Recap | The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup - Round 13

Knights turn four-point lead into convincing win over Bulldogs

Mason Cernoy

Game Summary

Hat-tricks to Newcastle centre Kyle McCarthy and Canterbury-Bankstown winger Jonathan Sua along with a double to another  player led to an entertaining 10-try match eventually won by the Knights 38-16 over the Bulldogs in The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup at McDonald Jones Stadium.

Considering it took 24 minutes before any points were scored, it was a fairly frenetic 56 minutes of football that produced 54 points.

In the end, the Knights snapped a three-match losing streak for their seven tries to four victory.

For the Bulldogs they tried hard to stave off their third loss in a row, especially as they fought from 20-0 down at halftime.

The opening 20 minutes of the match saw both sides come up with some good sets and attacking opportunities, but neither team was able to find polish early, with both five-eighths kicking balls out on the full.

Eventually, pressure started to mount for the Bulldogs as the Knights kept them camped on their line.

After a few attacking sets for no result, fullback Fletcher Sharpe took matters into his own hands and threw a short side cutout ball to Laitia Moceidreke for the opening points.

After that initial four-pointer, the Knights clicked into gear with right winger Fletcher Myers crossing the line before setting one up for McCarthy.

Both tries happened within five minutes and extended their lead to 14-0.

The Knights had their tails up and were doing everything at 100 kilometres an hour. After a strong set following McCarthy’s try the whole side chased a kick from 40 metres out with enough gumption to force a drop out.

In the set that followed, Will Pryce summed things up beautifully and slid a grubber through for left centre Tom Jenkins to pounce on at the stroke of halftime.

Trotting out of the sheds after the break, the Bulldogs found were down 20-0 but hadn’t ruled themselves out completely with Sua scoring in the 46th minute.

Off the back of a set restart, the Bulldogs marched all the way down the field from their own 10 metre-zone, stripped the Knights right edge for numbers, and again put Sua through in the 53rd.

They didn’t stop there scoring a near identical try in the 60th minute for Sua’s hat-trick.

Down by just four points with all the momentum and 20 minutes to play, Canterbury-Bankstown looked set to continue an impressive second half.

Looking for a fourth try assist, five-eighth Blake Taaffe attempted to chip the ball over the defensive line, but McCarthy came up with a sublime catch followed by a 90 metre run to the line to kill off the Bulldogs' momentum.

A third try for McCarthy and a second to Moceidreke and it was all over for the visitors’ revival.

Talking Points

• This was truly a game of momentum, with Newcastle scoring four consecutive tries in the first half, Canterbury-Bankstown responding with three straight of their own to start the second.
• Another three unanswered tries from Newcastle finished the game
  Fletcher Sharpe had an impressive performance, setting up the first try and being everywhere off the ball.
• The rest of Newcastle’s back five also made strong contributions, scoring all seven Knights tries.
• Second rower Thomas Cant (Newcastle) and prop Poasa Faamausili (Canterbury-Bankstown) were both amazing to watch, providing powerful runs for their respective teams.
• Blake Taaffe was the magic man for the Bulldogs, assisting in all three of their tries.

Key Moment

McCarthy’s second try was the key turning point in this match. Newcastle hadn’t looked like scoring since very early into the second half as momentum had swung to the visitors through Taaffe’s talents. But this try broke their flow and proved to be the most crucial moment in the game.

What’s Next?

Both sides will play at home next week, with the Knights hosting the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles on Sunday, and the Bulldogs playing public holiday footy against the South Sydney Rabbitohs on Monday.

South Sydney Rabbitohs v Western Suburbs Magpies 

South Sydney demolish Magpies at Redfern

Ella Mullins

Game Summary

The South Sydney Rabbitohs have secured their fourth victory for the season in torrential rain, winning 30-8 over the Western Suburbs Magpies with doubles from both Ryan Gray and Maila Aluni-Chanfoon.

The Rabbitohs were first to capitalise with hooker Ryan Gray shooting out of dummy-half, charging through Western Suburbs’ defence to find the try-line. The hooker managed to keep possession despite the wet conditions. Brent Hawkins had no trouble making the conversion, and South Sydney held a six-point lead after just three minutes.

Souths were on a streak after another try, this time from Maila Aluni-Chanfoon. The second-rower busted through a tackle finding a gap, then with an aerial manoeuvre secured his first try for the game and set up the conversion for Hawkins.

Liam Le Blanc was close to notching the third try but was denied by the Magpies.

After 20 minutes, the Magpies were finally able to put numbers on the board when James Valevatu offloaded to Noah Ryan who opted for a short kick. Solomone Saukuru launched into the air deflecting the ball backwards and finding Josh Feledy, who sprinted for the corner for his side’s first try. The conversion from Curtis Wilson was unsuccessful.

Gray had his hand in another successful set. Propelling forward after slipping on the turf, Gray’s quick thinking with a flick pass found Chase Chapman who was able to seal the try underneath the posts. Hawkins’ conversion was successful, the score 18-4 at halftime.

The Magpies were first to score in the second half. Valevatu passed a short ball to Lachlan Broederlow, finding Steven Taupau Sako who danced around the Rabbitohs’ defence to score.

Aluni-Chanfoon put the icing on the cake for the Rabbitohs. In the final tackle, he fended off three Western Suburbs players to take home a double.

A failed line drop-out from the Magpies resulted in a penalty for the Rabbitohs. With a choice to go for a try or to take the two, Souths decided against the penalty goal.

The cherry on top was Gray who snatched his second try for the match blitzing past Kit Laulilii and Bailey Hodges. Jarrett Subloo kicked the conversion, defeating the Magpies 30-8.

Talking Points

• Doubles from Gray and Aluni-Chanfoon were critical for the Rabbitohs victory. The players were the two opening try-scorers for the match and coincidentally, the last. They were each clinical to their side during this match and helped earn the much-needed two competition points.
• The Magpies did not fold to the Rabbitohs regardless of their loss. Taupau Sako was outstanding for Western Suburbs scoring their first and only try with a solo effort.

Key Moments

Back-to-back tries from Gray and Aluni-Chanfoon in the opening 15 minutes of the match set the tone for the Rabbitohs dominant victory.

What’s Next?

Next Saturday afternoon, the Magpies will host the first-placed Canberra Raiders at Lidcombe Oval. The Rabbitohs will return home to Accor Stadium to challenge the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs for an afternoon of public holiday Rugby League.

Penrith Panthers v St George-Illawarra Dragons

Dragons win four in a row as Panthers slide continues

Stewart Moses

Game Summary

The St George Illawarra Dragons’ surge up The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup ladder has continued in wet conditions at Blue Bet Stadium this afternoon, putting former competition leaders Penrith to the sword with a convincing 26-10 win.

In direct contrast to the victorious Dragons having now won four games in succession, the loss of Penrith’s was also their fourth in succession as the impact of Origin and injuries starts to put a serious drain on the club’s playing resources.

The Panthers put in an improved defensive effort in the second half, but the game was as good as gone at the main break with the visitors leading 20-0.

The Dragons weathered some early Panthers attack inside their 20 before opening the scoring in the 10^th minute when a shift right enabled prop Alex Tuitavake to offload in heavy traffic allowing his front row partner Joshua Coric to crash over next to the posts. With Glover’s easy conversion, the visitors led 6-0.

A linebreak from Tuipulotu from the restart was fully capitalised on when Glover and Tamele combined to send Ravalawa down the eastern touchline to score, putting a don’t argue on the Panthers fullback, Isaiah Iongi in the process to extend the lead to 10 three minutes later.

The Panthers enjoyed considerable possession inside the Dragons half over the next 15 minutes but were unable to take advantage. The Dragons having weathered that storm pushed the lead out to 14-0 in the 33^rd minute when a Hayden Buchanan linebreak from 35 metres out, ended with Tuipulotu evading the covering tackle of Iongi to slide over in the northwest corner.

Ill-discipline from the Panthers proved costly in the final minutes of the opening half when a smart pass from replacement hooker Haele Finau on the Panthers’ try-line enabled replacement forward Tom Freebairn to crash over next to the posts to give the visitors a commanding 20-nil lead at the main break.

Things didn’t get much easier in the second half, as the Dragons continued to assert their dominance over the home side scoring first in the 48th minute through Glover, the halfback being the beneficiary of a clever cross field kick from Ravalawa with little doing down the western touchline. With the conversion successful, the visitors blew out the lead to 26.

Hooker Billy Scott looked like he had done enough to score in the 56^th minute only to have been adjudged to have been held up over the try-line. But the hooker was at least able to provide a short pass two plays for prop Jordan Grant to crash over underneath the posts to finally open Penrith’s account, but still trailing 26-6 after Zach Lamont’s conversion.

Penrith scored again in the 64^th minute after a deft kick from five-eighth Lamont into the in-goal was pounced upon by back-rower Harry Hassett to edge the home side closer, trailing 26-10.

Despite their best efforts over the closing stages, the Panthers were unable to improve their score and the Dragons ran out comfortable winners 26-10 to move back into the top five.

Talking Points

• The onset of the representative period took its toll on both sides with several players missing.
• The Dragons came into the game having only won three previous games in NSW Cup against the Panthers.
• Penrith prop, Zac Lipowicz, was placed on report early in the first half for a dangerous tackle.

Key Moment

With nothing doing down the right side in attack, Fijian winger Mikaele Ravalawa capped a strong performance when he surprised everyone except teammate Jonah Glover with a pinpoint accurate cross field kick, taken on the full by the Dragons’ half to stroll over and score a try that would put the game beyond Penrith’s reach in the 48^th minute.

What's Next?

Next Friday night the Dragons will be looking to make it five in a row with a win over the Parramatta Eels at WIN Stadium, Wollongong. Two days later the Panthers will be looking to resurrect their early-season form when they host the North Sydney Bears at BlueBet Stadium.

Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles v North Sydney Bears 

Bears go three in a row in impressive comeback victory

Anthony Eltarraf

Game Summary

The Sea Eagles dominated the opening quarter, scoring early through winger Jaxson Paulo before his fellow winger Watson Heleta doubled the lead on the opposite edge.

The constant pressure from the home side proved too much for the Bears as five eighth Brad Abbey extended his side’s lead to 18-0.

It took 32 minutes for the Bears to open their account and finally answer back through a powerful effort from utility Jayden Yates, before halfback Ben Stevanovic brought the visitors back within a converted try just 3 minutes later. Stevanovic’s effort saw the Bears head into the sheds carrying the momentum, trailing just 18-12.

The late first half efforts from the Bears carried into the second period, with back rower Matt Stimson barging his way over on the edge before five eighth Kieran Hayman’s successful conversion attempt levelled the game at 18-a-piece.

With the final quarter of the match approaching, a backline shift saw centre Dean Ieremia dive over near the corner to give his side their first lead of the match.

Hooker Bronson Garlick then extended that lead to 10 with a clever effort from dummy half.

A consolation try in the final minute of the game came through back rower Ben Condon, whose try meant the Bears secured a hard-fought 28-22 comeback victory over the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles.

Talking Points

• Bears have now won three straight to claim second spot on the ladder.
• The Bears’ halves paring of Kieran Hayman and Ben Stevanovic led the way for the visitors’ impressive comeback.
• The Sea Eagles dominated the first 20 minutes of the game but quickly let it slip through poor discipline.

Key Moment

Bronson Garlick’s try proved to be the difference in the end for the Bears. A clever effort from the dummy half gave the away side a 28-18 lead, which ultimately proved the winner as North Sydney would come away with a 28-22 victory.

What’s Next?

The Sea Eagles travel to Newcastle next week to take on the Newcastle Knights, while the Bears are on the road again, as the face the Penrith Panthers at BlueBet Stadium.

Sydney Roosters v Warriors 

Warriors second half surge bags a win over Roosters

Daneie Geddes

Game Summary

An inspired second-half effort saw the Warriors overrun the Roosters 24-16 at Wentworth Park on Sunday afternoon.

Trailing by 10 – the Warriors set the tone with a clean line break to start the second half before going on to score three tries in the next 32 minutes.

Roosters landed first points on the board in the 24th minute, Turoa Williams electric with the ball found space on the wing, to open the door for five eighth Jack Elliot to add another one to his tally, after scoring two tries last week against the Raiders. Halfback Hugo Suvala converted, giving the Roosters a 6-0 lead.

Both teams coming off losses came out firing with tight defensive efforts.

Lightning fullback Ben Farr was strong for the Warriors. On the Roosters' side, fullback Callum Grommeck looked dangerous from kick returns, gliding his way through the defence to gain valuable meters for the home side.

Warriors Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, one of the leading tacklers in the comp, asserted his dominance on the frontline, as they successfully held off multiple close calls early on.

The momentum shifted when Farr sliced through the Roosters' defence, getting the ball out to halfback Luke Hanson, who scored with just nine minutes remaining in the first half. Motu Pasikala converted, leveling the score 6-all.

In the closing minutes of the first 40, relentless pressure on the right hand side paid off for the Roosters, sending winger Harry McKeon over the line. McKeon bagged his fifth try in just his seventh game. The Roosters converted to bring the score to 12-6 at half time.  

The Roosters didn’t waste any time in the second half scoring in the opening three minutes

. A slight fumble from the Warriors saw the ball fall into the hands of back rower Phoenix Steinwede, who capitalised on the opportunity from just meters out. Savala’s conversion fell short, leaving the Roosters with a 16-6 lead.

The Warriors were left scratching their heads as the Roosters appeared to be running away with it, however a shift in momentum around the 50 minute mark saw the Warriors fight back.

Luke Hanson sent a short ball out to centre Moala Graham-Taufa, who powered through to score and bring the Warriors back into contention. Motu Pasikala successfully converted, narrowing the gap to 16-12.

The Warriors continued their comeback with Moala Graham-Taufa bagging his second, reaching out to score off a penalty. This effort, combined with a Pasikala conversion which saw the Warriors take the lead midway through the second half.

The momentum was firmly with the Warriors as they capitalised on another opportunity down the short side. A Caleb Layman flick to winger Edward Kosi put another four on the board.

In the dying minutes, the Roosters scrambled desperately to close the gap, but their efforts fell short. The match ended with the Warriors securing a hard-fought 24-16 victory, a remarkable second-half comeback.

Talking Points

• Warriors centre Moala Graham-Taufa put the Warriors back in the game, adding eight points to the board in the second half.
• Roosters winger Harry McKeon bagged his fifth try in just his seventh game.
• ● The Warriors sit seventh on the ladder, midway through the season.

Key Moment

The Warriors were left scratching their heads as the Roosters appeared to be running away with it, but a short ball from Luke Hanson out to Moala Graham-Taufa put the Warriors back into the game in the second half.

What's Next?

The Warriors sit out Round 14 with a bye. Next Saturday the Jets host the Roosters at Henson Park, Sydney.