All the best action from Round 20 of the Jersey Flegg Cup
Rodwell and Stonestreet bag six tries in convincing win
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks defeated South Sydney Rabbitohs 40-12 in Round 20 of the Jersey Flegg Cup courtesty of four tries to Tom Rodwell and a double to his wing partner Samuel Stonestreet.
Souths managed to score first off the back of a beautiful ball from fullback Dion Teaupa that sent Deijion Leugaimafa over on the right edge. Joseph Nohra was able to convert to put his side ahead 6-0 after seven minutes.
Sharks halfback Ryan Rivett featured heavily in the win with his first crucial involvement coming by way of a floating pass which sent Rodwell over for his first try of the day. Rivett and Rodwell combined yet again 16 minutes later when Rodwell showed his finishing prowess to plant the ball down just inside the left-hand corner post.
With the Rabbitohs attacking the line four minutes later, Manaia Waitere showed plenty of skill to scoop up a grubber, beat two defenders and find Stonestreet who raced 85 metres downfield to finish a brilliant full-field effort for the home side.
Rodwell’s hat-trick came just two minutes into the second half when a nice set play saw him stroll over untouched. Rivett was able to add the two points, puting his side ahead 22-6.
South Sydney needed to be next to score to stay within striking distance and they did just that when Jaxson Rahme crept up alongside halfback Mitchell Chester, who sent him crashing over with a deft ball. Nohra was able to add the extras and Souths trailed 22-12 after 40 minutes.
Rivett was able to get one of his own when he showed up in support of his dummy-half Samuel Healey who caught the Rabbitohs defence napping from 70 metres out.
Souths eventually got one back through Leugaimafa, who scored his second although Rodwell and Stonestreet both ran in one more try to come away with a 40-16 victory.
Click here for more Jersey Flegg Cup results
Panthers win Western Sydney derby
Penrith Panthers defeated Parramatta Eels 28-12 at Kellyville Park in Round 20 to move into third position on the Jersey Flegg Cup ladder.
Panthers lock Hohepa Pura scored the first try of the match when some hard running saw off dummy half Connor Mason saw him swan dive over the line and show off his best Latrell Mitchell impersonation when celebrating with some bunny ears.
While the Panthers scored their second through centre Samuel Lane, the Eels hit back soon after when Saxon Pryke, who had been on the field for less than two minutes, stepped through four defenders to crash over underneath the posts. Corey Fenning was able to convert and the Eels then trailed 14-8 heading into the halftime break.
Eels interchange Lachlan Blackburn showed plenty of determination when he scored the first try of the second half although the Panthers were able to run away with the game when they scored three unanswered tries to Addison Williams, Keagan Russell-Smith and Pura who scores his double.
Surging Raiders bounce back to slay Dragons
Canberra Raiders have produced a strong second half to defeat St George Illawarra Dragons 28-16 in the Jersey Flegg Cup.
The Dragons shot out to an early 8-0 lead after their left edge ran rampant with Cooper Roberts and Hayden Budd the beneficiaries.
A nice cut-out ball from Raiders fullback Thomas Casey sparked a try for the Raiders first try through Kaden Williams after he backed up a line break on the inside.
Their next four-pointer was scored by Josh Billing who combined nicely with captain Noah Ryan and once Ryan converted, the Raiders led 10-8.
The Dragons kicked a penalty goal on the stroke of halftime to level the scores at 10-all and after plenty of back and forth, Billing grabbed his double in the 48th minute after linking up again with with Ryan.
The Raiders capitalised on some tired Dragons defence when Jacob Church and Casey got four-pointers of their own but the Dragons were always asking questions and were able to crack finally the Raiders defence again after 61 minutes. Centre Leonard Skelton showed plenty of strength to carry three defenders over the line and get the ball down.
