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

Panthers cruise to victory over Raiders

Tayla Micallef - Panthers Media

Penrith Panthers are back in the winner’s circle after a 24-16 victory against the Canberra Raiders in Round Five of The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup.

A one-on-one strip from five-eighth Kurt Falls gifted the Panthers an opportunity early in the match. Prop Liam Henry found the line in the second minute, pushing through defenders to cross for the first four-pointer. Falls added the two points.

The visitors hit back on their next set, with five-eighth Joshua James regathering the ball off a fifth-tackle kick, passing to centre Semi Valemei who crossed over in the corner. Raiders captain Jarrod Croker successfully converted from the sideline to level the scores at six-all.

Panthers hooker Luke Sommerton put his team in front in the 31st minute, diving from dummy-half to score next to the posts. Falls’ conversion was successful, extending the lead back to six points.

A line-break from Sommerton off the kick-off saw the hooker race 30 metres downfield. The Panthers used the quick play-the-ball to their advantage, shifting the ball to the right to winger Tom Jenkins, who stepped past defenders to score. 

Penrith remained 16-6 ahead at the halftime break.

The Panthers found their feet in the 60th minute with centre Jack Cole chasing through on a last-tackle kick, regathering the ball on the bounce for his side's fourth try.

Back on the attack, the Raiders tested the Panthers on every play. Fullback Chevy Stewart found a hole in the defensive line late in the set, stepping through defenders to crash over under the posts. Croker’s conversion was successful, closing the margin to 10 points at 22-12.

The Raiders scored more points after the kick-off, with a line-break on tackle three which saw the opposition only 30 metres out from the try-line. Canberra quickly passed the ball out to the right with Valemei scoring his second try of the day, bringing the score to 22-16.

With 10 minutes remaining, a penalty was awarded to Penrith from 20 metres out. They opted for the two points, with Falls successfully converting to extend the lead to 24-16.

Newtown Jets v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

Late Wilson try secures hard-fought Bulldogs win

Anthony Eltarraf

Game summary

The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs scored a huge victory over the second-placed Newtown Jets, holding on to secure a 16-6 win and remain at top of the table in The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup.

Despite the wet weather both teams played exciting footy, but it was the Bulldogs who finally broke the deadlock after 33 minutes to score the only points of the first half.

Jeral Skelton caught the ball from a right-side shift with very little options in front of him, forcing his way down the touchline to score and giving his side a 4-0 lead at halftime.

After soaking up some pressure from the Jets’ attack, the visitors marched down the field before drawing a penalty which allowed them to extend their lead to a converted try.

Bulldogs hooker Brandon Clarke followed up with the second try of the afternoon, spotting a chance from dummy-half and converting it into four points.

With errors creeping into the Bulldogs’ game, the Jets mounted pressure again and finally cracked the opposition with a grubber kick, pounced on by centre Jacob Gagan for the try. Niwhai Puru successfully converted to bring his side within six points with five minutes remaining.

A desperate Jets side looked to throw the ball around to level the game, but a long pass found the grass before Bulldogs winger Blake Wilson picked up the ball and raced away to seal the 16-6 victory at Henson Park.

Talking points

Neither team looked like shying away from enterprising football in tough conditions, with the Bulldogs just too clinical in key moments.

Jeral Skelton is continuing to prove a handful for his opposition, scoring his fifth try in four appearances for the Bulldogs this season.

Canterbury-Bankstown’s defence was almost unbreakable, scrambling well from start to finish and only conceding late in the game from a kick.

Key moment

With momentum swinging the way of the Jets, the Bulldogs were desperately holding on until an explosive Blake Wilson collected a loose ball and ran away to score for the Bulldogs, securing the win in the end.

What’s next?

The Jets get have a bye following their defeat, while the Bulldogs host the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the traditional Good Friday clash at Accor Stadium.

St George Illawarra Dragons v Parramatta Eels

Dragons and Eels share the spoils in Round Five encounter

Russ Haylock

Game summary

Nothing could separate the St George-Illawarra Dragons and the Parramatta Eels in Round Five of the Knock-On Effect NSW Cup, playing out a gripping 26-all draw at WIN Stadium.

A try to Eels winger Haze Dunster with just seconds left on the clock gave Jordan Rankin a chance to clinch a win with a sideline conversion, but his attempt was waved away.

The score was locked up at 22-all in the last 10 minutes, and with five minutes to go the Dragons kicked a penalty goal to go two points in front. They then opted to kick for goal again after another penalty in the 78^th minute, putting them up by four.

This gave the Eels one more chance, and after regaining the ball from a short kick-off, halfback Jake Arthur was able to thread a grubber kick through for Dunster to score out wide. 

The Eels led 12-6 at halftime and looked the better of the two teams early on, but it was the Dragons who began the scoring in the third minute as hooker Connor Muhleisen burrowed over from close range. Alexander Lobb converted to give the Dragons a 6-0 advantage.

A try to Jake Arthur saw the Eels hit back quickly, with the halfback taking on the line and scoring on the right edge. Halves partner Jordan Rankin converted to level the scores at 6-6 after 15 minutes.

Soon afterwards Jack Murchie was introduced and scored the first of his two tries to push the score out to 12-6.

The Dragons put on a point-scoring blitz after halftime, going over for three tries after the break to lead 22-12 with just under 30 minutes remaining.

Dragons five-eighth Zach Herring put a charging Jaiyden Hunt over with a short ball in the 43^rd minute, and later set up both Lobb and Sione Finau to score – extending the lead to 10 points.

Parramatta fought back with a try from close range to Murchie, who was a late inclusion for the Eels. Zac Cini then scored in the 69^th minute off the back of an Arthur kick to level the scores at 22-all.

It was then Lobb’s two penalty goals and Dunster’s late heroics that brought the score to 26-all, in what was a fair result for an entertaining game of football.

Talking points

Fullbacks Isaac Lumelume and Treigh Stewart frustrated their opponents in defence throughout the game.

Dragons lacked composure in first half but hit their straps in the second to score three quick tries.

New recruit Viliami Fifita brought plenty of energy from the bench for the Dragons, taking strong carries and looking to offload where possible.

Several chances to gain a winning lead presented themselves later in the match, but the two sides were unable to take advantage.

Key moment

Haze Dunster’s last-minute try meant the Eels came away with a competition point from the match, leaving the Dragons without a win this season.

What’s next?

The Dragons are at home next Saturday against the North Sydney Bears, while the Eels take on the Western Suburbs Magpies at Accor Stadium on Easter Monday.

Western Suburbs Magpies v Warriors

Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles v Newcastle Knights

Sea Eagles get their first win of the season with strong display

Alex Hrissis

Game summary

Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles hosted the Newcastle Knights at HE Laybutt Field on Sunday afternoon where they prevailed over the rainy conditions to secure their first win of the season, defeating the Knights 36-6.

Blacktown Workers got the ball rolling early when they forced an error from the Knights to gain the ball on the 10-metre line and a slick pass from Jake Toby found Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega who barged over the Knights defence to make it 4-0.

The home side doubled their lead when they found themselves within the Knight’s 10-metre line yet again and Dean Matterson played the ball to Joshua Stuckey who found a gap in the defence and crashed over to bag himself a try. Fullback Jake Toby converted to make it 10-0.

The traveling Knights bounced back midway through the first half when some quick and precise passing along the left edge found winger David Armstrong who dived into the corner to secure his team’s first points of the afternoon.

A late penalty goal for the Sea Eagles in the last ten minutes of the first half extended their lead to 12-6 heading into halftime.

The Sea Eagles extended their lead over the Knights in the second half when Matterson and Stuckey showed their chemistry once again when they combined for a try of similar fashion to make the score 16-6.

The home side piled on the misery at Blacktown when a short dropout from Newcastle backfired and Clayton Faulalo capitalized on the error, picked up the ball and sprinted to the corner where he scored with ease.

The Sea Eagles extended their lead even further when Toafofoa Sipley produced a smart play where he eyed a tiny gap in the Knights’ defence and dived over to score straight from the ruck. Toby converted the try directly between the posts to make the score 28-6.

Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega secured his second try of the afternoon when he bolted through the line with blistering pace to score comfortably following a quick ball from rising hooker Gordon Chan Kum Tong.

Talking points

Scrappy and old school defence was the theme of the first half as both sides failed to create many attacking chances in the harsh weather conditions at Blacktown.

The injection of NRL veteran Aaron Woods into this match was crucial, with his experience steadying this forward pack as they secured their first win of the season.

Big performances from rising forwards Sipley and Stuckey will give first grade coach Anthony Seibold some selection headaches as he prepares for their Round 6 clash against premiers Penrith.

Key moment

Dean Matterson’s switch from the back row to five eighth proved effective for Blacktown as some fine playmaking helped steer them towards the win where he set up two tries.

What’s next?

In Round 6 of The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles will head over to Penrith to face off against the Panthers on Saturday afternoon, while the Newcastle Knights will host the New Zealand Warriors on Sunday afternoon.

Sydney Roosters v North Sydney Bears