Recap | The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup - Round 11

Warriors dominate in wet and windy start to Magic Round

Stewart Moses

Game Summary

The Penrith Panthers are in danger of surrendering top spot in The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup after their second successive defeat, this time 22-10 at the hands of the Warriors, at North Sydney Oval on Saturday.

Both sides were missing key personnel with Panthers Tyrone Peachey, Trent Toelau, Matt Eisenhuth and Brad Schneider absent from today’s clash, while the Warriors had to endure the losses of Ben Farr, Paul Roache and Zyon Maiu’u.

The opening twenty minutes was littered with errors and poor discipline with neither team able to assert any scoreboard pressure.

But with Luron Patea sent to the sin bin for repeat offences in the 14th minute, the Warriors were able to eventually take advantage, scoring opening points in the 21st minute through hooker Makaia Tafua with a quick dart from dummy-half close to the line. It gave the away side a 6-0 advantage with the conversion from Motu Pasikala.

An error from a 20-metre restart from the Panthers enabled the Warriors to extend their lead on 32 minutes when they opted to run on the last with a shift right, that allowed centre Moala Graham-Taufa to dummy outside and fool the Panthers’ defence with some quick stepping to score. Despite missing the conversion, the Warriors held a handy 10-nil lead while losing centre Sio Kali to what looked to be a serious leg injury.

With minutes before halftime, Soni Luke placed a deft kick into the in-goal and appeared to have set Penrith up for their first try, but centre David Fale was unable to ground the ball. For the first time in season 2024, the Panthers were held scoreless at the main break trailing by the 10 points.

It didn’t take long for the Panthers to open their account upon resumption in the second half, when several sets inside the Warriors 20 enabled a hit-and-spin effort one off the ruck from Ativalu Lisati. The backrower crashed over next to the posts from close range to bridge the gap to within four points with Billy Scott’s conversion after 46 minutes.

The Panthers were starting to gain ascendancy and were able to level the scores midway through the second half with a slick back-line movement, ending with winger Jesse McLean diving over in the corner.

It was the Warriors who scored next to break the deadlock through back-rower Eddie Ieremia-Toeava out wide, and with Pasikala’s conversion successful, the visitors headed into the last 10 minutes leading by six.

More errors from the Panthers in their own half proved decisive, when in the 74th minute makeshift fullback Pasikala showed amazing strength to reach out and score from close range next to the posts, despite the attention of four Penrith defenders, to seal an important 22-10 win for the Warriors.

Talking Points

- A raft of changes saw Alex Seve, Falapa Letoi and Zach Lamont play their first NSW Cup games for the Panthers.

- The Warriors came into the game against the top-ranked Panthers in sixth position, with five wins, a draw (also against the Panthers) and four losses.

- Penrith have now lost two successive games having come through the opening nine rounds undefeated. The 10-0 halftime score was the first time in season 2024 that the Panthers were held scoreless in the first half.

- The Warriors’ win over the Panthers is their fifth from 18 games played.

Key Moment

The effort of Warriors fullback Motu Pasikala to reach out and score despite the attention of at least four Penrith defenders, sealed an important win for a Warriors side that has now moved into the top five pending other results from Magic Round.

What's Next?

Next Saturday the Panthers will be looking to regain their mojo when they come up against NSW Cup rivals, Newtown Jets at Henson Park, while the Warriors will return to North Sydney Oval next Sunday when they take on the North Sydney Bears.

Canberra Raiders v St George Illawarra Dragons

Dragons hold on in Magic Round thriller

Anthony Eltarraf

Game Summary

The St George Illawarra Dragons held off a promising fightback to defeat the Canberra Raiders, 24-16 at North Sydney Oval.

The Dragons struck first when winger Sione Finau collected the loose ball following a bomb to score in the corner, before his fellow winger Savelio Tamale intercepted the ball to race away and give his side an 8-0 victory.

A third consecutive try came for the Red V through a pin-point grubber by halfback Jonah Glover for centre Benjamin Johnson.

The Raiders finally got themselves on the scoreboard right on the stroke of half time when hooker Zac Woolford’s short ball to Jake Clydsdale saw the Raiders head into the sheds trailing 14-6.

The Raiders failed to carry their first half momentum into the second period with the Dragons scoring first again, this time through a strong effort from fullback Mathew Feagai.

With the Dragons looking certain to run away with the victory, the green machine scored two tries in quick succession. Back rower Simi Sasagi got over the line off of a short ball by halfback Adam Cook before a powerful solo effort from winger James Schiller saw the Raiders come back within two points.

However, the Dragons were able to hold off the onslaught, allowing five-eighth Jesse Marschke to show his skill, faking a kick close to the line and going himself to hand his side a thrilling 24-16 victory over the Canberra Raiders.

Talking Points

- Jesse Marschke led his side around the pitch alongside Jonah Glover to secure a necessary victory for the Dragons.

- Viliami Fifita had a powerful showing this afternoon, but a poorly executed shoulder charge saw him sent to the sin bin, allowing the Raiders to score two tries and threaten a comeback victory.

- A disallowed try for the Raiders with a few minutes remaining of the game could have set up an exciting finish, however a call of offside meant the Dragons could play out the game.

Key Moment

Jesse Marschke’s solo effort on last tackle sealed the victory for the Dragons, when the five-eighth faked a kick before stepping on his inside to score the last try of the afternoon.

What’s Next?

The Raiders move on to host the Sydney Roosters at GIO Stadium next week, while the Dragons travel to Accor Stadium to face the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs on Thursday night.

North Sydney Bears v South Sydney Rabbitohs 

Bears overcome brave Rabbitohs in fiery clash

Anthony Eltarraf

Game Summary

Despite the South Sydney Rabbitohs’ late efforts, the North Sydney Bears secured a 30-20 victory in a fiery clash at North Sydney Oval this evening.

The Bears kicked off the scoring in just the second minute when a bomb that was allowed to bounce landed in the hands of halfback Ben Stevanovic, who smartly offloaded to back-rower Ben Talty to score.

North Sydney dominated the opening quarter, scoring three more unanswered tries. The first came through winger Allan Fitzgibbon who cruised over following a lovely cut-out pass from Jake Toby, before Rua Ngatikaura set Jerry Key up for a try with a grubber.

Talty then scored his second following a Jake Toby linebreak and offload.

The Rabbitohs needed a spark to get into the game and that came through a Ryan Gray grubber, with the hooker diving to plant the ball down and score. The visitors then went back-to-back with a try for centre Codey Kennedy.

With half-time looming, the hosts were able to swing momentum back their way with another Toby assist, this time a cut-out pass for his other winger Tuipulotu Katoa to take the Bears into the break leading 28-12.

It was a quiet second half from the Bears apart from a penalty goal, while the Rabbitohs were able to put two more tries past the home side.

The first try of the half came through a second for Kennedy, before winger Carson Kaho powered his way over in the corner after a flick pass from fullback Bayleigh Bentley-Hape.

It proved too little, too late for the Rabbitohs as the Bears saw the game out, securing a 30-20 victory at North Sydney Oval in Round 11.

Talking Points

- Jake Toby had another outstanding game producing a hat-trick of assists.

- The Rabbitohs didn’t look outclassed, but a failure to ice opportunities proved their downfall.

- The Bears had little trouble in attack as they constantly found space, and scored on both edges and down the middle.

Key Moment

Tui Katoa’s final try before half-time massively helped the Bears in securing their victory. Jake Toby’s third assist was another brilliant cut-out pass on the left edge, allowing Katoa to race down the sideline and force his way over just three minutes before half-time.

What’s Next?

Both sides host their respective oppositions next week, with the Bears facing the Warriors and the Rabbitohs going up against the Parramatta Eels.

Western Suburbs Magpies v Parramatta Eels

Eels power to big win over error-prone Magpies

Mitchell Roese

Game Summary

Parramatta Eels have maintained their recent run of good form in The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup after scoring a commanding 36-14 victory over the Western Suburbs Magpies at North Sydney Oval today.

A Magpies error from the kick-off handed Paramatta the first points of the match, after Ethyn Martin latched onto a loose ball to cross for the opening try.

A penalty in the ensuing set then piggybacked the blue and gold into prime attacking territory, resulting in consecutive four pointers.

Morgan Harper was given early ball down the short side, where he stepped and muscled his way through defenders for their second try in five minutes.

Wests maintained pressure for the next 15 minutes, and their persistence paid off through some precision passing.

Rueben Porter’s silky short ball put Kit Laulilii into open space before he found James Valevatu in support. The hooker then linked with fullback Curtis Wilson to streak past his opposite number and cross for their first try.

Harper’s quick thinking helped extend Parramatta’s lead in the 29th minute. The centre slid a deft grubber kick in behind the defence for Isaac Lumelume to get his hands on the ball first.

On the stroke of half-time, the Eels young halves pairing combined to further punish the Magpies.

Ethan Sanders ran the ball on the last tackle and threw an inside ball to put Joshua Lynn away. He then backed up on the inside to score and convert his try to stretch the lead to 20-4 heading into the sheds.

The Magpies were first to open the scoring in the second stanza courtesy of some hot potato and Parramatta’s inability to contain the offloading ball. Sione Vaihu powered past Joshua Lynn to charge over and reduce the deficit to 20-8.

Parramatta responded in the 56th minute, with Sanders delivering the final pass with a short ball to Matt Doorey who couldn’t be stopped close to the line.

The pair linked up again in the 63rd minute, as Sanders broke into the backfield and presented a supporting Doorey to score his second under the sticks.

Brock Parker joined the scorer’s list in the 69th minute with another runaway try thanks to some neat footwork through the ruck from interchange dummy-half Meni Luke.

A try-saver from Magpies’ Josh Feledy prevented more pain being inflicted on the black and white, before Alex Lobb raced 90 metres downfield to secure a late consolation try.

Talking Points

- Despite winning only one of their first six matches, Parramatta have rebounded with three straight victories.

- Eels halfback Ethan Sanders responded to his axing from the NRL side by scoring a try and setting uup a double for back-rower Matt Doorey.

Key Moment

Two tries inside the opening five minutes dictate the tone for the match, with errors from the Magpies keeping them on the back foot, while Parramatta took advantage of every opportunity to score points.

What’s Next?

Paramatta face South Sydney Rabbitohs on Saturday at Accor Stadium, while Western Suburbs conclude Round 12 on Sunday with their match against Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles at HE Laybutt Stadium.

Newtown Jets v Newcastle Knights 

Jets blow Knights away with second-half points blitz

Ella Mullins

Game Summary

Newtown Jets have stamped their authority over Newcastle Knights 52-12 at North Sydney Oval after a second-half masterclass helped them power away from their opponents.

The two sides were locked up at 12-all at half-time before the Jets stepped up their attack in the second half to run away with the match.

The Knights were the first team to score through fullback Fletcher Sharpe before the Jets hit back with a spectacular try.

Jets halfback Niwhai Puru sparked the play after finding space down the wing before fullback Liam Ison dodged the Knights defence with a dummy to dive over the line. Mawene Hiroti landed the easy conversion to lock the scores up at 6-all.

Jets winger Tom Rodwell made an 80-metre sprint down the field after a crucial line break, but tenacious defence from Newcastle kept the winger from notching a try.

The Jets took advantage of the shift in momentum for Brad Fearnley to score and take the lead with 12 minutes remaining in the first half.

Two consecutive six again calls for the Knights worked in their favour after Pryce delivered a cut-out pass for Laitia Moceidreke to storm towards the left corner. Pryce converted and the scores were locked up again at 12-all.

The Jets opened the second half with back-to-back tries courtesy of some silky hands and quick plays down the left wing. Hiroti landed one conversion whilst the other curved just past the post, but the Jets were on top at 22-12.

A defensive error left the Knights vulnerable and Ison scored again next to the posts and then converted his own try to extend the lead to 16 points.

Jets back-rower Billy Burns put on a big left step to secure his first try and was in again three minutes later after backing up a long-range break from Ison.

Rhys Dakin scored from a crash play in the final five minutes, before Puru brought up the half century with 20 seconds remaining to help the Jets into the top 5.

Talking Points

- Coming into the second half, the Jets switched up their spine. The tactic was a great shift for the squad coming into the last 45 minutes of game time and solidified their dominance on the field.

Key Moments

The Jets scored three tries in six minutes early in the second half to take the match away from the Knights.

What’s Next

The Newtown Jets will host top of the ladder competitors, the Penrith Panthers at Henson Park Saturday afternoon. The Newcastle Knights will play the BYE with a week off.

Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

Blacktown Stack on the Points after Strong First Half Defensive Effort

Mason Cernoy 

Game Summary

The Blacktown Workers have defeated the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs after a strong defensive effort in the first half set the Sea Eagles up for a 32-16 win over premiership heavyweights.

As a stellar weekend at the Beer Food and Footy Festival at North Sydney Oval was coming to a close, the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles and the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs marched out to play the closing match of the round.

The Dogs came out of the blocks with a strong set to open the match but conceded a penalty straight of the back of it to put the Sea Eagles on the attack.

A left side shift from the Bulldogs broke down and centre Clayton Fualalo scooped up the loose ball and ran 40 metres. After a few hit ups in the middle of the field, the Sea Eagles shifted it out left where Fualalo provided the finishing touch to put his winger, Heleta over for the first try of the match in the 9th minute.

The Bulldogs added a converted try in the 32nd minute when centre Hayze Perham found his outside man in Afualo who scored, levelling the scores at 6-all.

Blacktown were awarded a penalty right in front of the posts from 10 metres out, and acting five-eighth Jamie Humphries closed out the half with a penalty goal to take his side into the sheds with a 2-point lead.

Shortly after the second half had begun, fullback Lehi Hopoate came up with a beautiful catch on a bomb, running in, leaping up, and catching the ball with speed, allowing him to make a further 15 metres.

This absolutely rattled the Bulldogs defence, who were on the back foot all set as the Sea Eagles marched up field. Jake Arthur was the man to put the cherry on top of a great set, when he threw a floater out to Heleta for his second try of the afternoon.

In the set after points, James Uesele failed to clean up a loose pass from Humphries and the Bulldogs were awarded a scrum from 35 metres out, where they shifted the ball to winger Jeral Skelton, who showed too much speed and crossed for the Bulldogs second try of the afternoon (14-10).

Minutes later, the Sea Eagles got a brilliant attacking opportunity off the back of an aerial contest, which came off Afualo before being regathered by Blacktown.

They didn’t let this set go to waste, when Heleta was the beneficiary of a well-executed face ball and crossed for his hattrick.

Sea Eagles fullback Levi Hopoate made a massive impact on the game, when he sliced through the Canterbury defence and ran 40 metres before getting the ball off to Arthur.

The halfback summed things up beautifully, instantly shifting the ball off to halves partner Jamie Humphries, who crossed for a brilliant Blacktown Workers try, and blew the score out to a 16-point margin.

As the minutes ticked down, the Bulldogs found themselves on the attack again, when Jacob Sykes was sin-binned for dangerous contact.

Bulldogs utility Reuben Moyle came up with a brilliant charge down on Arthur’s kick which rolled straight into the in-goal area, and all he had to do was plant it down to bring the scores back to 26-16 and offer his side a glimmer of hope.

Despite the Bulldogs best efforts to steal the win, the Sea Eagles sealed the win through Levi Hopoate who ducked and weaved his way to the line to add some icing onto the cake for the Blacktown workers in the final stages of the match, resulting in a full time score of 32-16.

Talking Points:

• The Blacktown Workers halves both played a pivotal role in steering their side to victory, with Arthur coming up with some important assists, Humphries crossing for a try, and both players kicking extremely well
• It was an impressive display from the backline of Blacktown with Heleta scoring a hattrick, and Fualalo and Hopoate causing headaches for the Bulldogs’ defence every time they touched the ball
• Skelton was one of the Bulldogs best this afternoon, and was given a few opportunities to show how elusive he can be in open space

Key Moment:

Jamie Humphries' try in the 62nd minute was both the most entertaining and crucial part of the match. Seeing Levi Hopoate slice through the defence was an absolute joy for any rugby league fan to watch, and provided the Sea Eagles with a three-score lead for the first time in the match, which they eventually would finish the match with.

What’s Next?:

After all of the excitement of the Beer Food and Footy Festival, both sides will return home for round 12, with the Bulldogs hosting St George Illawarra on Thursday, and the Sea Eagles welcoming the Western Suburbs Magpies on Sunday afternoon.