Live Coverage | The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup - Round 20

Bulldogs secure win in return to Belmore

Alex Hrissis

Game Summary

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have moved up to third on The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup ladder following an enthralling clash with the Parramatta Eels at Belmore Sports Ground, which saw the home side win 32-22.

Bulldogs scored first in this Round 20 clash courtesy of a try from Jordi Mazzone. Rising fullback Joash Papalii started the move when he broke through the line with speed and passed the ball out to his winger who scored comfortably for first points of the night. Eli Clark slotted the conversion from out wide to lead 6-0.

Parramatta bounced back quickly through former Bulldog Isaac Lumelume. Some dangerous passing down the left edge found Daejarn Asi who passed outside to Ethan Sanders, who then found Lumelume out wide. The veteran winger dived in the corner to put his side on the scoreboard (6-4).

Canterbury-Bankstown jumped further in front with another try several minutes after. Lipoi Hopoi was fed the ball short from his rake and barged through the defence and spun over the try-line to put the ball down. Clark's conversion took the lead to 12-4.

The home side extended their lead courtesy of that dangerous combination of Papalii and Mazzone. This try was almost identical to the first as Papalii burst through the line with pace to pass the ball out to Mazzone for another comfortable try (16-4).

It was one way traffic at Belmore as the Bulldogs scored their third try on the trot through Hayze Perham. The utility threw a nice dummy as he attacked the line and burst past the defenders to dive over the try-line (20-4).

Bulldogs added another try with minutes to go until halftime when some quick movement and slick passing down the right edge found Lachlan Vale, who saw Romano Cook about to burst through the line. The hooker received the ball with ease to score a tidy try and give his team a healthy 26-4 lead heading into the sheds.

The away team came out of the sheds a new-look side as they dominated field position, possession and had several disallowed tries. However, they could not break the Bulldogs’ gritty defence as the opposition held out.

After 24 minutes of tough defence the home team eventually broke through and extended their lead. Hayze Perham made a fast break down the left edge then passed inside for Jordi Mazzone to sprint over 40 metres for a try, recording a hat-trick in the process (32-4).

Parramatta scored their second try of the night through the combination of Joshua Lynn and Isaac Lumelume. The speedy five-eighth broke through the line and passed to Lumelume, who then passed back into Lynn unmarked to score a try. Sanders coverted to trail 32-10.

The away side scored back-to-back tries for the first time in the game to tighten the scoreline. Daejarn Asi put in a tidy kick to the left of the field and the ball bounced perfectly for Sanders, who scored with ease. Sanders then converted his own try (32-16).

Parramatta scored one last try in the dying embers of the game courtesy of Joey Lussick. The veteran hooker showed his class and experience by eyeing a gap in the defence to score straight from the play-the-ball. Sanders successfully added the extra two points to trail 32-22, but the score remained until full-time.

Talking Points

• Canterbury-Bankstown shoot up to third place on the ladder following their win over Parramatta, as they look to secure a finals berth.
• Jordi Mazzone had a NSW Cup debut to remember, scoring a hat-trick in his side’s win following his promotion from the Jersey Flegg Cup.
• Ethan Sanders was a shining light for the Eels in their loss, showing off his strong kicking game, slick passing and scoring himself a try.

Key Moment

The Bulldogs established their dominance over the Eels early when they scored in just the second minute of the game through the lethal combination of Papalii and Mazzone. This set the tone for the match as the Bulldogs went on to score another four tries in the first half.

What's Next?

In Round 21 of The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup the Bulldogs will host North Sydney Bears on Saturday afternoon, while the Eels head to Henson Park to face the Newtown Jets.

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