Live Coverage | The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup - Round 10

Taaffe brings the magic to North Sydney in Rabbitohs’ comeback win

Mitchell Roese

Game summary

South Sydney Rabbitohs’ fullback Blake Taaffe had a day out at North Sydney Oval in his side’s 28-26 victory over the Sydney Roosters in Round 10 of The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup.

It only took the Roosters their first set to open the scoring. Off the back of a penalty, a quick shift on the right edge and an offload from Nathan Brown found Siua Wong in open space, who flicked a pass for winger Allan Fitzgibbon to crash over in the corner.

Shortly after the Rabbitohs went on the attack to no avail. Then the Roosters had no issues getting back to the other end, before a long ball from five-eighth Joseph Taipari gave winger Jade Anderson room to move down the sideline for another four-pointer.

Trailing 10-0, Souths eventually gained momentum, scoring two quick tries. First it was a desperation play from winger Tom Carr, batting the ball back from beyond the dead-ball line for Peter Mamouzelos to sweep up the loose ball and score. The second came from Richard Kennar when he barnstormed his way through the Roosters’ line to put the Bunnies in front.

The Roosters took advantage of an error from the Rabbitohs, with captain Sandon Smith throwing a short ball to Siua Wong, beating Blake Taaffe to get over the try-line.

Taaffe would get his revenge minutes later by using his pace to split the Roosters’ left edge and outpace Smith, taking the score-line to 16-all at halftime.

Early in the second half Roosters hooker Tyler Moriarity’s acceleration led to Wong again in open space. Sandon Smith then double-pumped and threw short to halfback Coby Thomas for the try.

Rabbitohs held most of the possession thereafter, though ill-discipline and unstructured play left points begging. At the Roosters’ next opportunity Jade Anderson was able to his size to muscle over in the corner for a double.

South Sydney hit back straight after, with Taaffe again crossing over at pace, converting his own try to bring the deficit to four points.

On the cusp of breaking their three-game losing streak, a turnover from the Roosters saw the Rabbitohs advance downfield, with Taaffe supporting through a gap and putting Mamouzelos over under the posts in the 76^th minute. The try gave the No.9 his double and South Sydney the eventual win.

Talking points

Taaffe was clinical in his side’s comeback victory, scoring 16 of the Rabbitohs’ 28 points with two tries, four conversions and an assist for the matchwinner.

Siua Wong was involved in everything for the Roosters. A try, try assist and plenty of run metres made him hard to handle for the South Sydney defence.

The Roosters have now suffered four consecutive defeats with today’s results, while the Rabbitohs now have two wins from their past four matches.

Key moment

Taaffe’s experience came to the fore when his side needed it most, racing up in support in the game’s dying stages before sending Mamouzelos under the posts in the 76^th minute to steal the win.

What’s next?

South Sydney will look to improve their ladder position when they take on Western Suburbs Magpies in a week’s time. The Roosters face a tough task next Friday when they venture west to play Penrith Panthers.

North Sydney Bears v Warriors

Bears topple ladder-leaders Warriors in front of home faithful

Mitchell Roese

Game summary

North Sydney Bears put on a spectacular performance in front of their home crowd in Round 10, defeating competition leaders the Warriors 30-12 in a top-four clash.

The Bears got scoring underway at North Sydney Oval as Ben Stevanovic switched back to the short side, with some quick hands finding Junior Pauga to plant the ball in the right corner.  

Then a silky backline play on the other edge saw winger William Fakataoumafi score the Bears’ second.

The third try came when Stevanovic provided the pass for Toa Mata’afa to break through the defence and score. Jesse Marschke slotted the conversion from the sideline, his first for the match.

The Warriors finally put points on the board through Rocco Berry in the 31^st minute.

The Bears struck back through their strike duo of Stevanovic and Pauga for the winger to grab a double on the stroke of halftime, 18-6 the score-line.

It took the visitors just over three minutes to respond, with Rocco Berry stepping back inside and flying past to score 15 metres in from touch. Ronald Volkman converted to remain 100 percent for the match.

The Warriors edge defence improved from the second half, but it was the middle defence that began to tire. Close to the line, Bears forward Fletcher Baker crashed over under the posts to stretch the lead to two converted tries.

The visitors had half a chance 20 metres out from the line, but it went back the other way when Mata’afa scooping up the loose ball to run the length of the field.

Talking points

The North Sydney back five continued their strong form, with five of six Bears tries coming from their edge attackers (Pauga two, Mata’afa two, Fakatatoumafi one).

The Bears’ Round 10 win marks two victories against the Warriors for 2023.

Key moment

North Sydney’s scramble defence after a quick changeover showed their desperation and will to win. When Warriors five-eighth Eiden Ackland made a break downfield following a Bears error, he was met by a host of Bears defenders in a true showing of their efforts.

What’s next?

The victory boosts North Sydney into first place on The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup ladder, who have a bye in Round 11. The Warriors have another top-four clash when they take on Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at Belmore Sports Ground on Saturday.

Parramatta Eels v Western Suburbs Magpies

Pranav Harish

Game summary

Parramatta Eels have held on to beat the Western Suburbs Magpies 32-30 in a closely-fought contest in Round 10 of The Knock-On-Effect NSW Cup.

The game went down to the wire with the Magpies having a chance to put on a try in the final sixty seconds but the blue and gold managed to hang on for a thrilling win.

Magpies centre Triston Reilly raced away to score the opening try of the match after a pass from Eels halfback Jake Arthur missed its mark

The Eels looked flat for the opening ten minutes, after conceding too many penalties and rushing passes in attack. They eventually settled into a rhythm and hit back through a try to winger Isaac Lumelume to lock the scores at 4-all.

Eels back-rower Jack Murchie scored minutes later to put his team in front after the Magpies had bene penalised for a high tackle.

Parramatta backed that up with another try to Jordan Rankin, with the Eels captain going over untouched off the back of a crisp offload from Matt Doorey. The Eels were now in control off the back of three consecutive tries to set up an 14-4 lead.

Magpies winger Livai Saukuru helped the Magpies get back on track when he scored down the southern end to reduce the deficit to 14-8.

Eels fullback Daejarn Asi took the lead back out to ten points when he scored off the back of a seven tackle set. Rankin managed to nail his first kick at goal to get the two points and put his side in front by 14 points.

The Magpies went into the sheds at halftime trailing 20-14 after Brandon Tumeth scored late to keep his side back into the contest.

The Eels scored first in the second half through centre Sean Russell with both sides starting to play some enterprising football.

Doorey was rewarded for his hard work with a try as Parramatta took control of the contest with a 32-14 lead.

Reilly bagged his second try for the afternoon as the Magpies revived their attack and the comeback was on when Manaia Cherrington burrowed his way through the defence to score meters out from the try line.

Cherrington’s try got his side within six points of the Eels before Saukuru scored again to give the Magpies hope of snatching a win but the Eels defence held.

Talking points

Cherrington made a significant difference for his side after coming off the bench in the second half. His speed and craftiness around the ruck sparked the Magpies’ resurgence in the second half and opened up space for the outside backs to put on several tries to get them back into the contest.

Key moment

Down 14-8, the Magpies had a chance to level the scores late in the first half when they created space down the Eels left edge.

Saukuru made a break and kicked the ball back in-field. The ball found Daine Laurie, but he was unable to control it.

Instead, the fullback kicked the ball dead and the Eels scored off their next attacking set to extend their lead.

What’s next?

Parramatta will be on the road next Saturday to take on the Canberra Raiders in Canberra while the Magpies will face the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Accor Stadium.

Newtown Jets v Penrith Panthers

Jets deal another blow to Panthers' title defence

Stewart Moses

Game summary

Penrith Panthers defence of The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup is derailing, with the premiers having now lost four of their last five games including a 29-16 defeat  to title contenders, Newtown Jets, in the opening Magic round game at HE Laybutt Field.

Newtown, who are now the inaugural holders of the Wilson-Blacklock Cup, will finish the round no worse than in a share of third spot on the ladder. The Panthers have now fallen further down the ladder to eighth and could finish the round outside the top eight depending on other results.

Newtown dominated territory and possession in the opening twenty minutes only to be denied by some resolute Panthers defence, but it was the turnovers in possession that ultimately proved costly for the Panthers.

Newtown five-eighth Daniel Atkinson broke the deadlock in the 26th minute after finishing off some enterprising play from the Jets. They kept the ball alive before half Niwahi Puru stepped through the line and found Atkinson in support to score behind the posts and give the Jets a deserved 6-0 lead.

Penrith had the opportunity to level the scores late in the first half, but a Luke Garner error proved costly. The Jets scored from the next set when Atkinson cut through the Panthers’ left edge defence and outsprinted Isaiah Iongi to score out wide and take a 12-0 lead into half-time.

Penrith started the second half in better fashion after a Jack Cogger grubber kick into the in-goal area was pounced upon by prop Liam Henry to reduce the deficit to 12-6.

However, lost possession proved to be Penrith’s undoing again with the Jets scoring a slick try in the corner to winger Samuel Stonestreet in the 51st minute to restore a 12-point lead.

Penrith turnovers again proved crucial in the next set when a brilliant cross-field kick resulted in a second try to Stonestreet. Mawene Hiroti landed the simple conversion to put the Jets in a commanding at 24-6.

Some back-to-back sets paved the way for Kurt Falls to find some space and step his way over for a much needed try in the 65th minute to give the Panthers some hope at 24-12.

The Panthers capitalised on a Jets mistake to edge back to within eight points with eleven minutes remaining when a quick shift right from the scrum enabled winger Tom Jenkins to step his way to the line to score out wide.

An error from the kick-off put paid to Penrith’s comeback when a deft grubber kick from Jets hooker Jayden Berrell was pounced on by Kayal Iro. Puru landed a simple field-goal in the closing seconds of play to put the final nail in the Panthers’ coffin and seal a 29-16 win.

Match Snapshot

• The match represented the inaugural clash for the Wilson-Blacklock Cup in honour of the late Ken Wilson and Ray Blacklock, stalwarts of both Penrith and Newtown clubs.

• Penrith were weakened by the loss of Jack Cole and Jesse McLean, but welcome Liam Henry and Garner as late inclusions.

• Both teams came into Magic Round needing the win, but the Panthers slide has been more sustained having lost three of their past four prior to today.

• Both teams come out of the match with potential judiciary concerns with Garner and John Faiumu, and Berrell placed on report for various incidents.

Play of the Game

Penrith missed an opportunity to score after back-rower Luke Garner came up with an error and it proved costly when Atkinson streaked away 45m to score his second try of the day to give the Jets a 12-point lead. The Panthers were playing catch-up from that point on. 

What's Next

Newtown will be shooting for back-to-back wins when they travel to 4 Pines Park to take on the improved Blacktown Workers on Sunday, while the Panthers will be looking to arrest their recent form slide when they host the Sydney Roosters at BlueBet Stadium on Friday night.

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v Canberra Raiders

Last-gasp try seals thrilling draw for Green Machine

Bethany Conlon

Match summary

Canberra Raiders lock Corey Harawira-Naera scored a try in the final minute to help force a thrilling 14-all draw against Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at HE Laybutt Stadium.

Harawira-Naera pounced on a grubber kick from Canberra halfback Brad Schneider to reduce the deficit to 14-12 with the Raiders No.7 slotting the conversion to seal a gripping encounter.

Both teams had threatened to produce a tight contest after going into it off wins in Round Nine.

The Raiders made an aggressive start after Schneider floated a cut-out pass to put winger Semi Valemei over the line in the 5th minute. Schneider’s conversion bounced off the crossbar to leave the Raiders in front 4-0.

A knock-on from Raiders fullback James Schiller paved the way for the Bulldogs to get on the scoreboard through winger, Harry Hayes. Halfback Kyle Flanagan was unable to convert leaving the scores locked up at 4-all.

Another Raiders error handed the Bulldogs possession and replacement forward Josh Kalati crashed over underneath the posts. Flanagan converted for a 10-4 lead.

Valemei grabbed a second try to cut the margin two points, but Schneider was unable to land the extras to leave the score at 10-8 in favour of the Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs took a step closer to victory after a Khaled Rajab 40/20 put his team on the attack and fullback Joash Papalii scored in the right corner to extend the lead to 14-8. Papalii took over the kicking duties but was unable to land the conversion to give the Raiders some hope.

With just seconds to go, an incredibly determined Raiders attack sent the ball to Schneider, whose laid on a kick for Harawira-Naera to score. Schneider landed the kick to salvage a draw.

Talking points

The draw kept the Bulldogs in second position while the Raiders have now moved up to fifth on the ladder.

Key moment

The perfectly-weighted grubber kick from Schneider to Harawira-Naera was a clutch play that saved the day for Green Machine.

What’s next?

The Bulldogs head home to Belmore on Saturday for a top-of-the-table clash against the Warriors, while the Raiders take on Parramatta at GIO Stadium later that evening.

Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles v St George Illawarra Dragons

Sea Eagles' late surge stuns Dragons

Alex Hrissis

Match summary

Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles hosted St George Illawarra Dragons at HE Laybutt Field on Sunday afternoon in Round 10 of The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup where the home side produced a stunning comeback to secure a 34-26 win over the Dragons.

The away side got things moving early when they found themselves dominating the Sea Eagles 10 metre line, knocking on the door with multiple repeat sets before finally breaking through when Jacob Liddle scored straight from the ruck underneath the posts.

The Dragons extended their lead thanks to a fast breakaway from Liddle who burst through multiple Sea Eagles players to fall just short of the tryline. This was followed by some slick passing along the right edge which found the hands of Alexander Lobb who dived over the tryline.

Sea Eagles finally found themselves on the scoreboard when some nice link-up play between Dean Matterson and Jacob Sykes resulted in Matterson scoring through the middle with no trouble. A missed conversion left them trailing 4-10.

St George Illawarra bounced back when Blacktown fumbled the ball and it was collected by speedster Sione Finau who broke away from the defenders and bagged himself a try.

Sea Eagles grabbed themselves a crucial try shortly before half-time when Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega found himself with the ball outside and barged through several St George Illawarra players to score his first try of the day.

The Dragons struck early after the break when second rower Dylan Egan made a break through the defense and sprinted for 20 metres before passing to Zach Herring who scored with ease to collect his second try of the season.

St George Illawarra piled on the misery at Blacktown when Liddle made a fast break through the line and found Ryan Couchman who ran with speed and made a last second pass to Treigh Stewart who dived underneath the posts. Lobb converted comfortably to put his side ahead 26-8.

Sea Eagles bounced back and secured their first points of the second half when rising fullback Kaeo Weekes found himself with the ball after some scrappy play and put in a tidy grubber kick which bounced perfectly for Clayton Faulalo to dive over the line and place his hands on the ball.

The home side made it back-to-back tries when halfback Jamie Humphreys eyed a gap in the Dragons defence and threw a tidy cut-out pass for Fletcher Myers who scored comfortably. The try was converted to make the score 26-18.

The Sea Eagles tightened the gap on the Dragons when some slick passing down the right edge found the hands of Faulalo who scored his second of the day. A missed conversion left the Sea Eagles trailing by four points.

It was one way traffic at Blacktown when speedy fullback Kaeo Weekes found a break in the defence, ran half the length of the field and easily outpaced the Dragons’ players. The conversion from Humphreys was successful as he put his side ahead with minutes on the clock.

Blacktown put the final nail in the coffin when Jackson Ferris made a break down the blind side and scored his first of the day. The subsequent successful conversion all but secured the Sea Eagles’ comeback and that they would take the two points in this contest.

Talking points

With both sides coming off losses in their last outings and languishing towards the bottom of the ladder, each was desperate for a win.

The inclusion of NRL hooker Jacob Liddle to the side provided the Dragons with some speed around the ruck, while his strong tackling provided stability in defence.

A man of the match performance from late inclusion Kaeo Weekes provided the x-factor that the Sea Eagles needed to secure the win, providing a try assist and scoring the match winner himself.

Key moment

The home side were trailing by four points with just minutes on the clock until some individual brilliance from Kaeo Weekes when he broke away from the defence and scored the match winner.

What’s next?

In Round 11 of The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup, Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles will host Newtown Jets on Sunday afternoon whilst St George Illawarra will travel up the freeway to face off against Newcastle Knights.