Jets topple Magpies in Henson Park shootout

Eels hang on against strong-finishing Rabbitohs

Alex Hrissis

Game Summary

The Parramatta Eels survived a scare from the South Sydney Rabbitohs in Round 18 of the Knock on Effect NSW Cup on Thursday night with the home side producing enough class to win 20-16 and temporarily put themselves within striking distance of the top-five.

The win sees the Eels move up to sixth place on the ladder, after jumping to a 20-4 lead early in the second  half and then just holding on in a two-try late fightback from the Rabbitohs.

Centres for both teams scored hat-tricks – Samuel Loizou for the Eels and Fletcher Myers for the Rabbitohs.

Parramatta opened the scoring at CommBank Stadium in the first set of the game.

Speedy halfback Ethan Sanders made a break down the field and was tackled just short of the try line.

Some slick passing down the right edge followed and Zac Cini threw a cutout pass to Loizou who dived over comfortably to give his side the lead (4-0).

The Eels doubled their scoreline following strong field advancement with another tidy cut-out pass, this time from Sanders to Lorenzo Mulitalo, who was unmarked and scored with ease (10-0).

The Eels scored their third on the trot down that dangerous right edge yet again, with Loizou claiming another try.

The centre received some nice early ball and dashed past defenders into a gap to score. Sanders converted his first try of the night (14-0).

South Sydney bounced back late in the first half scoring their first points through centre Fletcher Myers.

Adam Christensen passed a quick ball to Myers who punched through a lapse in the defensive line to score comfortably (14-4).

The away side grabbed another try with minutes before half time through Myers yet again. The skilful outside back scooped the ball up from dummy half to dive over and collect his second of the day (14-8).

That remained the half-time score but Parramatta replied early after the break with Loizou claiming his hat-trick and extending the lead to 12 points.

Five-eighth Daejarn Asi kicked a tidy short ball through the defence for Loizou to dive on (20-8).

South Sydney finally got back into scoring mode, when fullback Jye Gray used his speed to break through the line and pass to Leon Te Hau to cross in the corner (20-12).

The Rabbitohs posted a late try with four minutes to go, when Myers sprinted down the wing and put in a grubber for Leonard Skelton. He kicked a second time and it was Myers who crashed over the line for his third of the night (20-16).

With four minutes left on the clock it was a frantic finish but an unchanged scoreline.

Talking Points

• Ethan Sanders showed off his NRL credentials with a fine performance at halfback, steering his team around the park with a strong kicking game plus a try assit.
• Eels lock Luca Moretti produced a dominant performance through the middle, making strong tackles and running hard at the line.
• Fletcher Myers was a shining light for South Sydney, bagging himself three tries.
• That hat-trick was matched by Eels’ Samuel Loizou.

Key Moment

The Eels showed their intentions early on in the match. South Sydney winger Leon Te Hau made a fast break down the wing and looked like he was about to score a comfortable try until Mulitalo made a strong tackle to deny his opposing winger.

What’s Next?

In Round 19 of The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup the Eels will host the New Zealand Warriors next Saturday (13 July), while South Sydney will face off against the North Sydney Bears on Sunday (14 July).

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v Warriors

Dogs show bite to defeat Warriors in high-scoring affair

Sam Kosack

Game Summary

The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have put a stop to the Warriors’ four-game winning streak, announcing themselves as genuine title contenders in emphatic fashion.

The Bulldogs were clinical, completing at 91 percent for the game and running out 46-16 victors, leapfrogging the Warriors into third. However, the home side will be hoping for good news regarding injuries to Blake Taaffe and Ryan Sutton; the latter of whom only returned this game from a lengthy period out.

The first half was entertaining and full of tries with both sides sharing in the fun.

The Bulldogs struck first at home as winger Jonathan Sua crossed in the corner with his first touch of the game. Eli Clark converted the try for a 6-0 lead five minutes into the match.

Playing on a wing, young gun Joash Papalii scored in the right corner, catching a floating Hayze Perham pass above his head and keeping his foot in by the barest of margins, extending the Bulldogs’ lead to 10.

It seemed trouble was brewing for the Warriors after winger Setu Tu knocked on 10 metres out from his own line. However, Tu quickly redeemed himself, taking an intercept and running 50 metres downfield. Despite being run down, that momentum had the Warriors advance quickly up the ground, allowing hooker Makaia Tafua to scoot from dummy-half and open the visitors’ account.

Eight minutes later, the Warriors levelled the score through Edward Kosi. Some slick ball movement put Kosi in space down the eastern touchline before the winger muscled over three defenders to cap off the try.

Their lead wasn’t to be long lived however, with the Bulldogs scoring two quickfire tries to take a 12-point lead into the break. Blake Taaffe sliced the Warriors’ defence in two like a hot knife through butter in the 28th minute, before centre Jordan Samrani darted from dummy half four minutes later, beating some weak defence from the New Zealand side for a 22-10 score-line.

In opposite fashion to the first half, it would take almost 20 minutes for either team to score points in the second half, but it was Hayze Perham who would cross first. The Bulldogs’ fullback took advantage of a broken Warriors defensive line and sailed through a gaping hole to extend the Bulldogs’ lead to 18.

Despite being reduced to 15 men with the losses of Taaffe and Sutton, even mounting injuries couldn’t stop the Bulldogs with Liam Knight showing great strength to plant the ball, before Papalii scored his second, narrowly planting a Romano Cook grubber in the corner before it went dead. Eli Clark’s two conversions gave the home side a 30-point lead after 70 minutes.

Though the result wouldn’t go their way, the Warriors refused to give up. Choosing to run the ball on last tackle, Setu Tu carved a hole in the Bulldogs’ defensive line, running 30 metres downfield and finding centre Moala Graham-Taufa on his outside for a consolation try with seven minutes remaining.

Not to be done yet, the Bulldogs were determined to have the last say, with Sua nabbing his second in the final three minutes following a simple shift which broke down the Warriors’ defence; a recurrent theme through the day.

Talking Points

• The Bulldogs’ back line, led by Hayze Perham, caused havoc for the visitors all afternoon, while Eli Clark converted seven of eight attempts at goal – the majority from the sidelines.
• The Bulldogs will be sweating on the health of Ryan Sutton and Blake Taaffe as they continue to push for a top two finish in The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup.       
• Setu Tu was a shining light for the Warriors in a losing effort, having a crucial role in two tries and running for 118 metres.

Key Moment

Hayze Perham’s try in the second half proved a crucial moment in the overall outcome of this game. The Warriors needed to strike first to begin to claw back the lead, but Perham’s try for the Bulldogs proved to be too much to overcome; the floodgates opening after that.

What’s Next?

The Bulldogs have another important matchup against the Newtown Jets at Henson Park on Saturday, while the Warriors look for redemption against the Parramatta Eels at Lidcombe Oval.

Newtown Jets v Western Suburbs Magpies

Jets claim Raudonikis Cup with win over Magpies

Bailey Whitton

Game Summary

It was a high-scoring match at Henson Park on Saturday afternoon, but the fourth-placed Newtown Jets proved too good for the last-placed Western Suburbs Magpies, taking home the Tommy Raudonikis Cup in Round 18.

Early ill-discipline from the Magpies saw the Jets draw first blood, sending the ball through hands to second-rower Kyle Pickering hitting the hole to score three minutes in. Jets halfback Niwhai Puru failed to convert, 4-0.

The Magpies conceded another try on their line when lock, Jesse Colquhoun, scored off a crash play in the 18^th minute. Puru converted from in front to make it 10-0.

Jets Hooker Samuel Healy then scored a fantastic individual try, stepping multiple Magpies defenders to stroll over the line 29 minutes in. Puru’s conversion made it 16-0.

More ill-discipline from the Magpies allowed Newtown to march upfield again. Jets prop Hamlin-Uele capitalised on his team’s set, stepping off his left to score in the 33^rd minute. Puru’s conversion was waved away, Newtown leading 20-0.

Capitalising on a Jets mistake, Magpies forward Zakauri Clarke bounced and spun his way to the line late in the first half. Lobb kicked the conversion to trail 20-6.

Jets winger Siteni Taukamo scooped up a Magpies fumble and raced 90 metres to score in the 45^th minute. Puru kicked the conversion, extending the lead to 26-6.

The Magpies hit back as winger, Alex Lobb, plucked a Sullivan bomb from the air, planting it in the corner in the 49^th minute. Lobb’s conversion fell short of the posts, keeping the deficit at 16.

The Magpies were back in the game, when centre Josh Feledy bustled through three Newtown defenders and reached out to score in the 56^th minute. Lobb missed the conversion, keeping the deficit 26-14.

Jets Centre, Chris Vea’ila was put on report and placed in the sin bin for a coat-hanger tackle in the 58^thminute, inviting the Magpies into the contest.

Defending their own line, an attempted intercept by Magpies prop Tim Johannssen deflected straight into the hands of Colquhoun, who scored untouched in the 61^st minute. Puru slotted the conversion to lead 32-14.

Magpies fullback Brent Naden found himself in open space in the 68^th minute, gifting centre Josh Feledy a short run to the line for his second of the afternoon. Lobb missed the conversion, 32-18.

Unlikely to chase down the Jets, the Magpies persisted, sending forward Jordan Miller crashing over the line with five minutes to go. Lobb slotted the conversion, but the final score remained 32-24.

Talking Points

• Magpies prop Reuben Porter was put on report in the 33^rd minute for a high shot.
• Magpies forward Canye Nicholas was also placed on report for a dangerous tackle in the 41^st minute.
• Jets Centre Chris Vea’ila was put on report and sin-binned for a coat-hanger tackle in the 58^th minute.

What’s Next?

The Jets return home to Henson Park taking on third-placed Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, whilst the Magpies will meet the Sydney Roosters at Wentworth Park for Round 19.

Sydney Roosters v St George Illawarra Dragons

The Dragons go back-to-back over the Sydney Roosters

Alex Hrissis

Game Summary

The St George Illawarra Dragons have braved the wet conditions in a gritty encounter to defeat the Sydney Roosters 18-14 at Allianz Stadium today.

Roosters struck first, as fullback Jade Anderson made a strong run down the right hand side finding Kyron Fekitoa. The young outside back then passed out to Tyreece Tait who blitzed 20 metres down the sideline to score (6-0).

The away side bounced back quickly after the first points of the game to tie things up. It started with a strong run from Alec Tuitavake who crashed over the line but failed to ground the ball as he was held up.

Hooker Connor Muhleison found Dylan Egan with some early ball and busted through the defence to crash over and score (6-6).

St George Illawarra added another six points not long after through Dragons halfback Jonah Glover who put up a bomb just short of the try line and the Roosters defence was unable to recover it. The ball bounced right into the arms of Lyhkan King-Togia who dived over for a comfortable try (12-6).

Roosters scored the first points of the second half, courtesy of a seventy-five metre return from Jade Anderson. The fullback scooped the ball up following a short kick from Glover and sprinted the length of the field to score an impressive try. The conversion was short to leave the Dragons in the lead (12-10).

The second half was mainly a scrappy affair as both teams struggled with the wet conditions.

The Dragons found their feet half way through the second half through Connoe Muhleison. The young hooker ran a strong line and received the ball from Glover to crash over and score (18-10).

Roosters would not go down without a fight however as once again the combination of Fekitoa and Tait bore fruit in the form of a try. The winger produced a spectacular dive into the corner to score his second try of the day. The kick was sprayed just wide to leave the Dragons with a narrow 18-14 lead.  

Key Moment

This clash was a mainly scrappy and gritty affair with both sides scoring two tries each. It looked to go either way until the away side extended their lead from a Muhelison try late in the second half.

Talking Points

• Lhykan King-Togia improved on his good form in this game against the Roosters, providing tidy short kicks, running the ball and scoring himself a try.
• Roosters fullback Jade Anderson scored himself an impressive try off of a seventy-five metre kick return

What’s Next

Sydney Roosters will host Western Suburbs Magpies in Round 19 of The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup while St George Illawarra will enjoy the bye

Canberra Raiders v Newcastle Knights

Raiders hold off Knights in Canberra

Tahlie Gavin

Game Summary

The Canberra Raiders have secured an impressive 38-24 win over the Newcastle Knights today at GIO Stadium.

The first points of the afternoon went to the Knights who were rewarded for a great kick chase that saw both fullbacks contest for the ball in the air where Newcastle’s Connor Votano was successful and added the first points to the score board. Thomas Cant failed to convert (4-0).

Raiders answered back just four minutes later through their prop Peter Taateo. Mitch Henderson’s bomb kick was batted back by Nick Cotric and successfully picked up and put down over the line by Taateo (6-4).

After Raiders short drop out going out on the full, Knights were given another chance at the line.

Running one on one down the short side after a long pass out to the wing from Jack Cogger, Thomas Cant found another four-points early in the first half ducking under Raiders defence to put the ball over the line (8-6).

Raiders fought back again at the 21st minute  of the first half, once again through Taateo who forced himself over the line and through Knights defence. Henderson converts taking Raiders to a 12-8 lead.

Knights five-eighth Zach Herring’s first duties with the boot for the afternoon saw him put in a perfectly timed kick out to the left side where centre Krystian Mapapalangi soared above the pack to catch and put the ball down over the line (14-12).

Peter Taateo found his 3rd try of the first half stepping past the defence to score – giving his team the lead for the third time that afternoon (18-14).

 An offload just 3 minutes later from Raiders winger Jed Stuart to skipper Hohepa Puru saw him have a clean run at the line with no Knights defenders in front of him to score again for the Raiders (24-14).

After scoring a try just minutes before, Puru managed to break Knights defence before passing off to Mitchell Spencer to score. Henderson converted successfully taking the Raiders to a 30-14 lead at half time. 

Newcastle scored the first points of the second half through Brock Greacen. A quick pop-up pass from Herring who was on the ground, saw Greacen put the ball down over the line (30-20)

Knights were in again shortly after with their skipper crossing for his second for the afternoon. Jack Cogger’s quick thinking and passing saw the ball come out to Cant to score but he was unable to convert (30-26).

A Peter Hola line break put the Raiders in great field position. The ball was quickly shifted out to the left for Prinston Esera to dive over. Henderson converts from sideline taking the score to 36-24.

A penalty rewarded to Raiders from right in front of the posts saw Mitch Henderson hold up the 2-fingers as the Raiders convert a penalty goal to end the game with a 38-24 victory over the Newcastle Knights.

Talking Points

• A fight breaking out right on the siren saw Noah Martin penalised for a dangerous tackle on fulltime.
• Peter Taateo’s magnificent first half hattrick was a huge confidence boost for the Raiders going into half time.

Key Moment

A very back and forth first half saw both teams scoring tries one after the other. The Raiders didn’t look themselves until they managed to string their footy together at the back end of the first half scoring 3 incredible tries in under 10-minutes.

Tries from Peter Taateo, Hohepa Puru and Mitchell Spencer gave the Raiders the confidence they needed going into the sheds at half time.

What’s Next?

Round 19 begins with the Canberra Raiders heading up to BlueBet stadium to take on the Penrith Panthers on Saturday. The Newcastle Knights will come up against the Sea Eagles the following day at 4 Pines Park.

North Sydney Bears v Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles