Recap | The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup - Round 19

Raiders maintain hold on second spot after surviving late Panthers comeback

Stewart Moses

Game Summary 

The Canberra Raiders have finally won at BlueBet Stadium in their fourth attempt at this level, surviving a late Panthers onslaught to hold on for a narrow 26-24 win over Penrith outfit that never gave up this afternoon, despite twice trailing by 14 points during the second half.

The Raiders were able to maintain their hold on second spot in the NSW Cup with the win, thanks in part to the key inclusions of James Schiller, Simi Sasagi and Emre Guler as well having the likes of former NSW Blues backline player, Nic Cotric to call upon.

The Raiders capitalised on a kick error from Panthers fullback Jesse McLean in the first set of the game to open the scoring with their next set, when half Mitch Henderson took an offload to barge his way over from close range and with the simple conversion from the half, the visitors had a dream 6-0 lead after just four minutes of play.

But a Raiders error compounded by conceding a penalty, enabled the home side to strike back just minutes later when a Trent Toelau grubber kick into the in-goal wasn’t dealt with by the Raiders defence and Jesse McLean was on hand to ground the ball behind the posts (6-all).

And that’s the way the score stayed for the half as both sides were guilty of making errors and conceding penalties.

A Zac Woolford dart from dummy half deep into Penrith territory ended with the Panthers conceding a crucial penalty after the siren which enabled Henderson to land the penalty goal from close to the sideline to give the visitors a slender 8-6 lead at the main break.

As they did in the first half, the Raiders scored first after just three minutes of the second half when r backrower Simi Sasagi broke into the clear from halfway down Penrith’s right edge before finding five-eighth Manaia Waitere trailing inside to score next to the posts to push the lead beyond six for the first time this afternoon (14-6).

The Raiders extended their lead even further when a clever kick into the in goal allowed James Schiller, covering at fullback for the absent Chevy Stewart, to score out wide and with Henderson maintaining a perfect afternoon with the boot at this point, the visitors shot out to a commanding 20-6 after 49 minutes.

The Panthers were back in the game with a determined effort from interchange forward Riley Price, to barge his way over from close range and with Toelau landing another simple conversion, the home side trailed 20-12 with 25 minutes remaining in the game.

The Raiders seemingly put the game beyond Penrith’s reach when ex-Panther and current Canberra skipper Hohepa Puru crashed over from close range to extend the lead back out to 14 points.

But the home side again had other ideas scoring back-to-back tries to bridge the gap to within two. The first try coming from a probing Tyrone Peachey run which saw the veteran five-eighth dive over in the south-eastern corner to trail 26-18 with nine minutes to play. Then fullback Nick Murphy finished off some enterprising last tackle ball play inside the Raiders 20 to score and with Toelau again converting, the Panthers set up a grandstand finish trailing 26-24 with three minutes to play.

However, the Raiders were able to withstand the late onslaught from the Panthers when the Panthers conceded possession with their last set of the game attempting a blind side raid down Canberra’s right edge to finish 26-24 victors.

Talking Points

• Canberra’s 20-12 win was their first in four attempts over their sixth-placed opponents at BlueBet Stadium.
• The Raiders’ win also cements their position in the top two, having won four of their last six games played.
• Both goal kickers, Mitch Henderson (5 from 5) and Trent Toelau (4 from 4) had perfect days with the boot.
• The Panthers have plenty of injury concerns with Jesse McLean, Luke Sommerton and Niko Apelu forced from the field. Sommerton failed his HIA which enabled the Panthers to activate their 18th man, David Fale.

Key Moment 

The Raiders turned a slender two-point margin into a commanding 14-point lead within a six-minute period early in the second half, with the first try in particular the result of a long-range line-break from backrower Simi Sasagi who broke through the Panthers’ right edge defence from 50m out before timing his pass beautifully to find five-eighth Manaia Waitere backing up to score behind the posts. The Raiders were never headed from there despite a determined effort from the Panthers who stormed home late to get to within two points.

What's Next?

The Penrith Panthers will next up host the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles next Sunday at BlueBet Stadium while a day earlier, the Raiders will host the Bears at Raiders Belconnen in a 1 v 2 showdown in the Knock-On Effect NSW Cup.

Newtown Jets v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 

Jets surge into top three

Daneie Geddes

Game Summary

The Newtown Jets ran rampant against the Canterbury Bulldogs in their top four clash at Henson Park on Saturday afternoon.

Jets Liam Ison and Tuku Hau Tapuha inspired the home side to a 44-18 point win - Ison with a hat-trick while Tauphua ran in a try and two try assists.

Both sides came into the game in winning form, the Jets hoping to succeed past the Dogs into third place on the ladder - and they did just that.

Wasting no time they scored in the third minute through in-form forward Tuku Hau Tapuha to set the tone (6-0). 

Just minutes later he struck again, brushing off a tackle to break through the Bulldogs line to send Liam Ison over for his seventh try of the season (12-0). 

They then piled on more points through a Tom Rodwell kick-chase, hooker Jayden Berrell won the race giving him his first try of the season.

Niwhai Puru made it three from three, giving the Jets an 18-0 lead.

Khaled Radjab then locked in a fourth with a dummy pass to slip through the Dog’s line.

Canterbury-Bankstown finally answered back in the 31st minute with a double to change the tone.

Centre Jordan Samrani prompted the entourage with a try on the left edge, just minutes later Jonathan Sua backed it up with the help of captain Joseph O’Neill and Hayze Perham.

As the Bulldogs built momentum to narrow the deficit a costly mistake put an end to their campaign.

Puru capitalised, securing a monster penalty kick on the stroke of halftime to give the Jets a 26-12 lead.

The onslaught continued as the Jets came up with two more tries in the space of five minutes through Billy Maugoulias and Ison for his second to blow the game open, before a late try to Jeral Skelton added some respectability to the scoreline for the Bulldogs. Samrani converted, 38-18.

With less than three minutes left on the clock Ison stole the show again with a hat-trick to solidify a commanding 44-18 point victory for the Jets, sending them into the top three.

Talking points

• Try seven, eight and nine of the season from Jets fullback Liam Ison with a hat-trick.
• Niwhai Puru excellent with the boot making 7 from 7 and a penalty shot from almost 50 meters out.
• Tapuha put four points on the board and a try assist in the opening 15 minutes of then match.

Key Moment

With less than three minutes left on the clock Liam Ison stole the show for the Jets with a hat-trick to solidify the commanding 44-18 point trashing.

What’s Next?

Next week, the Jets head to Newcastle to face the Knights, while the Bulldogs look to bounce back against Parramatta.

Parramatta Eels v Warriors 

Warriors complete epic comeback to down Eels

Anthony Eltarraf

Game Summary

The New Zealand Warriors completed an epic second half comeback, scoring seven unanswered tries to defeat the Parramatta Eels, 46-28 at Lidcombe Oval.

Mohamed Alameddine opened the scoring for the Eels following a right-side shift, which saw the winger beat the opposition defender and fullback with brilliant footwork to touch down near the corner (6-0).

The hosts went back-to-back when an Ethan Sanders kick found a flying Zac Cini who beat everyone to the ball to touch down beside the posts, giving his side a 12-0 lead.

A dominant set following points saw the Eels march downfield, before Sanders broke through the Warriors’ line and freed his arm to offload to Jock Brazel who passed back on the inside to Joshua Lynn to score a third consecutive try for the home side (18-0).

It took half an hour for the Warriors to get themselves on the scoreboard with Edward Kosi finding plenty of space in front of him following an offload and scoring near the left corner. A missed conversion attempt kept the score at 18-4.

Momentum couldn’t seem to swing the Warriors’ way despite the try, and Isaac Lumelume’s powerful effort in the corner before Alameddine raced down the right edge to throw a lovely floating pass back to Ethan Sanders meant the Eels went into the sheds with a commanding 28-4 lead.

The Warriors came out firing in the second half, scoring early through fullback Setu Tu who dived over from dummy half, before Kalani Going was sent over untouched by a pin-point short ball from Zyon Maiu’u.

Just seventeen minutes into the second half, the Warriors had brought themselves within one converted try of the Eels through another dummy half effort on the left edge.

In what was an incredible turnaround, the Warriors levelled the game just after the hour mark through a crash play finished off by a barging Demetric Sifakula.

The second half was all the Warriors, and the visitors led the game for the first time after scoring just three minutes later through Luke Hanson following a line break.

The Warriors extended their lead following a Hanson kick, with Kosi retrieving the ball, offloading to Sifakula who found a final pass to his centre to score in the left corner, before a final try came through Ben Farr who scored off the back of powerful work from Sifakula.

The try secured an epic second half comeback for the Warriors, who scored an incredible 42 unanswered points to defeat the Eels 46-28.

Talking Points

• Ethan Sanders was in everything for the Eels as they dominated the first half, scoring and assisting tries, as well playing a crucial role in the lead up work to Parramatta’s tries.
• The Warriors came out a completely different side in the second half, scoring an unbelievable 42 unanswered points to complete a huge comeback victory.
• Warriors’ fullback Setu Tu and prop Demetric Sifakula were instrumental in their side’s comeback victory, demanding the ball and creating opportunities.

Key Moment

In such a dominant second half display, the Warriors’ first try which came just three minutes into the second half was crucial in kicking off their onslaught. After numerous attempts at the Eels’ line, Setu Tu finally cracked the opposition with a clever dummy half effort, scoring the first of seven tries in the second half.

What’s Next?

The Eels travel to Belmore next week to face the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs in what promises to be a thrilling Friday night clash, while the Warriors enjoy a well-earned week off with a bye.

Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles v Newcastle Knights 

Knights rewarded with gritty defensive effort

Mason Cernoy

Game Summary

After spending the majority of the first half defending their line, the Newcastle Knights scored two late tries before the break to lead 16-6, before cruising to a 26-14 victory against the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles at 4 Pines Park.

Both sides started with strong opening sets, however the Sea Eagles came up with an error in their first kick return, and the Knights didn’t waste any time getting started on the scoreboard when Riley Jones burrowed over the try-line to take a 6-0 lead.

The Knights looked like they were set to cross again in first 10 minutes until an offload went wayward and resulted in Newcastle conceding an accidental offside penalty, allowing Manly Warringah to put in an attacking kick at the end of their set. When Brock Greacen lost the ball 25 metres out from his line, it became Blacktown’s turn to attack.

The Sea Eagles also produced an early try, when Aaron Schoupp produced a great offload to Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega, who had too much speed and strength to be stopped in the corner.

With scores level 10 minutes into the contest, the match entered an arm wrestle, and for the next 20 minutes the Sea Eagles were dominating field position and applying some pressure. Tylor Bunting forced a couple of drop-outs and the Knights produced enough errors and conceded enough penalties to find themselves stuck in their own half for the majority of this 20 minute period.

Amazingly, the Knights turned the Sea Eagles away for a number of sets, who threw plenty of attack at them. They would be rewarded for this mammoth defensive effort in the final 10 minutes of the half, where they produced near identical tries on either edge. Jack Cogger created space to roam for his two centres Kyle McCarthy and Thomas Jenkins, who sucked in their opposing outside backs before flicking offloads to their wingers, Hayden Sutton and Logan Aoake, to score outside them.

The Knights finished the first half with plenty of momentum and brought it with them into the second half, when Hayden Sutton picked up his second try for the day in just the second Knights set of the half. Thomas Jenkins made a linebreak inside his 20 and glided along the sideline before finding his winger in support.

Less than five minutes later, Logan Aoake was opportunistic enough to turn Blacktown’s first attacking set of the half into more points for the Novocastrians, when Jaxson Paulo got an offload wrong, flicking it to ground. Aoake scooped up the ball and strode 90 metres to add to the tally.

Newcastle’s defence held strong over the next period of play which saw Blacktown get a few opportunities to attack, as well as a few errors from both sides.

As the Knights found themselves back on the attack later in the half, however, Aitasi James put a high shot on Greacen and was sent to the sin bin.

It seemed the Knights were going to put the Sea Eagles to the sword whilst a man down, but they dug deep and won the 10 minute period when Paulo scored off a left-side shift with a show and go on the left edge. Blacktown would produce another late try through a left-side shift five minutes later, when Dean Matterson combined with the halves, giving Brad Parker the space to square the defence and find Vaega, who crossed the stripe for his second of the afternoon.

The two late tries to Blacktown softened the blow on the score-line but it was too little, too late, with the full-time score 26-14.

Talking Points

• Riley Jones had another really strong performance for the Knights this afternoon, scoring the first try, forcing a drop-out, and being crafty around the ruck.
• The Knights scored four of their five tries in the 10 minutes either side of halftime.
• There were a few shining lights for Manly Warringah in this game. Tylor Bunting was creating plenty of opportunities for his side, Dean Matterson’s ball playing through the middle was high quality, and Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega and Asitasi James were both carrying the ball with lots of power.
• Three out of four wingers scored doubles in this match.

Key Moment

The Newcastle Knights won this match off the back of their first-half defence. The Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles had a lot of attacking ball and the Knights just kept showing up for each other in defence and turning the Sea Eagles away. The Sea Eagles would have liked to put on a try or two in this period, and when Newcastle snuck two in before halftime it gave them the momentum to carry out a great victory.

What’s Next?

The Knights welcome the Newtown Jets to McDonald Jones Stadium in Round 20, and the Sea Eagles will be off to BlueBet Stadium to take on the Penrith Panthers.

South Sydney Rabbitohs v North Sydney Bears 

Bears hold on for narrow win over Rabbitohs

Alex Hrissis

Game Summary

North Sydney Bears have kept their three-point lead at the top of the table following a gritty 20-22 win over South Sydney Rabbitohs at Coogee Oval in Round 19 of The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup.

The clash between the two foundation clubs began as an error-riddled affair. Both sides struggled to create many chances in the first half as they battled the windy conditions. The first clear-cut chance of the game came when Bears winger Allan Fitzgibbon ran for over 80 metres from his own try-line but was ultimately tackled just short of the 10-metre line.

First points of the game came from the home side following a scintillating break down the right wing from Leon Te Hau. The speedy winger was about to be dragged into touch before he launched a last-ditch kick to the middle of the field landing right into the arms of Jarrett Subloo. The five-eighth scored a comfortable try right between the posts to take a 6-0 lead.

The away side bounced back just minutes after, following a clever piece of play from Jayden Yates. The crafty lock scooped the ball up from the play-the-ball and zipped past several Rabbitohs defenders to score the Bears’ first points of the day. Kieran Hayman converted the try to level the scores at 6-6.

North Sydney scored again to make it back-to-back tries, courtesy of Yates again. The forward charged down a kick from South Sydney halfback Dion Teaupa and chased the ball downfield until he got the right bounce to catch it and score his second try of the day (12-6).

The home side bounced back right on the stroke of halftime as Teaupa threw a classy dummy and bashed his way through the defence to crash over and score with less than 10 seconds remaining, 12-10 at halftime.

The Bears didn’t take long to bounce back in the second half and extend their lead through Allan Fitzgibbon. Halfback Ben Stevanovic threw a cut-out pass to Fitzgibbon, who scored in the corner with ease for his 16th try of the season (16-10).

The away side scored another try over their local rivals to further the lead. Hayman threw a dummy and skipped past several defenders to score a classy solo try. The five-eighth converted his own try to lead 22-10.

The home side wouldn’t go down without a fight, however. Hooker Ryan Gray received the ball from a short pass and palmed off one defender before bursting past another, scoring right between the posts to give South Sydney a last-ditch chance at a result.

It was absolute mayhem at Coogee as some superb passing down the Rabbitohs’ left edge found the hands of outside back Fletcher Myers who dived in the corner to score. However, the kick was waved away, and the Bears walked away with the two points in the Grand Final rematch.

Talking Points

The Bears’ win over South Sydney further extended their position at the top of the table and made it eight wins in a row. Conversely, the loss for Souths makes it six games without a win.
It was a day to remember for North Sydney forward Jayden Yates, who scored two tries which were crucial in his side’s win.

Key Moment

South Sydney were trailing by six points with 10 seconds remaining and a sensational finish from Fletcher Myers in the last second of the game had South Sydney fans on their feet. However, an unsuccessful kick meant North Sydney came away with two competition points.

What’s Next?

In Round 20 of The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup the Rabbitohs will face rivals Sydney Roosters at Gosford, while the Bears travel to Canberra to face the Raiders.

Sydney Roosters v Western Suburbs Magpies 

Magpies thrash Roosters at Wentworth Park

Daneie Geddes

Game Summary

A combined effort from Starford To’a and Jayden Sullivan helped steer their side to a 44-4 win over the Sydney Roosters at Wentworth Park on Sunday afternoon.

The Magpies laid on the first two tries of the match through centre Declan Casey on the right edge in the seventh minute, then winger Solomon Alaimalo broke though off a quick ball to secure their second. Jayden Sullivan converted both for a 12-nil lead.

Roosters fullback Ethan King then answered back, stepping his way to the try-line off a storming run. The side failed to convert, trailing by eight.

A drop-out from the Roosters’ line was just what the Magpies needed to find their rhythm, but that came to an end after an error was forced.

Coming off the interchange bench, Magpies’ Starford To’a produced a sensational run, brushing off multiple defenders to open the door for centre Josh Feledy to step his way over the line. Heading into halftime, the try extended the Magpies’ lead 16-4.

The boot of playmaker Latu Fainu led to the Magpies’ fourth try of the contest from captain James Valevatu in the 47th minute. A successful conversion from Sullivan extended the lead 22-4.

Momentum kept building for the side as they forced a knock-on on the return, giving them the edge heading into the last 20 minutes of the game.

To’a swooped in for his second try of the match before Charbel Tasipale went over for his first.

The onslaught continued when Jayden Sullivan went in for his own try in the 67th minute and a successful conversion blew the lead out 38-4.

To’a then bagged himself a hat-trick with four minutes left on the clock to secure the 44-4 win.

Talking Points

• Although the Magpies remain at the bottom of The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup ladder, they have edged closer to the Roosters just above.
• Starford To’a bagged at hat-trick for the Magpies coming off the interchange bench. The Magpies laid on the first two tries of the match through centre Declan Casey and winger Solomon Alaimalo.
• Roosters fullback Ethan King scored a try and the only points on the board for his side.

Key Moment

Coming off the interchange bench, Pies Starford To’a produced a sensational run down the sideline, brushing off multiple defenders for Josh Feledy to step his way over the try-line. It gave the Magpies a 12-point lead heading into the break.

What’s Next?

Next week, the Magpies head to Wollongong to take on the St George Illawarra Dragons, while the Roosters prepare for their clash with the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Industree Group Stadium.