Written by Claire Stegbauer
Another electrifying week of junior reps wraps up as the 2025 season begins to take shape, with teams emerging as front-runners and every competition delivering end-to-end action.
UNE SG Ball Cup Providing the Goods with Yet Another Jam-Packed Weekend
Rabbitohs Stay Unbeaten
At Kirkham Oval, Camden, the South Sydney Rabbitohs continued their undefeated run with a commanding 40-22 victory, pulling away in the second half. The game was evenly contested early, with the Rabbitohs losing Lancelot Tovio to the sin bin (17th minute), but they managed to extend their lead despite being a man down. A late sin bin for the Magpies in the second half made their comeback even tougher as the Bunnies closed out the win in style.
Bulldogs Climb the Ladder with Big Win
The Bulldogs continued their strong form, claiming an impressive victory over the Warriors on the road. The Warriors started fast, with winger Connor Bowden (3rd minute) and back rower Hiraka Waitai-Haenga (11th minute) giving them an early lead. But the Bulldogs responded, with five-eighth Bronson Reuben crossing in the 16th minute and fullback Jai Callaghan levelling the scores at 10-all.
From there, Bulldogs captain and halfback Alex Conti took control, delivering a standout performance with three try assists, a try of his own, and seven successful conversions, leading his side to a crucial win.
Click here for all the results from the UNE SG Ball Cup.
UNE Harold Matthews Cup: Rabbitohs Take Down Ladder-Leaders
The Rabbitohs pulled off a major upset, knocking off the previously undefeated Magpies to take the top spot. The Magpies struck first with winger James Lanyon scoring in the 5th minute, but a missed conversion from Joshua Vella kept the score at 4-0. The Rabbitohs hit back with tries from Ziggy Lester and Charlie Bateup, with Keone Anitelea Tsioussis adding the extras to give Souths a 10-4 halftime lead.
Momentum stayed with the Rabbitohs in the second half, as Bateup crossed for his second to push the lead to 14-4, before Tsioussis’ accuracy off the tee made it 16-4. The Magpies stayed in the fight with another Lanyon try (8-16), but a missed conversion from Vella kept them trailing. A 53rd-minute send-off for Brock Achurch proved costly, as the Rabbitohs capitalised with an Anthony Mailangi try and another Tsioussis conversion to seal a 22-8 win.
Bateup was a standout, scoring two tries off the bench at hooker, while Tsioussis’ three successful conversions proved crucial in the victory.
It was a round of tight contests in the Harold Matthews Cup, with the following matches decided by just two points—Bulldogs vs Tigers, Raiders vs Steelers, Sharks vs Eels—proving the quality these teams are backing up each week.
Click here for all the results from the UNE Harold Matthews Cup.
Westpac Tarsha Gale Cup: Eels Set the Standard
The Parramatta Eels continued their dominance at Eric Tweedale Stadium, maintaining their undefeated streak with another statement victory. Centre Jessamine Aloalii was electric, scoring back-to-back tries in the 10th and 17th minutes to put her side in control.
Meanwhile, the Tigers held their spot in third place, with Chaele Lee Falls producing an incredible solo effort—an intercept try from 90 metres, fending off five defenders before diving under the posts.
Click here for all the results from the Westpac Tarsha Gale Cup.
Click here for all the results from the Westpac Lisa Fiaola Cup.
Click here for all the results from the SLE Laurie Daley Cup.
Click here for all the results from the SLE Andrew Johns Cup.
