Finals Week One wrap: The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup.

Panthers continue unbeaten run to Week 2, Warriors eliminated

Stewart Moses 

Game Summary 

The Penrith Panthers will continue along their sudden-death path through the Knock-On Effect Cup Finals series after defeating the NZ Warriors 24-12 at Leichhardt Oval this afternoon.

Both sides welcomed back plenty of NRL quality talent with Matt Eisenhuth and Jesse McLean returning for the Panthers while Tom Ale, Ali Leiataua and Taine Tauupiki came back into the Warriors.

A nervous start from the Warriors, losing possession in their opening set of the game enabled the Panthers to dominate possession and territory early on. The Panthers quickly found the line in the 4th minute when quick hands saw Daine Laurie set winger Asu Kepaoa up for his ninth try of the season for Penrith with a diving effort in the south-east corner to lead 4-0.

The Warriors’ efforts weren’t helped when lock forward Kalani Going was forced from the field midway through the opening half with what looked to be a shoulder / pectoral injury.

On the back of a crucial error from the Warriors, followed up by conceding a soft penalty, Penrith extended their lead in the 29th minute when they opted to run on the last tackle shifting play right inside the 20m zone, with Isaiah Iongi producing a cutout pass that allowed winger Jesse McLean to extend the lead to 8-0.

On the cusp of halftime, the Panthers made a long line-break down the Warriors right edge through backrower Mavrik Geyer only for the try-scoring opportunity to go begging when the pass went outside instead of inside to an unmarked support player, leaving Penrith ahead by eight at the main break.

Unlike the first half, it would be the Warriors who were fastest out of the blocks to open the scoring in the second half. Five-eighth Luke Hanson angled a grubber behind the Panthers line for centre Ali Leiataua to dive on the ball to score in the southwest corner. Fullback Taine Tuaupiki landed the conversion attempt from out wide to put the Warriors within two points after 49 minutes.

But another Warriors error this time from the kick-off enabled Penrith to dominate territory and possession once more and they were rewarded with a try through Daine Laurie who stepped and jinked his way to the tryline (14-6).

A line-break from Peachey deep into Warriors territory was capitalised upon on the next play with the ball shifting from one side of the field to the other with Laurie again instrumental enabling an overlap to be created with Zac Lipowicz’s pass deflecting off a Warriors hand into the waiting arms of Jesse McLean to extend the lead to 12 midway through the second half.

Another penalty and six again inside the Warriors 20 to the Panthers saw Penrith again capitalise on such opportunities when centre Casey McLean scored next to the posts, the Panthers suddenly had a commanding 24-6 lead with 17 minutes left to play.

The Warriors finally halted Penrith’s second half point scoring spree with a try in the 74th minute to Jacob Laban, after Tuaupiki’s cross-field kick rebounded into the hands of the backrower to score next to the posts, but the Panthers held on to record a 24-12 win.

Key Points:

• The 24-12 win is Penrith’s eighth unbeaten match in a row but ironically their first win of the season against the NZ Warriors, having drawn their first encounter 22-all and losing the second clash 22-10.
• The McLean brothers, Jesse and Casey scored three of Penrith’s five tries. Having scored three tries in the NRL, Casey scored his first try in the NSW Cup in nine appearances at this level.
• The Warriors’ efforts were hampered midway through the first half when lock forward Kalani Going was forced from the field with what looked to be a shoulder / pectoral injury.

Play of the Game

With the Warriors having some momentum behind them early in the second half, trailing by just two points, Daine Laurie stepped up with a try from no-where to re-establish Penrith’s eight point advantage. The Panthers would go on to score another two tries to open up a 24-6 lead after 63 minutes, but it could have been a different game had the Panthers five-eighth not scored his try.

What's Next

The Panthers will now play the loser of today’s finals match between Newtown Jets and Canberra Raiders, next Saturday again at Leichhardt Oval while its season over for the NZ Warriors who had a fine season in qualifying fourth for the finals series despite today’s loss.

Elimination Final: Newtown Jets v Canberra Raiders

Game Summary 

Newtown Jets have moved a step closer to The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup Grand Final after scoring a comfortable 38-16 win over the Canberra Raiders at Leichhardt Oval today.

The Raiders had no answers after the Jets surged to an early 26-0 lead midway through the second half. They gave themselves a chance after finally getting on the scoreboard with more than 20 minutes to go but would rue two mistakes from the kick-off that led directly to Jets tries.

Newtown, who eclipsed the Warriors in the final round 39-36 to fini9sh second, was bolstered by the inclusion of prop Brayden Hamlin-Uele and winger Samuel Stonestreet who had both been involved with NRL team Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the past few weeks.

The Jets had early momentum and took advantage of it when halfback Niwhai Puru put up a well-timed bomb for centre Chris Vea’ila to leap high above the pack before wheeling around to score. Puru added the conversion for a 6-0 lead.

Fortune favoured Newtown for the next try when a kick from hooker Jayden Berrell took a deflection off Raiders back-rower Noah Martin and bounced favourably for Jets skipper Billy Burns to pick up the scraps and score. Puru landed the conversion to extend the lead to 12-0.

The Jets went even further in front when five-eighth Khaled Rajab caught the Raiders defence on the back foot and jinked his way through before diving over the line. Puru made it three-from-three to set up a commanding 18-0 lead.

The Raiders had their chances to score in the first half, but the Jets goal-line defence held firm. The Green Machine didn’t help their cause after coming up with some handling errors in their own half to invite the Jets to score again, and they looked like they had done just that when Billy Magoulias put Zac Hosking over the line before play was called back for a forward pass.

Newtown looked like they extended their lead when play resumed after Jets replacement Samuel Healey put Magoulias over the line but again play was called back for a forward pass.

The Jets next try was a great reward for perseverance after a Raiders attacking bomb was batted back by the Green Machine but unfortunately straight into the arms of Vea’ila who jumped to compete for the ball.

Raiders fullback and NSW Men’s Under 19s Player of the Year Chevy Stewart chased valiantly but the Jets centre was able to evade his attempted tackle to grab his second try for the day. Puru landed the conversion and then a penalty goal to have the Jets well in control at 26-0.

Canberra finally got on the scoreboard on the back of a Jets mistake with five-eighth Mitch Henderson strolling over untouched. Halfback Adam Cook landed the conversion to reduce the deficit to 26-6.

With 23 minutes still to go, there was still plenty of time left for the Raiders, but the kick-off couldn’t have gone any worse for the Green Machine. After bouncing into the in-goal area, Canberra back-rower Joe Roddy attempted to run the ball out but was tackled and lost possession. Hamlin-Uele was johnny on the spot to jump on the loose ball for the easiest of tries. Puru landed the conversion to again put the Jets well on top at 32-6.

The Raiders refused to give up and closed the gap again when Jersey Flegg Cup Player of the Year Owen Pattie scored, but any joy was short-lived after the Raiders again made a mistake from the kick-off with the ball finding touch.

The Jets capitalised with Berrell putting a grubber kick for Burns to grab his second try for the day, Puru landed the conversion to extend the lead to 38-12 and ensure it would be their day.

Key points

• Newtown, who eclipsed the Warriors in the final round 39-36 to finish second, was bolstered by the inclusion of prop Brayden Hamlin-Uele and winger Samuel Stonestreet who had both been involved with NRL team Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the past few weeks.
• Canberra was desperate to make amends, after letting an opportunity slip to claim the Minor Premiership in the final round of the regular season when they lost to the Sydney Roosters. They have now lost their last three games and must win next week to keep their season alive.
• The Raiders would rue two mistakes in the second half after scoring points where they failed to take the kick-off, allowing the Jets to score on both occasions to regain the momentum and extinguish any hopes of a comeback from the Green Machine.

Play of the Game

Newtown Jets centre Chris Vea’ila grabbed two tries but the second effectively ended the Raiders chances after he showed great athleticism to leap high and grab a kick before setting sail downfield to score for a 26-0 lead. That was always going to be a tough ask for the Raiders to claw back.

What’s Next

Newtown Jets will face Minor Premiers North Sydney Bears in a Major Semi-final with the winner progressing straight to the Grand Final. The loser will face the winner of the Minor Semi-final between the Raiders and Penrith Panthers with both games to be played at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday.