Junior rep finals: Raiders cause Harry Matts upset, Knights win Tarsha Gale thriller

The Canberra Raiders Harold Matts caused the biggest upset in week one of the junior representative finals while the Knights edged a thriller against the Tarsha Gale reigning premiers.

A Josh Papalii clone has inspired Canberra to a finals boilover in the NSWRL, knocking out highly-rated Penrith from the Harold Matthews Cup.

Big man Mathias Tomuli-Ah-Kuoi powered the Raiders to a 24-18 triumph at Ringrose Park, setting up a semi-final against minor premiers Western Suburbs.

Tomuli-Ah-Kuoi stunned the Panthers with a try in third minute, with second-rower Jed Reardon also crossing to give the underdogs a six-point lead at halftime.

Raiders front rower Mathias Tomuli-Ah-Kuoi dominated the Panthers through the middle.Picture: Richard Dobson

Penrith pushed back in the second half, but Canberra held on for an impressive upset.

“The fact we weren’t awesome today, but we’ve still come away with a decent performance, that gives us a little bit of confidence,” said Raiders coach Peter Marrapodi.

“Really it’s just the first of three games that we’ve set ourselves to win. So it doesn’t really mean much until we win next week and the week after.”

The other semi-final will be between the Sharks and the second-placed Roosters, after Cronulla thumped Parramatta 28-4 in St Marys.

There was another shock result in the SG Ball Cup, with the sixth-placed Bulldogs eliminating Balmain 16-14. Canterbury fullback Joash Papalii bagged a double.

The Dogs will meet the Sydney Roosters, while the Panthers will face the Knights after they proved too good for Illawarra in an 18-point win.

Panthers outclassed the Steelers in the SG Ball Cup.Picture: Richard Dobson

While most eyes were on Penrith halfback and Dolphins signing Isaiya Katoa, lock Mason Teague was arguably best on field in what was just his second game back from a broken jaw.

The Panthers lost 32-18 against Newcastle in the final round.

“They were filthy on themselves [after losing to the Knights], and rightly so,” Panthers coach Scott Thompson said.

“Newcastle were the better side on the day, there was no taking away from them, we missed out opportunities. But you live and learn, and we got it right today.

“[Teague] was impressive. He had a broken jaw after round 2 and he had a run back last week, he needed the run.

“And Isaiya, our half, was back last week too, but you can see with another week of training they’re back to where they need to be.”

In the Tarsha Gale Cup, defending premiers St George are out after a losing in a thriller against the Knights.

The Dragons were 22-8 down with 18 minutes to play, but fought back to within two with five minutes remaining.

St George had a chance to win on the final play, with no.1 Cassey Tohi-Hiku spreading the ball wide only for her stray pass to be put down by Courageous Afoa.

Newcastle’s Jules Kirkpatrick breaking away for a second-half try against St George.Picture: Richard Dobson

The Knight will face the Eels next weekend, while the undefeated Roosters Indigenous Academy will go up against the Wests Tigers who ground out an 8-4 win against the Steelers.

Illawarra winger Lilli O’Dea opened the scoring in just the third minute, but they were to be the only points in an error-riddled afternoon for the favourites.

Tigers winger Maraia Rorocla and second-rower Imogen Gobran crossed either side of halftime to steer the Tigers into the second week of the finals.

“The Steelers are always a tough side,” Tigers head of coaching David Fauonuku said.

“You don’t win two of these things for no reason, we knew it was going to be a tight affair.”

The semi finals will be held at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium in Kogarah next Saturday.

Originally published as Junior rep finals: Raiders cause Harry Matts upset, Knights win Tarsha Gale thriller