked the defensive line with Matt Dufty sprinting through untouched.

The nifty fullback then linked up with Biondi-Odo who looked to certain for a try, but flicked the ball back inside with cover defence closing in for Dufty to score.

What’s next?

Following the week off for Representative Round, the Bulldogs will be looking to continue their form when they take on fellow top four contender the Newtown Jets on Saturday. Also on the Saturday, the Magpies will hope to bounce back when they face the Newcastle Knights. 

Mounties v St George Illawarra Dragons

Mounties field goal the difference in 81-point try-fest

Anthony Eltarraf

Game summary

Mounties hosted the St George Illawarra Dragons at Aubrey Keech Reserve on Sunday afternoon, securing a 41-40 victory over the Red V in a 14-try thriller.

Mounties started the game strongly with five-eighth Brad Abbey opening the scoring, crashing over the line to give his side an early six-point lead.

The home side’s lead was soon doubled when Dane Aukafolau crossed for his fourth try of the season.

A dramatic momentum shift saw the Dragons follow up with five unanswered tries in just 12 minutes, with the spine stepping up and leading the way for the visitors. They included two tries to halfback Jayden Sullivan who burst through holes on both occasions, a try to five-eighth Zach Herring who sliced through in similar fashion, and another for star fullback Tyrell Sloan when he strolled downfield after another Dragons line-break.

The fifth try came through Poasa Faamausili, who barged his way over the line after a quick play-the-ball to give the Dragons a 28-10 lead.

With just a few minutes remaining in the half, Mounties responded to the Dragons’ rapid fire scoring with a try for interchange forward Mitchell Butfield, before adding another to their tally through Tui Katoa. The try brought the halftime deficit to 28-22.

Momentum swung back and forth throughout the game, but the Dragons pulled it back their way again by scoring from the first set of the second half through back-rower Jackson Ford, dotting down near the posts.

With Mounties desperate for tries, winger Watson Heleta stepped up to score two in four minutes, showcasing his strength and agility to get over the line and plant the ball down.

The Dragons appeared to have secured the win after Zach Herring scored his second try of the afternoon. However Mounties levelled the game yet again after Ben Seufale scored what was the 14th try of the game.

Both sides had kicked six from seven conversions to lock the scores at 40-all, but with two minutes remaining Brad Abbey slotted a field goal to secure Mounties one-point victory in a thrilling contest at Aubrey Keech Reserve.

Talking points

Despite the outstanding attack on show, both sides struggled in defensively to concede seven tries apiece. The two teams will need to improve in that area if they are to match it with those higher up the table.

Brad Abbey led Mounties to victory against the Dragons in the unfamiliar five-eighth role, remaining vocal throughout the game on top of scoring a try and kicking the match-winning field goal.

Key moment

With two minutes remaining, good game management by Mounties’ halves allowed Brad Abbey a quality opportunity to decide the game, and he took it with both hands to secure the win off the boot.

What’s next?

Mounties face the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles in Round 16, while the Dragons host the Raiders in what promises to be an entertaining matchup.

Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles v South Sydney Rabbitohs

Hodge triple helps Rabbitohs to third straight win

Jason Hosken

Game summary

South Sydney Rabbitohs were made to work hard in the first half before taking command to secure a comfortable 38-12 win over the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles at H.E. Laybutt Field on Sunday afternoon.

Last-placed Blacktown held their own in an end-to-end first half to trail their more-fancied opponents by only four points at half-time. But South Sydney, still in the race for top spot, dominated after the break to cruise home on the back of five unanswered tries.

A fourth-minute penalty gave Souths their first attacking opportunity and five-eighth Jack Campagnolo and Jacob Gagai quickly combined to put winger Cody Hodge over untouched. Isaiah Tass landed the conversion from the sideline to give Souths a 6-0 lead.

Blacktown muscled their way upfield and levelled the scores in the ninth minute after playmaker Kaeo Weekes and fullback Jake Toby exchanged passes for winger Steven Taupau Sako to cross in what was a replica of the Rabbitohs’ opening try.

Despite just two wins for the season, Blacktown were holding their own and hit the front when Alfred Smalley latched on to a long ball from Toby for the Workers second four-pointer of the day.

But the lead was short lived with a try to former Origin winger Josh Mansour locking the scores up again. Hodge bagged his double two minutes before the break to give Souths a 16-12 lead and they were never headed after that.

A six again call straight after the resumption was enough for Souths to open the floodgates for a third straight victory. Tass made short work of Blacktown’s left edge and converted his own try for a 20-12 lead. 

Campagnolo also had a field day tormenting the Workers’ edges and his cut-out ball gifted Hodge his hat-trick in the 50th minute.

Gagai powered over seven minutes later, extending the margin to 28-12. When Smalley was sin binned with a little over ten minutes to play, Blacktown struggled to keep their heads above water and the Rabbitohs raced in another two including a double to Mansour.

Talking points 

Having won seven of their past nine, Souths are now one of six teams in a logjam within striking distance of top spot. With today’s win - their second over Blacktown inside two months - the Rabbitohs jump to fifth spot and only one win behind the ladder-leading Panthers.

Tass and Richard Kennar were powerhouses on either edge for the Rabbitohs with both centres regularly breaking the line and paving the way for five tries for their wingers.

Key moment 

Locked at 12-all after 35 minutes, Blacktown were on track to enter the sheds on equal terms until they were forced to defend repeat sets on their own goal line. When Gagai and Kennar set up Hodge’s second try, the Rabbitohs were off and running. 

What’s next?

With the Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues back in action next weekend The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup takes a break. Souths return the following Saturday in a Round 16 clash with Parramatta Eels at Accor Stadium while Blacktown are back at home against Mounties on Sunday week.