NSWRL Junior Reps Round 8: Latest results, scorers from round eight weekend action
The finals race is heating up in the NSWRL Junior Reps with round eight now complete. Catch up on the latest results from the Fiaola, Gale, Matts and SG Ball competitions.
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Now on the doorstep of the finals, plenty of teams are making their move in the NSWRL Junior Reps.
Catch up with all the latest from around the grounds after round eight of the Lisa Fiaola, Tarsha Gale, Harold Matthews and SG Ball Cup competitions.
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Lisa Fiaola - Tarsha Gale - Harold Matthews - SG Ball
LISA FIAOLA CUP
Parramatta quickly moved on from last week’s shock loss to Central Coast, outclassing North Sydney 40-4 in the first of four matches between the clubs at Eric Tweedale Stadium.
Led upfront by Fontayne Tufuga, the Eels rolled through the middle from the outset and raced 30 points clear when skipper Aaliyah Soufan put Nikita E over for the first of the winger’s three tries.
After regrouping during the break, the Bears struck first through Lily-May Price-Jones, the centre scoring Norths’ only try from an intercept.
Hooker Bailey Ma-Chong hit back with her second, before Nikita E rounded out her hat-trick in the left corner in the dying minutes.
With one round remaining before the finals, the win restores Parramatta’s slim hopes of finishing in the top two.
TIGERS IN CRUISE CONTROL
It was all Wests at Kirkham as the Tigers cruised past South Sydney 38-0, capping off a fifth win to all but assure their spot in the finals.
Coming off a heavy last start loss to Canterbury, the Tigers’ intentions were clear when fullback Rhiannon Bonner crossed inside the opening two minutes.
After jumping clear 14-0, second-rower Lucyannah Luamanu-Leiataua added the first of five second half tries before hooker Paige Attard grabbed the last with three minutes left to play.
STEELERS DOMINATE OUT WEST
Illawarra maintained its grip on second place, thumping Penrith 30-6 at St Marys.
With the finals just around the corner, it was the Steelers’ third straight win by 16 or more in what has been a commanding month of footy.
Centre Halle Barrett scored twice and she was joined by Tahlia O’Brien and Michala Hardy, who also bagged doubles in the six tries to one victory.
KNIGHTS SHUTOUT SHARKS
Newcastle have kept alive its chances of a top six berth with a 22-0 shutout of Cronulla.
In what shaped as a must win for both sides, Newcastle ended a tense first half with tries to Maronay Smuts and supersub Ruby Wilhelmus.
Up by eight, Newcastle didn’t look back. Wilhelmus struck again just after halftime before the Knights finished off the job scoring another two four-pointers to outside backs Stevie Botham and Macey Cox.
SYDNEY ROOSTERS IN THE MIX
The Sydney Roosters’ prospects of an extended season are back on track after making short work of Manly 44-8.
Needing a win at Brookvale to remain in the finals hunt, the Roosters rebounded after three successive defeats with a dominant nine-try demolition where skipper Lacey Cross led the way with one either side of the interval.
Halfback Talea Tonga and Irae Savea scored in the shadows of halftime to open a 18-4 lead, and the tricolours added to Manly’s misery, racing in another five in the second half.
CENTRAL COAST ALMOST THERE
Central Coast has all-but secured its spot in the finals after a convincing 42-4 defeat of St George.
Breanna Bigeni finished the morning with four tries and Mia Vaotuua chipped in with another double.
The Roosters sit in fourth and a win over South Sydney guarantees they will be playing finals football.
TARSHA GALE CUP
Parramatta have overcome a topsy-turvy first half to skip clear of North Sydney 48-12.
Seemingly in control with a double to winger Lindsay Tui and another to centre Caitlin Peadon, the Eels logged off after a blistering opening nine minutes. By the 23rd minute, the Bears had roared back to life and trailed 16-8 with tries to Tailah McPherson and Jayla Dicker.
Peadon scored again on the stroke of halftime, and the Eels went on with the job as five-eighth Raphaella Perigo scored twice in the nine tries to three victory.
TIGERS NEVER HEADED AT CAMDEN
Replacement Italia Nuku-Mariner crossed twice as Wests Tigers accounted for Souths 26-8 in the second match of the day at Camden.
Chelsea Blankenstein crossed in the third minute, and the winger finished with 10 points after landing three conversions in the five tries to three win.
After trailing 14-0, Shanelle Lyons struck twice to keep Souths in the contest, but it wasn’t enough as the Tigers jumped again to round out an important third win.
STEELERS CRACK 60-PLUS AGAIN
With an identical scoreline to last week’s trouncing of St George, Illawarra have put Penrith to the sword with another 62 unanswered points.
With the emphatic 13-try victory, Illawarra are almost certain to finish as minor premiers.
Centre Darcy Eade dominated the scoresheet with a hat-trick, while Rhian Yeo, Evie McGrath and Sienna Leslie all crossed twice.
KNIGHTS SOUND THE ALARM
With a 36-14 victory over Cronulla, the Knights have confirmed their appearance in the Tarsha Gale finals.
Hosting a Sharks outfit that were already secure inside the top six, Newcastle showed their credentials with a couple of early strikes to outside backs Lilly-Ann White and Lilly McNamara.
Cronulla hit back through Olivia Herman and Arianna Ruwoldt, but it was all Newcastle after the break. Evah McEwen was the star, the backrower finished the day with three tries as the Knights ran in another five to Cronulla’s one.
MANLY EDGED OUT IN TITANIC CLASH
Manly suffered their first loss of the season, but lost no friends in a titanic struggle before being outpointed by reigning premiers Sydney Roosters 14-12.
The Tarsha finals arrived early at Brookvale as both sides slugged it out, before Manly took the initiative 6-4 through prop Alianna Tonuu.
Tries were traded in the second half before the Roosters finally hit the front for the first time in the 46th minute. In the end, winger Ashley Ketuu’s try proved to be the final points of the match, and the Roosters dug deep, hanging on in a memorable victory.
RAIDERS HEARTBREAK IN WIN
Canberra did enough to take down St George 34-10 at Forshaw Park, but their success was dampened with previous results.
Newcastle’s win ended their finals hopes prior to the fixture, but they were still able to compose themselves for the win.
Claudia Finau, Elise Simpson and Lara Cosgrove all had doubles on the afternoon.
HAROLD MATTHEWS CUP
Manly made it two straight, easing past Balmain 30-4 to remain within striking distance of the finals.
Despite the final score, it was an even contest early as the sides exchanged tries before hooker Cruz Death sent Manly to the sheds with a 12-4 lead.
Winger Logan Tolar extended the margin in the 33rd minute, and the Eagles swooped late to put the result beyond doubt with another two tries to Bede Lill and prop William Leha.
MAGPIES STRIKE EARLY
Western Suburbs have confirmed their title credentials, holding off the Sydney Roosters 32-22 in a clash of the premiership heavyweights at Kirkham.
In a major statement, the unbeaten Magpies scored first through clever hooker Ashton Large and counted Bailey Roberts-Lintmeijer’s reply to lead 24-12 at halftime.
Wests centre Heamasi Makasini scored twice, and finished with a personal haul of 18 points after landing five conversions.
PARRA PUNT BEARS
Parramatta’s unbeaten record was never under threat as the Eels’ push towards the top two gathered momentum after knocking off Norths 34-10.
Centre Alma Fa’ataga Seve crossed twice for Parra, as the Eels kept the foot on the peddle with another three tries in the second half after leading 18-0.
Blake Van Drie and centre Asa Visesio were rewarded for their efforts, both scoring tries as the Bears continued to fight hard until the final siren.
CENTRAL COAST V MELBOURNE
Postponed due to a flight cancellation out of Melbourne.
PENRITH UPSET KNIGHTS
Penrith have snapped a two match losing streak with a 28-24 upset victory over Newcastle at St Marys.
Skipper Hunter Bell gave Penrith the early advantage but it was the Knights who struck back, scoring twice through Ryder Crosswell and backrow powerhouse Austyn Ah Toon-Hotene to lead 12-10 at halftime.
With three minutes to play, Crosswell crossed again and at 24-22 it was Newcastle’s to lose. And that’s exactly what happened, when Bell struck again in the final minute, scoring from a miraculous match winning play before converting his own try.
SHARKS ENHANCE FINALS CHANCES
Cronulla took a big step towards booking a Harold Matts finals appearance after hammering the Warriors 40-10 in Pukekohe.
A 24-4 lead at halftime was continued on in the second half as the Sharks held onto fifth spot with one round remaining.
Jyarah Delaney and Callum Grantham both had two tries in the win, with the latter finishing with a 20-point haul.
DOGS CONTINUE UNBEATEN RUN
Canterbury took full advantage of a 12-man Steelers side in a 52-6 beat down at Hammondville.
Creighton Meafou and Leeroy Weatherall both spent time in the sin bin on either side of halftime and the Bulldogs capitalised, piling on five tries in that 20-minute period.
Jope Rauqe maintained his form with a hat-trick.
CANBERRA PACKS TOO MANY PUNCHES
The Raiders continued their late-season revival with a 34-14 defeat of St George at Forshaw Park.
The game was well in the balance at 16-10 at halftime, before the visitors clicked into gear and finished too strong.
Scoring three tries in nine minutes to close out the game, capped off with a double to Kruger Roache.
SG BALL CUP
Newcastle centre Logan Aoake scored a hat-trick as the Knights had to dig deep before overcoming a gutsy South Sydney 34-18.
Desperate to get back in the winners’ circle after last week’s loss to Sydney Roosters, the second placed Knights had plenty to worry about at Cessnock against a giant killing Rabbitohs.
Fresh from a round seven upset over Wests, Souths struck first through Tavis Felsch and at 12-all, headed to the sheds full of optimism.
With five minutes remaining Souths trailed 24-18, but the Knights kicked late to seal the victory with a double to winger Sosaia Latu.
PANTHERS IN THRILLER
Penrith have edged out Melbourne 32-26 after trailing late in the second half.
The Storm had the better of the opening half and took a 20-16 lead to the sheds following a brace to electric fullback Hugo Peel.
With 20 to play, a try to sub Shalom Uatisone saw Melbourne play from in front at 26-22. But it was Penrith who finished the stronger, closing out the contest with four-pointers to Liam Perram and Zaid Lehn.
MAGPIES TAKE A HIT
Wests’ finals hopes remain on life support after the Magpies slumped to a 42-16 defeat against the unbeaten Roosters.
The Roosters exploded out of the blocks with tries to Tyreece Tait and prop Julius Mitchell, before Wests hit back through rising NRL star Tallyn Da Silva and Jack Nicholas to get within four-points at halftime.
However, it was all Sydney after the break as the Roosters added another five tries that included a double to centre Enzo Griffier.
EELS IN MUCH NEEDED WIN
Parramatta have notched its second straight win to remain in the finals race, outpointing Norths 36-16 in the final clash at Eric Tweedale Stadium.
Both sides slugged it out in an even opening stanza, before Devonte Vaivela struck late, snaring the first of his two tires to give Parramatta an 8-6 lead.
The Eels stepped it up after the break, racing away with five tries that included a double to classy prop Javahn Stevenson-Hala.
BIG SECOND HALF BY MANLY
Manly picked up its second win of the season, outclassing a winless Balmain 36-10 at Leichhardt Oval.
Jared Haywood opened Balmain’s account, but Manly headed to break leading 10-4 with tries to winger Gabe Stuart and Campbell Munn.
Manly eased through the gears in the second half, adding another four to finish the evening with six different try scorers. Centre Zachary Karam headed the list with two.
SHARKS STAGE COMEBACK
Cronulla has pulled off a comeback for the ages to snatch a 30-all draw with the Warriors in Pukekohe.
Trailing 30-6 early in the second half, the Sharks were able to score 24-straight points to come away with a point.
Richard Whalebone and Pharrell Gray both had doubles during the run.
BULLDOGS LAY BITE
Canterbury made it four-straight SG Ball wins in style with a huge 46-16 defeat of Illawarra at Hammondville.
The Bulldogs looked like a team possessed as they raced out to a 26-0 halftime lead over their fellow contenders.
Patrick Young came away with a second half double in the rout.
DRAGONS END RAIDERS SEASON
St George turned it on to put a stop to Canberra’s finals chances with a 54-16 drubbing at Forshaw Park.
Jesse Williams had a first half double as the Dragons put together a flawless first half to lead 36-6 at the break.
They went on with the job as the boot of Shadi Hammoud finished with a perfect nine conversions from as many attempts.
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