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

Bulldogs Overpower Rabbitohs at Accor Stadium

Alex Hrissis

Match summary

After a tight win against the Knights and the bye last week, the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have secured back-to-back wins for the first time this season in Round Seven of the Knock On Effect NSW Cup with a dominant 62-18 win over South Sydney Rabbitohs at Accor Stadium in the traditional Good Friday clash.

The Bulldogs struck first as some tidy passing down the right edge found Blake Taaffe who linked up with a wide open Blake Wilson who scored with ease to put the home team ahead 4-0. The kick was waved away.

The home side made it back-to-back tries through former Rabbitoh Blake Taaffe. Veteran half Drew Hutchison made a break through the line and passed outside to Taaffe who dove over to score. The fullback converted his own try to put Canterbury-Bankstown ahead 10-0.

It was one way traffic at Accor Stadium as Bulldogs scored their third try of the day before half-time. Some more clinical passing down the left edge proved lethal as Taaffe found himself with the ball again and tapped it along to Wilson who crashed over for his second try of the day. The try was converted to put the home team ahead 16-0.

Bulldogs scored again just minutes after when they broke through the line with speed and outside back Jonathan Sua strolled over for a comfortable four pointer. The kick was slotted with ease for a 22-0 lead.

Rabbitohs bounced back with nine minutes before the break in an attempt to claw their way back into the game. Hooker Daniel O’Donnell cut through the line and zipped past several defenders and scored underneath the posts. The try was converted to shorten the scoreline to 22-6.

The away side scored again shortly after to tighten the score to 22-12. Ashton Ward cut through the line this time and passed inside to forward Thomas Fletcher to score a try as the travelling Rabbitohs wouldn’t go down without a fight.

Bulldogs bounced back to extend their lead shortly before half-time through Blake Wilson to secure himself a first half hat-trick. The clinical right edge bore fruit once again as Sua found his winger wide open for a comfortable try. The kick was unsuccessful to send the two sides into the sheds at 26-12.

The home side picked up where they left off through front rower Lipoi Hopoi who busted through a tackle and charged down to score himself a try. Taaffe slotted the conversion to extend the lead to 32-12. Canterbury-Bankstown looked to put this game to bed as they scored their seventh try of the game. Reuben Moyle kicked a classy grubber through the line and Luke Smith charged through and jumped on the ball to claim the try and push the lead out to 38-12.

The Rabbitohs scored a try through Max Lehmann in an attempt to make a last ditch comeback. Some scrambling from the Rabbitohs saw the ball fall to Declan Casey who found his winger wide open for try. The kick was converted to bring the score to 38-18.

The Bulldogs scored again to extend the lead to 44-18 through Blake Wilson again. The winger received the ball on the 30 metre line and used his speed to blitz past the defence and dive in the corner.

Bulldogs scored yet again through winger Jethro Rinakama. The home team went down the left edge this time and the ball found the hands of Rinakama who used his pace to beat his man and score himself a try. The conversion was nailed from the sideline to notch up fifty points for the home team.

The home side crashed over yet again. Half Joseph O’Neill attempted to take on the line and broke through with strength to crash over the line just next to the posts, lining up a simple conversion for Blake Taaffe.

Canterbury-Bankstown finished off the match with one more four pointer. Jethro Rinakama found himself with the ball on the halfway line and sprinted for fifty metres to score himself another try after the siren. The conversion was nailed to make the final score 62-18.

Talking points

• A late switch saw Blake Taaffe added to the squad with the young utility playing fullback and pushing out Blake Wilson to the wing. The switch proved crucial for the win as the pair linked up for two tries.
• Ashton Ward was a shining light for the Rabbitohs as the rising half had a hand in two tries, setting up one and scoring one himself.
• The platform for the win was set early as props Daniel Suluka-Fifita and Lipoi Hopoi dominated the middle with their strong carries and their line speed.

Key moment

South Sydney were looking to bounce back into the game when they brought the score to 22-12 until Blake Wilson scored to extend the lead and kill any momentum from the opposition.

What’s Next?

In Round Eight of the KOE NSW Cup the Bulldogs will host Penrith Panthers while Rabbitohs will face off against Parramatta Eels.

Sydney Roosters v Penrith Panthers

Kepaoa scores a hat-trick in solid Panthers win

NSWRL

Match summary

Penrith Panthers collected their fifth win for The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup season with a convincing six-tries to one victory over the Sydney Roosters at Mascot Oval today.

The 32-6 result followed a dominant 56-0 win over the Manly Sea Eagles a week ago showing the Panthers attack is on song producing 58 points in two matches, while conceding just the one try.

Winger Asu Kepaoa scored a hat-trick today after taking a double against the Sea Eagles.

Leading 16-6 at halftime the damage was mainly done by the Panthers left-edge sweeps leading to the first three tries of the afternoon.

Kepaoa struck first after just six minutes followed by centre David Fale seven minutes later when NRL five-eighth Jack Cole put him through a gap.

Cole was again involved with Kepaoa getting his double in the 28th miunute.

In between the Roosters did have a moment of brilliance, when prop Makahesi Makatoa sent a superb short pass for his back-rower Aston Warwick to crash over and score against his old club.

The Roosters were desperate to get their game back on track. They enjoyed wins over Canberra Raiders and South Sydney before suffering a 32-point loss against St George Illawarra last weekend.

The Roosters are in a log-jam with three others clubs on six competition points sitting from sixth to ninth place on the ladder and all wanting to crack into the top-five.

They were held scoreless in the second half today by the Panthers, who showed off their skills early after the break.

In the 41st minute a Cole grubber kick towards the in-goal was flicked back before the dead-ball line by fullback Daine Laurie for lock Matt Eisenhuth to pounce on (22-6).

The Roosters were searching for composure and a chance to get back in the match. But two more tries from the Panthers sealed the deal.

First a break by Panthers halfback Trent Toelau was well supported by winger Jesse McLean, who ran another 30 metres.

Off the back of the next play, Kepaoa scored his third try to push the scoreboard out further (28-6).                                   

McLean was at it again three minutes from full-time with an 70-metre bust upfield picking up a loose Roosters pass. The next play and second rower Mavrik Geyer was in open space on the left edge.

Toelau landed four from six conversions.

Talking points

• Roosters NRL forward Egan Butcher played his first football game since damaging his ACL in May last year. He came off the bench in the NSW Cup game today.
• Asu Kepaoa has now scored 11 tries in seven games to shoot to the top of the try-scoring list for The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup so far.
• These two clubs met in Round Two which means the Panthers are now 2-0 after a 38-10 win five weeks ago and the 32-6 victory today.

Key moment

Roosters half Josh Durkin kicked a 40-20 to put the Roosters on the attack in the 45th minute, and then Panthers five-eighth Jack Cole was sin-binned for tackling a player without the ball.

But a loose Roosters pass saw the Penrith team, reduced to 12 men, shift the ball 100 metres upfield for Kepaoa to score his third try and put the match beyond doubt.

What's next?

The Panthers travel to Belmore Oval next Saturday to face Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, while the Roosters can put their feet up with a Round Eight bye. 

Warriors v St George Illawarra Dragons

Warrriors down Dragons in New Zealand

dragons.com.au

St George Illawarra Dragons went down to the Warriors 40-12 at Go Media Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Fresh off a strong start to the season at Jersey Flegg level, Toby Rumble earned a late call-up for his debut in The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup to partner older brother Ben on the wing for the Dragons.

Daeon Amituanai went close to securing first points for the hosts but was held up over the line by a collection of Dragons defenders. After a slew of early pressure, Jonah Glover went aerial to secure possession for the Dragons and move his side upfield after being illegally dragged back in-goal.

Amituanai found a try soon after, however, reeling in a grubber off the boot of a sweeping Geronimo Doyle in the right corner to make it 4-0.

Doyle powered his way over for a try of his own to make it a double-digit game a quarter of the way in after the visitors allowed back-to-back offloads and fell off multiple tackles down the right-hand corridor.

Eddie Ieremia-Toeava was placed on report for the Warriors for a dangerous tackle on Finau Latu just shy of the half-hour mark with Nathan Lawson going close to finding a try for the Dragons, only for Tanah Boyd to dislodge the ball out of his grip short of the try-line.

A torpedoing Glover bomb forced a Warriors error to put the visitors back on the attack with Toby Rumble going close to finding his first NSW Cup try off the back of it, only for a late strip to deny him.

Boyd knocked over a gift penalty goal just short of half-time to make it a 12-0 Warriors lead heading into the sheds.

The Dragons could not have got off to a better start to the second 40 with an opening play error handing the visitors an opportunity.

Cody Ramsey, who looked threatening on numerous occasions throughout the first stanza, sliced through down the right edge off the attacking scrum to get his side on the board.

A sweeping Ramsey laid on another result for the Dragons shortly after with the No.1 hitting a charging Corey Allan who crafted a brilliant bat-on to Toby Rumble for a debut try as the visitors moved back within four.

The Warriors went down the other end and came up with an answer with Ieremia-Toeava pouncing on a well-timed grubber to extend their lead back beyond a converted try. The hosts went back-to-back with Doyle nabbing his second off the back of a fumbled bomb as their lead improved beyond a pair of converted tries.

With the clock becoming more of a concern, the Dragons turned again to Ramsey who slipped through on another sweep play – this time down the right-hand corridor – to bring it back to 22-12 entering the final 10 minutes.

The windy conditions wreaked havoc for both kickers throughout the afternoon with Glover’s third conversion attempt waved away.

Any hopes of a fightback were swiftly quashed with Kayliss Fatialofa picking up a Dragons knock-on and handing it off to five-eighth Luke Hanson to score. Fatialofa scored a try of his own before Freddy Lussick burrowed his way over on the stroke of full-time to put a bow on a comprehensive Warriors win.

Newcastle Knights v Newtown Jets

Jets Take Off After Tight First Half In Newcastle

Match Summary

Mason Cernoy

The Jets come away with the chocolates in a strong Easter Sunday victory against Newcastle at McDonald Jones Stadium. 

After a strong opening set, it was the Knights who got things underway early, when Logan Aoake came up with the ball after a contest which saw his side receive another set. It took some quality defensive work to stop him but it didn’t matter when Fletcher Hunt drove his way through from dummy-half on the following play.

After going up 6-0, the Knights were looking to stay in the grind, but following a six again called for a ruck infringement, the Jets were able to find points when Joshua Latham worked his magic to put Eli Clark into some space. After playing it smart and taking the tackle from the Knights’ cover defence, Niwhai Puru put a big right foot step on to cut through the Knights line against the grain and close the margin.

After both sides had gotten on the board, the arm wrestle began. Both sides remained relatively error-free in the opening 20, and kept the ball in play for long periods of time, making for fast, end to end football.

The field position battle was starting to become deadlocked, but Niwhai Puru would be the man to break things open again, when he put his captain Billy Burns through a gaping hole, who sold a huge dummy to Connor Votano, running straight past him to put his side in the lead.

The discipline of the Knights started slipping shortly after, conceding penalties and field position until the Jets finally made them pay as half-time was starting to approach.

Hohepa Puru found a great last minute offload to his brother which extended Newtown’s lead to eight points when they headed into the sheds.

The Jets returned to the field with wind in their sails and after Billy Burns and Niwhai Puru both upped their try tallies in the first five minutes what had felt like a tight contest for much of the first half was all of a sudden looking extremely ugly for the Knights. When Max Bradbury crossed for another Newtown try after only five more minutes of play the game felt out of reach for Newcastle.

The Jets rolled up the field and Khaled Rajeb put his elusive footwork on display as he danced around the Knights defenders, and had enough interest from them to put Kyle Pickering through to score with ease, putting the game to bed for certain.

After a few bombed chances from both sides, who were taking plenty of risks in attack, Billy Burns put the icing on the cake for his side when he slid a well placed chip through for Eli Clark to pounce on at the end of the match.

Talking Points

• Niwhai Puru’s conversion record this afternoon was the only evidence that he’s human, having an absolute blinder otherwise. Puru set up two tries and scored three for himself in a stellar display. His combination with Billy Burns is possibly the most dangerous in the competition.
• Jayden Berrell was a constant threat, scheming around the ruck, ball playing out wide, and taking on the line on multiple occasions. A try assist for Max Bradbury and penalties earned by his smart running game played a vital role in his side’s victory this afternoon
• Discipline has been killing the Knights as of late, who were well in the contest until they started letting Newtown march up the field far too often.

Key Moment

Before the Puru brothers combined for Niwhai’s second try of the afternoon, the match was in the balance at 6-8 with Newcastle still competing hard. This try, which came just minutes before halftime gave the Jets the leg up at halftime, heading into the sheds up by eight. The momentum of tries scored before half-time can turn a match on its head, and this was the case today when the Jets came back out and scored two tries in the first five minutes against a Newcastle outfit who were well and truly in the fight until then.

What’s Next?

Both sides will be hitting the road next week, with a tough trip up next for Newcastle, who are heading to The Trusts Arena in Auckland to take on the first placed Warriors. The Jets face off with the Western Suburbs Magpies at Lidcombe Oval.

Canberra Raiders v Manly Warringah Sea Eagles

Raiders Hop to Victory in Easter Sunday Clash

Match Summary 

Tahlie Gavin 

The Canberra Raiders have pulled off their second win of the season, defeating the Manly Sea Eagles 46-12.

A dark afternoon at Raiders Belconnen saw both teams produce an evenly matched first half; but the Raiders managed to capitalise more on opportunities which saw them lead 18-6 at half time. After Sea Eagles Aaron Schoupp was sent off, the Raiders began their second half domination taking the score to 46-12 in the nation’s capital.

An early knock on from Sea Eagles Brandon Wakeham saw the Raiders on the attack early. Attacking close to the line, Raider’s skipper Adam Cook put in a last tackle grubber kick that saw Raiders second rower Noah Martin leading the chase, patiently waiting for the bounce before getting a hold of the ball to ground it in goal. Cook converted successfully taking the Raiders to an early six point lead.

In the opening 12 minutes the Sea Eagles found themselves attacking in close range after their skipper Jake Arthur managed to regain the ball after a one-on-one strip. Going side to side, in and out, Manly finally found the line after five eighth Brandon Wakeham put in a cut out pass to winger Jordan Swann who had no issues in finding the try line. Wakeham added the extra’s leveling the score.

Just three minutes later, the Sea Eagles found themselves under enormous pressure after a crucial error from the kick off. It didn’t take long for the Raiders to capitalise on this field position as Danny Levi got the ball out right to five eighth Jalen Afamasaga who stepped his way through the tackle and skipped his way over the try line. Cook converted taking the Raiders to a 12-6 lead.

With six minutes to go in the first half Raiders put up a high kick towards their attacking line on the last. A knock on from Manly fullback, Charlie Thompson, saw Raider’s centre, Manaia Waitere pick up the crumbs and run his way to the left corner to score. Another successful conversion from Cook saw the Raiders further extend their lead, heading into the sheds at half time 18-6.

Raiders were first to get points on the board in the second half as Raiders Peter Taateo was on the end of a beautiful pass from Danny Levi which enabled him to split the Sea Eagles defence as he ran towards the try line. Taateo got the ball back inside to Levi, who found Cook, who then managed to find Raiders number 15 Jaxon Lavender who scored under the posts. A kick from right in front saw Cook increase the lead for the Raiders to 18-points early in second half.

A monster pass from Raiders Ethan Alia to Manaia Waitere saw Waitere step and fend his way down the field. A batted down ball saw the referee’s call play on as Raiders scrambled their way towards the try line. Simi Sasagi came up with the ball putting on a left step before he reached over the line and planted the ball down. Cook once again converted the try as the Raiders sprung away to a 30-6 lead.

Sea Eagles found their way up the field during the 61st minute after a six again call was ruled in their favour. Flooding across the field looking for gaps, captain Jake Arthurs took matters into his own hands running at the Raiders defence and reaching out to get the ball over the line. Wakeham converted the try bringing the Sea Eagles 28-points behind the Green Machine.

The Sea Eagles found themselves in a dangerous defensive situation just minutes later as lock Dean Matterson gave away a penalty. A pass from Levi at dummy half to Noah Martin saw him barge his way through the defensive line to score his second try of the afternoon. The conversion was waved away as Raiders led 34-12.

Raiders centre Jed Stuart managed to pull off a one-on-one strip that saw the Raiders back and attacking in close range. Passing left in an attempt the keep the ball alive, Waitere battled his way over the line. Three minutes later, Waitere secured a triple as he put in a beautiful chip over the Sea Eagles defensive line which saw him lead the chase and dive his way over the try line. Cook converted both tries as the Raiders defeated the Manly Sea Eagles 46-12.

Talking Points 

• Aaron Schoupp was sent off in the 50th minute after a spear tackle on Michael Asomua.
• Sea Eagles Antonio Taufa limped off the field during the second with what looked to be a leg injury.
• Ethan Alia brilliantly stepped up to the task of fullback for the Raiders after Chevy Stewart was not named due to concussion protocols.

Key Moment 

10 minutes into the second half, the Manly Sea Eagles were left with a 12 men as centre Aaron Schoupp was dramatically sent from the field. A spear tackle on Raiders Michael Asomua saw the referee Chis Sutton send him off without hesitation leaving the threatening looking Raiders side with a short defensive line to attack against.

What's next? 

The Manly Sea Eagles will head off to Wollongong to take on the third placed Dragons, while The Canberra Raiders look to continue their home winning streak as they take on the North Sydney Bears at GIO Stadium Canberra.

Western Suburbs Magpies v Parramatta Eels

Eels still too good against a Galvin-inspired Magpies

Ellery Behan

Match summary

Parramatta Eels have put back-to-back victories together in The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup with a 22-10 triumph over the Western Suburbs Magpies in the final match of Round Seven at Lidcombe Oval on Easter Monday.

Receiving a penalty on the first tackle of the game, Parramatta marched upfield and wasted no time in opening their account. The Eels executed an electric left-side shift with Joash Papalii firing the ball to Araz Nanva who exploded off his left foot to beat his opposite man and score.

Picking and probing at the Eels’ defence, the Magpies eventually found their way through off a second-phase play created by a brilliant offload from Tristan Hope.

Receiving the offload, Kurt Falls found barnstorming second-rower Elie El-Zakhem on his outside who flicked the ball out to Solomona Faataape, lurking in support, to stroll over for his fourth try in three games. Falls converted to lock it up at 6-6.

It wasn’t long before the Eels reclaimed their advantage with a rare link-up between two front rowers, as Ryan Matterson dug deep into the defensive line and deceived defenders by feigning to play the pass out the back before throwing it short to fellow prop Toni Mataele to dive over under the posts.

The visitors doubled their lead with entertainment that looked like it came in from the Sydney Royal Easter Show. Ronald Volkman sailed a towering bomb towards the corner and Jordan Samrani soared through at pace to gracefully tap it back to a moving Bryce Cartwright who beat desperate defenders in a race to the corner.

Parramatta asserted their dominance before the break, crossing for another four-pointer once again off a Volkman kick. With the blue-and-gold working the left edge, Magpies halfback Kurt Falls read the play perfectly and rushed up on Volkman, but the Eels five-eighth showed too much strength.

Taking advantage of the defence being up and flat footed, the playmaker poked a chip kick into the path of winger Alfred Smalley who collected the ball and planted it down for a 22-6 halftime buffer.

The second stanza was scoreless for the first 32 minutes with both forward packs taking each other on with their physicality, neither able to gain the upper hand.

But it was the Western Suburbs who began to show signs of life, with Lachlan Galvin probing down the left edge and taking advantage of Eels winger Samuel Loizou rushing in as he threw a cut out ball onto the chest of Izaac Tu’itupou who sailed in to score.

Despite closing the deficit from three tries to two, the home side couldn’t conjure up enough momentum to make a late comeback against a valiant Parramatta defence.

Talking points

• Having dominated headlines all week, Lachlan Galvin was by far the Magpies’ most threatening player in attack, with dummy-half runs, cut-out passes, working both sides of the field and sending probing grubber kicks towards the in-goal.
• Lidcombe Oval was swarming with cameras given Galvin’s inclusion, and the teenage superstar was met with a warm reception from home fans as he made his way into the sheds post-game.
• Shifting back into the No.1 jersey after a two-week stint at five-eighth, Joash Papalii was exceptional at both ends of the field. He manufactured Parramatta’s first try with a perfect bullet pass and defused plenty of dangerous kicks from the Magpies halves.
• Parramatta produced a carbon copy of last week’s triumph over the Raiders, piling points on in the first half and defending their way to victory in the second.

Key moment

With scores locked up 6-6, Western Suburbs looked set to hit the front with a slick move to the right side. Galvin threw an extravagant cut-out ball to winger Alex Lobb who set sail for the corner with open pasture in front of him.

But the Eels defenders chased back to cover brilliantly as they wrapped him up and forced the ball loose. With the help of a six-again call, Parramatta then took the ball 100 metres to hit the front and turn the tide.

What’s next?

The Eels will look to put three straight wins together next round when they visit the struggling South Sydney Rabbitohs at Redfern Oval next Saturday 26 April. The Magpies host the high-flying defending premiers Newtown Jets back at Lidcombe Oval, also on Saturday.