Claire Stegbauer
UNE SG Ball Cup
Raiders Rally Back to Stay Alive in SG Ball Cup Finals
The Canberra Raiders have reignited their UNE SG Ball Cup campaign with a commanding 38-22 win over the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in the Semi-Final at Leichhardt Oval, responding strongly after their opening-round loss.
Under pressure to keep their season alive, the Raiders came out firing, with Jesse Milin charging onto a perfectly timed ball from Jamie Cowling to crash over just left of the posts in the third minute, giving Canberra the early edge. The Bulldogs returned serve shortly after, with Paul Johnson diving over in the sixth minute to level the score with a try that came all to easily, before a see-sawing first half unfolded.
Raiders captain Braydan Darmody and Bulldogs half Mitchell Woods traded tries in similar fashion, both slicing through the line with sharp show-and-go plays, followed by another Bulldogs effort from Sosaia Alatini barging over the line, which sent the sides into the sheds locked at 12-all after a frenetic opening 35 minutes.
The Raiders turned the screws early in the second half with three quick tries in the space of 12 minutes. Jayze Tuigamala was too strong, carrying four defenders over the line with him, Sylas Simon's long-range try and Milin’s second gave Canberra a firm grip on the contest, with Darmody’s steady boot extending their lead and controlling the pace.
Paul Johnson gave the Bulldogs a glimmer of hope with his second try in the 66th minute, but it was too little, too late. James Croker capped the Raiders' resurgence with a powerful finish to seal the match.
Darmody was outstanding for Canberra, racking up 18 points through a try, five conversions, and a penalty goal, while Milin’s double and the forward pack’s strong metres laid the foundation.
It was a statement win from the Green Machine, who now march into the SG Ball Cup Preliminary Final with renewed confidence and a spot in the final just one win away.
UNE Harold Matthews Cup
Central Coast Roosters Outgun Sydney Counterparts in Harold Matts Finals Thriller
The Central Coast Roosters have stormed into the UNE Harold Matthews Cup Preliminary Finals with a thrilling 36-30 victory over the Sydney Roosters in an all-Roosters showdown at Leichhardt Oval.
In a high scoring clash between the two attacking outfits, it was Central Coast who struck first through Tulsyn McCulloch of the back of a perfectly weighted kick from their captian Mareko. Before Sydney answered back with back-to-back tries to Charlie Webb as he darted between players before taking off for an easy try, and Ravai Tulevu slicing through to claim a 12-6 lead.
Momentum swung once more as Kai Watts and Blessing Foini crossed for Central Coast, with Foini capping off a slick right-edge movement to push his side into the lead. But Sydney wouldn't stay down for long—Lachlan Metcalfe wiggling his way through in the 27th minute to tie things up at 18-all by halftime.
The second half belonged largely to Central Coast, who scored four tries in 12 minutes to take a commanding 36-18 lead. Joshua Fesolai, Foini’s second, Corbin Devaney and McCulloch’s second had the crowd on their feet as the visitors ran riot down the edges.
To their credit, the Sydney Roosters didn’t go quietly. Ravai Tulevu crossed twice in quick succession to complete a stunning hat-trick and bring the margin back to six. With Metcalfe perfect off the tee, the scoreline tightened to 36-30 with under two minutes remaining.
Despite their late surge, the Sydney Roosters ran out of time as Central Coast held firm to secure a hard-fought win and keep their finals hopes alive.
Tulevu’s three-try haul and Metcalfe’s 10-point haul kept the home side in the contest, but it was Central Coast’s ability to strike repeatedly in key moments that ultimately sealed the deal.
Westpac Tarsha Gale Cup
Indigenous Academy Stun Tigers with Second-Half Comeback to Reach Tarsha Gale Cup Prelims
The Sydney Roosters Indigenous Academy have booked their spot in the Westpac Tarsha Gale Cup Preliminary Final after clawing their way back from a 10-point deficit to defeat the Wests Tigers 22-16 in a gripping Finals Week Two clash at Leichhardt Oval.
The Tigers exploded out of the gates, with powerhouse forward Tiresa Leasuasu proving unstoppable early on. She stormed over for back-to-back tries in the first and ninth minute, both converted by Ellie Barnett to hand the home side a 12-0 lead.
Elenoa Namua added another four-pointer in the 25th minute off a stunning chip and chase from Sienna-Mae-Montgomery to extend the advantage to 16-6, with the Tigers dominating the opening half.
But it was a different story after the break, as the Indigenous Academy lifted their intensity and found their rhythm in attack.
Winger Tyra Ekepati’s first-half effort laid the foundation, but it was Manisha Seebeck who turned the match on its head with a stunning second-half double in the 46th and 50th minute to level the scores at 16-all.
With momentum firmly behind them, the Academy struck again in the dying moments through Luca-Bella Ngatuere-Ongley snagging up a lose ball and charging over to seal the deal (59’), Logan Fletcher’s clutch conversion added two extra points to a remarkable comeback win.
Logan Fletcher finished the match with a perfect three-from-three off the tee, guiding her side into the final four with poise under pressure.
Despite a fast start and a standout effort from Leasuasu, the Tigers couldn’t hold off the surging Indigenous Academy outfit, who now march on with confidence and belief heading into next weekend’s Preliminary Final.
Westpac Lisa Fiaola Cup
Parramatta Eels Shock the Panthers' Finals Hopes
The Parramatta Eels have powered into the Westpac Lisa Fiaola Cup Preliminary Final with a strong second-half performance to defeat the Penrith Panthers 26-12 in Finals Week Two at Parker Street Reserve.
Despite conceding early points, the Eels remained composed and steadily built momentum throughout the contest, scoring five tries to two and showing their attacking class when it mattered most.
Penrith opened the scoring through Aaliyah Womal pushing past multiple defenders in the third minute, with Isabella Ferguson converting to give the home side an early 6-0 lead. But Parramatta soon found their rhythm, responding with tries to centre Cody Tuimaseve backing herself into a try and Kaizen Morgan-Pritchard to edge in front 10-6.
The Panthers struck again shortly after halftime, with Patricia Heihei surging over in the 40th minute and Ferguson’s second conversion reclaiming a narrow 12-10 lead for Penrith.
From there however, it was all Parramatta. Evelyn Kuwendu ignited the second-half surge in the 43rd minute, before Freedom Crichton Ropati and Mere Sivo added further tries to put the result beyond doubt. Bailey Ma-Chong was instrumental with the boot, slotting three conversions in a composed display.
Heihei’s late sin bin compounded the Panthers’ woes and halted any chance of a comeback, as the Eels closed out the match with confidence and control.
The victory was a full-team effort, with Parramatta’s forward pack setting a strong platform and their outside backs capitalising on every opportunity. With this win, the Eels now move one step closer to the Lisa Fiaola Cup Grand Final and will head into next week’s clash brimming with belief.
Click here for results from the UNE Harold Matthews Cup.
Click here for results from the Westpac Lisa Fiaola Cup.
Click here for results from the UNE SG Ball Cup.
Click here for results from the Westpac Tarsha Gale Cup.
