Recap | The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup - Round 22

Successful return for Metcalf in Warriors' big win

Richard Becht & photosport.nz, warriors.kiwi

Luke Metcalf made a successful return from his long injury layoff to help the Warriors to a big 46-10 win over Parramatta Eels in tonight’s Round 22 Knock-On Effect NSW Cup clash at Go Media Stadium.

Sidelined for four months after breaking his right leg in late March, the 25-year-old was heavily involved in a 40-minute stint before making a scheduled exit from the match at halftime.

He and halfback Te Maire Martin created havoc down Parramatta’s right edge as the Warriors bolted to 30-0 lead with five converted tries in the first 31 minutes.

Responding to last Friday night’s shock loss to Western Suburbs Magpies, the Warriors were in a ruthless mood as they stretched the Eels almost every time they were in possession.

Winger Motu Pasikala showed great strength as he wrestled his way over for the opening try in the ninth minute before a Paul Roache bust up the middle created a try for his captain Kalani Going 12 minutes later.

There was a double for second-rower Jacob Laban, one coming as he ran through and shook off multiple defenders, while Roache caught Parramatta out with a try from dummy-half.

The Warriors lapsed just before the break conceding a try, but were back on the scoreboard two minutes into the second half with a Taine Tuaupiki try to restore their 30-point advantage.

The Eels came back with a second try but it would be their last as the Warriors finished off the contest with Pasikala going long range for his second try, followed by Eddie Ieremia-Toeava with his side’s eighth try of the day.

The Warriors’ 12th win of the season bounced them up to 29 points and back into third spot for now.

Western Suburbs Magpies v Sydney Roosters

Roosters with big win in battle of bottom two

Stewart Moses

Game Summary

The Sydney Roosters have moved five points clear of their last-placed opponents, the Western Suburbs Magpies, after recording a much-needed and very impressive 64-6 win at a sunny Lidcombe Oval this afternoon.

Both sides came into this clash down on troops from their previous outings, particularly the Roosters missing Sandon Smith and Suia Wong. But it didn’t bother the visitors as they raced out to a 34-0 lead by halftime and were never headed in the contest.

Having defended an early penalty, the Roosters scored first off the back of their first penalty when they went from one side of the field to other with both halves, Jake Elliott and Hugo Savala, along with fullback Callum Gromek combining to send winger Tyreece Tait over in the northwest corner untouched. It gave the visitors a 4-0 lead after just five minutes of play.

The Roosters absorbed plenty of pressure from the hosts before scoring again, this time a long-range effort with back-rower Salesi Foketi breaking the line from inside his own half before putting his centre Kyron Fekitoa on an uninterrupted run to score behind the posts. Savala had the easiest of conversions to push the Roosters’ lead out to 10 after 19 minutes.

The Roosters scored again soon after off the back of several repeat sets, when Elliott jinked and stepped his way through the heart of the Magpies' defence to score underneath the posts from close range to give the visitors a commanding 16-0 lead after 22 minutes.

To make matters worse for the home side, they conceded another converted try from the ensuing set when Tait scored his second of the afternoon to give the Roosters an imposing 22-0 lead after 24 minutes of play.

Having defended another attacking raid from the Magpies, the Roosters showed some flair to attack from 10 metres out with Fekitoa bursting clear down the left touchline, before passing inside to Elliott who produced an audacious flick pass to Gromek to score behind the posts and further the lead to 28 after 29 minutes.

Off the back of another penalty, the Roosters stretched their lead to 34 just three minutes from the main break when Zach Dockar-Clay scored from close range.

It took 10 minutes of the second half for the Roosters to resume their scoring spree in the 50th minute when a quick play-the-ball enabled Dockar-Clay to burst out of dummy-half before putting Gromek into the clear to score his second try of the afternoon, to bring up 40 unanswered points for the visitors.

The Roosters swept to the right to open the Magpies' left-edge defence when Tait sprinted down the touchline before finding Tyler Moriarty backing up inside to score next to the posts in the 63rd minute, to continue the Roosters' push towards a 50-plus score-line.

The Roosters indeed brought up the half century in fairly soft fashion with a simple one off the ruck try scored by interchange forward Hayden Barton from close range giving the visitors a 52-0 lead.

From the next set more points ensued when a last-tackle kick was allowed to bounce enabling the Roosters to regather and allow Moriarty to score his second try for the day underneath the posts, extending the lead to 58-0 with five minutes remaining.

The home side finally gave their faithful something to cheer about with a 78th-minute try to Cayne Nicholas, converted by Jayden Sullivan.

Talking Points

• This match was the first time the two teams have played one another at Lidcombe Oval in the NSW Cup.
• The Roosters enjoyed a golden period midway through the first half, maintaining possession throughout to score tries in the 16th (Tait), 20th (Elliott) and 23rd minutes (Tait) to turn the game on its head.
• The 40-0 win is the first win at NSW Cup level that the Sydney Roosters have enjoyed over the Western Suburbs Magpies, since their return to the competition. The win also atones for their 44-4 loss to the Magpies just three rounds earlier.
• Sydney Roosters interchange forward Xavier Va’a was ruled out for the remainder of the game after a sickening head clash early in the second half.
• Western Suburbs interchange forward Jordan Miller was placed on report in the 68th minute.

Key Moment

The Roosters produced some stunning plays during their first-half onslaught but none better than the 90-metre effort started by Kyron Fekitoa, who found five-eighth Jake Elliott back inside who then turned the Magpies' cover defence inside-out with an audacious, reverse flick pass to put fullback Callum Gromek away for a brilliant team try.

What's Next?

The Magpies will be looking to remain in touch with the Roosters, given the latter have the bye next weekend, when they travel to Newcastle next Sunday to take on the Knights.

Newtown Jets v South Sydney Rabbitohs

Jets storm in to finals contention

Daneie Geddes

Game Summary

The Newtown Jets have fought their way to a win over the South Sydney Rabbitohs in front of a home crowd at Henson Park, with a hard-fought 38-16 result in Round 22.

The Rabbitohs had a fast start and looked like they would do it easy when Leo Te Hau found his way into the corner to open the scoring campaign for South Sydney.

They went back-to-back straight away, with Peter Mamouzelos burrowing his way to the line for a 10-point lead 14 minutes in.

Just when things looked to be running away, some defence from Newtown's Jayden Berrell was just what they needed to shift the momentum, forcing an error with South Sydney coming off their own line.

Liam Ison capitalised on the opportunity with a clever pass out to winger Siteni Taukamo for his second try from just five matches. Chris Vea’ila converted to trail by a 10-6 margin.

The home side continued to hang in and when they got their opportunity, they pounced with a Berrell flick pass to Niwhai Puru, and the Jets took the 12-10 lead with a successful Vea’ila conversion.

Newtown didn't have to wait long to score again, with a Jordan Swann offload to Berrell, who found Kristian Dixon to put them in front 18-10 right on the stroke of halftime.

A set piece from the scrum yielded more results for the Jets less than two minutes into the second half with Taukamo going in for his second try of the match to extend the Jets' lead to 22-10.

Playing with all the momentum, the Jets struck again from in front in the 50th minute with a no-look pass from Liam Ison which led to a Kristian Dixon double.

Ison, fresh off an NRL debut, was all class with his seventh try of the season just minutes later, followed by a Blake Hosking effort for a 38-10 lead.

When it seemed it would be one-way traffic, the Rabbitohs stemmed the tide with Shaquai Mitchell charging his way over the line. Hawkins added the extras to make it a 22-point ball game with only minutes left on the clock.

The Jets closed out their 13th win of the season, 38-16, to keep their finals flame flickering ahead of a huge clash against the North Sydney Bears next week.

Talking Points

• The Rabbitohs have now lost five of their past six matches, but sit five points clear of last place and will be optimistic about avoiding the wooden spoon.
• Newton's Liam Ison, fresh off an NRL debut, was all class for the Jets with his seventh try of the season and having a hand in several others.
• In just two games, the Jets' new winger Kristian Dixon has four tries.

Key Moment

Newtown's Jayden Berrell forced an error from the Rabbitohs just 15 minutes into the first half. This crucial moment provided the momentum the Jets needed to find their winning ways, leading the charge for their first points of the game.

What's Next?

Next week the Jets prepare to go head to head with ladder leaders the North Sydney Bears, while the Rabbitohs head to New Zealand to take on the Warriors.

Penrith Panthers v Newcastle Knights 

Panthers maintain touch with top five after another come from behind win over Knights

Stewart Moses 

The Penrith Panthers have kept their finals hopes alive with a come from behind 40-26 win over the Newcastle Knights at BlueBet Stadium this afternoon.

Up against a Knights side bolstered by the inclusion of Jackson Hastings and Brodie Jones, the Panthers conversely came into the game minus influential fullback Isaiah Iongi and middle forward Luron Patea.

The Knights off the back of an opening set penalty scored in just the second minute of play when ex-Panther  Tom Jenkins finished off a blind-side play to score in the south-west corner to give the visitors a 4-0 lead.

That lead was soon extended in the seventh minute when prop forward Jaxson Rehme ran an excellent line two off the ruck to score from close range next to the posts to give the visitors a very handy 10-0 lead.

The Panthers finally clicked into gear in the 16th minute when replacement fullback Sione Fonua, making his starting debut at this level, created a 3 on 2 on the Knights left edge defence, putting Sam Lane into space before the centre found lock forward Luke Sommerton on the inside to score next to the posts to trail by four with the successful conversion from Jack Cole.

A Panthers scrum 10 metres out from the Knights line, saw play shifted left where the fullback provided a floating pass for Asu Kepaoa to score in the northwest corner and with Cole’s conversion from the western touchline, the Panthers suddenly led 12-10.

Tyrone Peachey scored his tenth try of the season when the Knights right edge opened up and the veteran centre stepped his way through the line to score next to the posts from close range to extend the Panthers’ lead to eight after 26 minutes.

Penrith soon after scored their fourth unanswered try when hooker Soni Luke put Brad Schneider into space on an angled run from 20 metres out and the half was strong enough to score to push the lead out to 14 points.

The Knights scored a much needed try on the stroke of half time when a quick shift left put backrower Thomas Cant into space from 20 metres out to score out wide and with Will Pryce’s successful conversion, the Knights went into the main break with renewed confidence trailing 24-16.

The Panthers restored their 14-point advantage when winger Daeon Amituanai crashed his way over from dummy half to score out wide and with Cole’s perfect afternoon with the boot continuing the Panthers led 30-16 after 47 minutes.

The Knights continued to keep themselves in the game when lock forward Jackson Hastings provided a sublime short ball for interchange forward Clay Webb to dive over out wide and with Pryce’s conversion successful, once again the visitors trailed by eight with 25 minutes remaining.

But the Panthers once again responded with a runaway effort from Riley Wake after Brad Schnieder went to the line 30 metres out before putting Wake over for a four pointer and with Cole’s conversion, the home side led by 14.

The Panthers looked to be in a good attacking position to seal the win but instead a wayward pass was intercepted by Knights five-eighth Will Pryce who outsprinted the cover defence to score in the north-west corner to reduce the deficit to ten, despite being unable to convert his own try from the touchline.

Even with Panthers half Brad Schneider sent to the sin-bin in the 74th minute for a professional foul, the Panthers wrapped up the game when replacement winger Nick Murphy from 30 metres out scored an improbable try when it appeared he was well covered by the Knights defence to give Penrith their 14 point lead for the fourth and final time in the match, with Cole unable to convert from the eastern touchline.

Talking Points:

• The game was fullback Sione Fonua’s starting debut at NSW Cup level.
• Newcastle Knights lock forward Jackson Hastings was put on report for a dangerous lifting tackle on Panthers interchange forward Falefa Letoi.
• Brad Schneider was sent to the sinbin for the remainder of the game in the 74th minute for a professional foul.
• Asu Kepaoa has now scored 7 tries since making the mid-season switch to the Panthers.

Key Moment

The Panthers looked to be in some trouble early against the Knights but Sione Fonua in just his second game at this level, came up with two vital plays midway through the first half to put the Panthers into a lead they would never surrender. The first, creating a three on two situation that put Sam Lane into the clear for Luke Sommerton’s try before turning provider with a floating pass for Asu Kepaoa to score in the north-west corner in the matter of four minutes.

What's Next

The Penrith Panthers will travel to CommBank Stadium this Friday to take on local rivals the Parramatta Eels as they continue their late season push for a finals berth while two days later, The Newcastle Knights play hosts to the Western Suburbs Magpies.

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v Canberra Raiders

Bulldogs Take Down Second Placed Raiders at Belmore

Ella Mullins

Game Summary

The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have secured a 22-12 win on home soil against the Canberra Raiders at Belmore on Sunday afternoon.

The Bulldogs struck first taking advantage of a broken Raiders defence. Johnathan Sua darted down the left edge to score just next to the posts – Eli Clark successfully converted (6-0).

The Raiders levelled the score, sending the ball down the left side of the field through back rower Noah Martin who scored the Raiders first four pointer of the day (6-all).  

A show and go from Drew Hutchinson diverted the Raiders long enough for the five-eighth to score his side’s second try extending his sides lead out to four (10-6).

The Raiders started the second half strong, taking the lead in the opening two minutes of the second forty through Jordan Martin who pushed his way to the try line (12-10).

The lead changed for the final time in the match in the 51st minute when Hutchison passed the ball back on his inside shoulder to back rower Lachlan Vale who scored (16-12).

Hutchison bagged his second try of the day stepping his way through the defensive line to score (22-12).

The final minutes delivered some tough blows, including minor injuries for both squads. After a penalty was conceded, the Bulldogs opted to take the two, but Clark’s kick was just short on the siren.

Talking Points

• Both squads had a HIA each following heavy tackles.
• Drew Hutchison and Noah Martin were the top performing players for the respective sides.
• The Bulldogs marked their second win against the Raiders this season.

Key Moments

• Drew Hutchison’s double and consistency during this match up was an outstanding display of athleticism. Hutchison had a hand in most of the plays and was undeniably a key contributor to the Bulldogs win against the second-placed Raiders.
• Despite the Raiders falling short, Jordan Martin’s opening try for the second half set the tone for a fantastic 40 minutes. Martin left no time to waste in his attempt to take control of the scoreboard.

What’s Next

The Raiders will return home to GIO Stadium in Canberra to host the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles for Saturday night footy. The Bulldogs will venture to St George Dragons territory for an evening show down at Jubilee Stadium.

North Sydney Bears v St George Illawarra Dragons

Dragons stay in finals contention after scorching Bears

Sam Kosack 

Game Summary

The St-George Illawarra Dragons have produced one of the upsets of the season, defeating the first-placed North Sydney Bears 32-20 in North Sydney. 

The Dragons started hot, running out to a 26-0 halftime lead, before the Bears mounted a brave comeback, only to be denied late - keeping the Dragons in finals contention. 

Dragons’ centre Benjamin Johnson opened the scoring in the 11th minute. Sharp ball movement across the field put Johnson in a 2-on-1 overlap, and with Sua Faalogo, playing wing, stuck in two minds, Johnson opted to run, giving St George an early four-point lead.  

Experienced NRL players Jack Bird and Mikaele Ravalawa lined up for the Dragons’ second try six minutes later. Boasting 252 NRL games between them, Bird’s pinpoint pass put Ravalawa one-on-one with the much smaller man in Faalogo, powering his way over for a 10-nil lead. 

Johnson grabbed his second try in the 21st minute to continue the blistering start of the Dragons’ right side. Jonah Glover successfully converted for a 16-0 scoreline.

Not to be left out, the Dragons’ left side combined for St George’s fourth try in 25 minutes. Savelio Tamale added to his league-leading line break tally, making a break from his own half, before two inside passes found Jonah Glover, who scored despite a number of scrambling Bears’ defenders. 

A strong shot on Jake Toby led to an error from the Bears’ fullback, ultimately leading to the Dragons’ fifth try of the half. Quick thinking by St-George captain Dan Russell saw the ball spread wide to Tamale, who muscled his way over for a 26-0 half-time score. 

The Bears had to be first to score after the break, and a high IQ play from Kieran Heyman would ensure they were. On the last tackle, the league’s leading point scorer took on the short side from dummy half, kicking for himself and regathering to reduce the Dragons’ lead to 20.

The lead would be cut again six minutes later, when Sua Faalogo’s dangerous speed created half a chance. Faalogo snuck his head through, throwing an offload to winger Tuipulotu Katoa who sprinted downfield, overpowering multiple defenders before scoring. Heyman converted for a 26-12 scoreline. 

As the North Sydney crowd grew in belief, so did the Bears, with lock Ben Talty shrugging off two tackles from Dragons’ middles to score under the posts; the lead now cut to eight with 18 minutes remaining

A penalty for a late shot 20 metres out from the Dragons’ own line allowed Kieran Heyman to reduce the deficit to six as the game entered the final 10 minutes.

However, an early knock after the kick off gave St-George great attacking field position. Tamale crossed in the corner to put the Bears’ comeback to bed as Glover extended the lead to 12. 

Talking Points

• Jack Bird had an impressive first half at fullback. The 2015 Rookie of the Year hasn’t played fullback at NRL level since two games in 2021 but has been building form nicely in his two NSW Cup appearances at the back.  
• Tuipulotu Katoa was placed on report late in the second half for a high tackle. 
  Savelio Tamale was dominant on his wing, scoring two tries and a line break that set up another. 

Key Moment

Savelio Tamale’s try with five minutes remaining ultimately ended the Bears’ unlikely comeback. The try and subsequent conversation gave the Dragons a two try lead; a big enough margin to hold off any last ditch attempts from the Bears.

What’s Next

The Dragons return home to take on the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in a clash with serious ramifications on the make-up of finals. 

The Bears return to North Sydney Oval, looking to re-extend their lead at the top, taking on the third-placed Newtown Jets.