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

Cole stars as Panthers stave off determined Rabbitohs

Stewart Moses

Game Summary

Penrith have maintained an unbeaten start to their defence of The Knock On Effect NSW Cup, in holding off a fast-finishing South Sydney to record a 30-20 win at BlueBet Stadium on Thursday evening.

Centre Jack Cole was the early star for the Panthers, having scored two and set up another, as the home side went on to record their second win in as many weeks as they head into next week’s bye.

A lightning start from the home side, scoring two tries in the opening six minutes, enabled Penrith to jump out to an early 10-0 lead over a shell-shocked Rabbitohs outfit with Cole instrumental in both tries.

The Orange junior, scored the first try out wide following a penalty to the Panthers, before he turned provider for the second, putting his winger Logan Dickson away down the western touchline to score from 15m out, finishing off some wonderful second phase play.

Souths capitalised on their first real opportunity of the game, with back-rower Ethan O'Neill scoring off a deft kick from half Shannon Gardiner to narrow the gap to four after 17 minutes.

Some excellent scrambling defence from the Panthers to deny Carr from scoring in the north-west corner was rewarded minutes later when Cole scored his second of the afternoon, bamboozling the Souths left edge defence with a stepping run to score out wide from 20m out to extend Penrith's lead.

Another set of six courtesy of a penalty inside Souths’ 20, enabled fullback Isaiah Iongi to show great strength to find his way over the line to push Penrith out to a commanding 22-6 lead at the main break.

Penrith suffered a setback early in the second half, losing Dickson (leg) to injury, to which Souths were eventually able to take advantage of when Tom Carr crashed over in the south-east corner to reduce the gap to 10, following his own successful conversion from the touchline.

Souths were in again just five minutes when that man, Carr, scored again in the same corner to have the visitors suddenly trailing by just the converted try with 14 minutes remaining.

A penalty goal to Falls in the 72nd minute, seemingly gave the Panthers some breathing space once more, leading 24-16, only to give Souths another sniff with an error from the kick-off, which they duly converted into more points courtesy of a barnstorming try to back-rower Ben Lovett.

Lovett's try put the visitors back to within four points with five minutes remaining.

Penrith finally put the game to bed when hooker Luke Sommerton reached out to score a determined try from close range, right on full-time to give the home side their 30-20 win over a much-improved South Sydney outfit.

Talking Points

Souths were strengthened by the inclusion of Taane Milne, in his first competitive game since serving his suspension stemming from last season’s preliminary final.

NSW Cup leading try-scorer for 2022, Tom Carr, has continued his rich try-scoring form in 2023 since making the switch from North Sydney to South Sydney, with his second-half double against the Panthers.

On the injury front, there were plenty of concerns for the Panthers with Tom Jenkins (HIA) and Logan Dickson (leg) failing to finish the game, while Jack Cole also spent extended time off the field as well.

Key Moment

Jack Cole had Souths at sixes and sevens throughout the opening 25 minutes, exemplified by his second try.

With the Panthers attacking the Souths’ left edge defence from 20 metres, it appeared the home side had the overlap for Dickson to score, only for Cole to take matters into his own hands in spectacular fashion, putting on a stepping run that bamboozled the sliding defence to score himself.

The five-eighth come centre will soon start to earn comparisons to another ex-Penrith junior Matt Burton, who similarly made a name for himself as a centre despite his preference to play in the halves, if he continues to display such form in the coming weeks.

What's Next?

The Panthers have the bye next round while the Rabbitohs will maintain their search for their first win of the season when they take on arch-rivals the Sydney Roosters next Sunday at Wentworth Park.

Parramatta Eels v Newtown Jets

Stonestreet hat-trick seals dominant win for Jets

Anthony Eltarraf

Game Summary

The Newtown Jets today put on a masterclass to defeat the Parramatta Eels 42-12 at CommBank Stadium.

Newtown drew first blood before the 10-minute mark after a clever short ball from dummy half found Caleb Uele, who crashed over beside the post.

Jets hooker Jayden Berrell went from provider to scorer just four minutes later, after collecting a loose ball before racing away 50m to double his side’s lead.

The visitors continued their dominance after a penalty promoted them upfield and things became worse for the Eels after fullback Jordan Rankin failed to clean up a grubber in the in-goal area which paved the way for Samuel Stonestreet to dive on the loose ball and extend the Jets lead to 18-0.

The Eels finally responded with a try of their own through Toni Mataele who barged his way over the line before spinning and planting the ball down.

Parramatta reduced the deficit to 18-12 at half-time on the back of some Jake Arthur brilliance. The young halfback shaped to put a chip over the top of the Jets defence, before grubbering back on his inside for halves partner Brendan Hands to touch down between the posts.

The Jets squandered several opportunities to begin the second half, but Lebanese international Charbel Tasipale made no mistake with his chance after finishing off a right-side combination play between Jacob Gagan and Stonestreet.

Following the sin-binning of Samuel Louizou due to a professional foul, the Jets returned to an 18-point lead when a left-side shift found Josh Mansour, who beat the fullback to score his second try of the season.

The visitors attacked the right side yet again, this time scoring through Stonestreet who dived over for his second try of the match. The Jets winger then secured his hat-trick with two minutes to go, after picking up a loose pass from the hosts to race 80m downfield and seal a dominant 42-12 win.

Talking Points

The Eels didn’t make the game easy for themselves, with numerous errors and penalties conceded throughout the game, including three forward passes and a sin-binning.

Newtown’s attack was unstoppable, scoring on the left, right and down the middle as their spine controlled the game all over the pitch.

The Jets’ defence was string in the second half, with two crucial try savers from Mawene Hiroti and Kayal Iro seeing the Jets hold their lead and keep the Eels scoreless.

Key Moment

Hiroti’s try saver on Rankin early in the second half stopped a likely momentum swing and comeback for the Eels. With just one player left to beat, Rankin stepped on the inside, appearing certain to score until Hiroti threw himself at the veteran, holding him and the ball up just three metres short of the try line.

What’s Next?

The Eels go up against the Sea Eagles next week still seeking their first victory of the season, while the Jets look to make it three wins on the trot as they travel to Canberra to face the Raiders.

Sydney Roosters v Warriors

Warriors impress as Roosters suffer second straight loss 

Pranav Harish

Game Summary

Sydney Roosters have lost back-to-back games to start their season in The Knock-On-Effect NSW Cup, going down to the Warriors 30-18 at Allianz Stadium.

The tri-colours did threaten to mount a comeback late in the second half when their outside backs scored successive tries which did unsettle the Warriors.  

In the end, a lack of respect for the football and poor disciple cost the Roosters in their first game at home as the Warriors notched up two big wins to start their season.

The first try of the game came after a Roosters penalty when fullback Taine Tuaupiki scored off a brilliant no-look pass from halfback Ronald Volkman. When Volkman converted, the Warriors led 6-0.

Winger Sanele Aukusitino was next to score to take the Warriors out to a 10-0 lead.

The play was set up inside the Roosters 10-meter line when the Warriors halves combined to shift the play to the Warriors right edge, setting up the big winger to score down the eastern touchline.

The Warriors bagged their third to go up 16-0 when Farr scored not long after. The five-eighth somehow ended up on the Warriors left wing before breaking the line and muscling his way over.

Errors continued to plague the Roosters although they were able to get on the board with a try to winger Vuate Karawalevu, who went over untouched down the western touchline to give his side a much needed boost with just 10 minutes before half-time.

It would be the Warriors who put their mark on a dominant first half when hooker Freddy Lussick burrowed his way through the Roosters ruck just minutes into the second half, to give the Warriors a commanding 22-4 lead.

Skipper Michael Sio notched up the Warriors first try of the second half which took his side out to a 28-4 lead.

Volkman drew up a great play on the inside by taking the ball into the Roosters defensive line and drawing defenders out of position, to help set Sio up for his first try of the new season.

With just over 20 minutes left in the game, Karawalevu scored his second to give the Roosters a fighting chance after going over this time down the western touchline.

Fullback Ethan King scored a few minutes later as the Roosters threatened a late comeback, bringing his side within 14 points as fatigue started kicking in for the Warriors.

They paid the ultimate price as Joseph Taipari crossed over following an excellent line break by King. The fullback glided his way through the middle of the Warriors defence to help his five-eighth get on the scoreboard.

Taipari’s try reduced the deficit to just 10 at 28-18 but it would be too little too late as the Warriors put the finishing touches on the game with a penalty kick at goal by Volkman to end a great afternoon in Sydney for the visitors.

Talking Points

Warriors halfback Volkman was the difference between the two sides, continuing his red-hot round one form that led his side to a big win over Newcastle Knights.

The former Roosters playmaker came back to haunt his old side by leading the Warriors attack and having a hand in a number of Warriors tries with some sublime passing and an accurate kicking game. The young playmaker could be in for a great year for the Warriors after joining the club last year.

Key Moment

With 20 minutes to go in the first half, the Roosters had a chance to cut the deficit to six points when the home side were given a penalty after Jazz Tevaga was booked for being offside.

The Roosters then worked a nice play down the western touchline through halfback Sandon Smith and they could have given themselves a chance to score had Siua Wong not lost the ball during the set.

Errors were the Roosters achilles heel throughout the game and coach Anthony Barnes will no doubt be looking to address this ahead of their next game.

What’s Next?

The Roosters will play arch-rivals the South Sydney Rabbitohs next Sunday afternoon at Wentworth Park while the Warriors will be back at home in Auckland to take on the North Sydney Bears.

Western Suburbs Magpies v Newcastle Knights

Magpies edge past Knights in end-to-end affair

Hugo Lumb

Game Summary

The Western Suburbs Magpies have kept an unbeaten start in The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup for 2023, holding off a desperate Knights outfit to record a 31-18 victory at Leichhardt Oval.

The Knights drew first blood in the 13th minute through an Adam Clune short ball which found back-rower Thomas Cant to crash over the line.

Following the drinks break the Magpies immediately went on the attack and, in the 21st minute, Kitione Kautoga latched on to another short ball to level the scores at 6-6.

The Knights when the experienced Clune nudged a 40/20 kick down the field, laying the platform for another back-rower in Dylan Lucas to muscle his way over in the 31st minute.

Newcastle were unable to hold on to their lead for too long, however, with Wests centre Livai Saukuru burrowing his way over in the 34th minute. Halfback Brandon Wakeham converted the four-pointer to hand his side a slim 12-10 lead heading into halftime.

The Magpies started the second half how they finished the first with some explosive ball running, before reserve hooker James Valevatu dived over in the 43rd minute.

After a sin-bin against the Magpies, the Knights managed to restore the margin back to four points when centre Enari Tuala crossed in the corner in the 51st minute.

The Magpies quickly replied with James Valevatu forcing his way over for a second try in the 56th minute.

The Knights finally responded with fullback Bailey Hodgson crafting a lovely cut out ball for winger Greg Marzhew to score. Five-eighth Ryan Rivett hit the post on the conversion attempt as the Magpies led 24-18 with eight minutes remaining.

The Magpies then capitalised on great field position after a Knights error, for a cool-headed Brandon Wakeham to kick a field goal extend the margin beyond a converted try. To cap off an emphatic win, winger Junior Tupou streaked 70 metres on the last play of the game, with the Magpies remaining undefeated for 2023. 

Talking Points

As the game played out the Magpies’ big forward pack began win the physical battle, dominating the ruck and executing some aggressive tackles. This gave the outside backs the freedom to attack at the end of sets. 

The Magpies’ back three could be one to watch this year, with Israel Ogden, Junior Tupou and Jahream Bula showcasing their explosive speed and power throughout today’s game. 

Key Moment

The experience of Brandon Wakeham came to the fore after a Newcastle mistake late in the match. The halfback was able to slot a field goal off the back of strong field position, ultimately putting the result beyond doubt for Western Suburbs.  

What’s Next?

The Knights will aim to get their first win of the season when they face St George Illawarra Dragons at Ron Costello Oval on Saturday afternoon. The Magpies are looking to stay unbeaten when they face the Bulldogs at Belmore Sports Ground on Sunday afternoon.

Canberra Raiders v North Sydney Bears

St George Illawarra Dragons v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

Bulldogs show their muscle in dominant display

Patrick Staveley

Game Summary

The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs were too strong for St George Illawarra Dragons in Round Two of The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup, posting six tries in a 34-4 win.

It took 15 minutes for first points when late inclusion Blake Wilson caught a cut-out ball from Khaled Rajab to score.

Rajab was key in the second try during a quick shift from the scrum base, sending Wilson on his way again for a scintillating try.

The Dogs went long range for another try six minutes later. A quick dummy-half dart from Ryan Gray put Kurtis Morrin into a hole, who found Joash Papalii in support.

The 18-0 halftime score was quickly extended after the break when captain Jayden Okunbor strolled over, untouched, from a Bailey Hayward pass.

Centre Jeral Skelton went in for a try in the corner 20 minutes later, before Zac Montgomery cleaned up a grubber soon after to make it 34-0. A late Tautau Moga intercept 30 metres from the Bulldogs’ line was a consolation for the home side after a disappointing performance.

Talking Points

Despite taking on a Dragons outfit with more NRL experience, the younger Bulldogs side appeared much more enthusiastic.

The Bulldogs’ quick ball movement proved hard to handle for their opposition, and they were equally as effective in defence.

Key Moment

The opening try set the tone for the game and from that point the Bulldogs never looked threatened as they continued to roll on.

What’s Next?

The Dragons are at home next Saturday to host the 11th-placed Newcastle Knights. The Bulldogs will take on the second-placed Western Suburbs Magpies on Sunday.