NSWRL Junior Reps: Latest results from round three of Matthews, Fiaola, Ball, Gale Cup competitions
Thrilling comebacks and big guns standing tall at the death helped a number of contenders keep their unbeaten runs intact. Catch up on all the latest and results from NSWRL Junior Reps round three.
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Round three of the NSWRL Junior Reps is in the books.
Keep up to date with the latest results from around the grounds in the Harold Matthews, Lisa Fiaola, SG Ball and Tarsha Gale Cup competitions.
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Lisa Fiaola - Tarsha Gale - Harold Matthews - SG Ball
LISA FIAOLA
ROOSTERS UNABLE TO BE BREACHED
The great wall of the Central Coast remained intact as the Roosters brought up their third game in a row without conceding a try in a 50-2 win over St George.
They showed why they are so tough to break down, shutting the Dragons out while running in 10 tries of their own.
It took seven minutes to get the ball rolling, but once they did they were able to pile on five tries before the break to lead 28-0.
Coco Butcher stepped up with a double soon after the break to take her tally to three to keep things ticking over as they went on to claim another dominant victory.
BULLDOGS OPEN THE FLOODGATES
Canterbury took longer than usual to get going against Illawarra, but once they clicked into gear it was an avalanche of points for the Bulldogs who made it three straight after their 42-4 victory.
Both sides arrived at Hammondville Oval unbeaten, and after an even opening Canterbury converted a scrappy lead up into first points when centre Lala Vaea crossed in the 17th minute.
With their tails up, the Bulldogs then struck in waves. Grace Macgregor stormed across shortly after, and they added another in the left corner to winger Leevi Williams before Vaea crossed for her second to make it 20-0 at the break.
A succession of Illawarra handling errors was all the hungry Bulldogs needed to keep piling on the points. Interchange forward Elouise Maher scored the first of Canterbury’s four second half tries, while centre Holly Czornobej put the Steelers on the board in the closing minutes.
KNIGHTS HIT BACK
Newcastle did it the hard way at Belconnen, overcoming a halftime deficit to sink Canberra 22-14.
Up 14-0 after 21 minutes, the Raiders were perfectly placed to land their first victory. Ocean Kaiwai-Rangikauhata struck in the first minute, and with all the momentum they added another two tries via centre Jayda Cook and winger Evie Perry.
Then the points suddenly dried up as the visitors slowly got on top. Backrower Sienna
Brumby crossed for the Knights’ first minutes before the interval and they kept the momentum going with three unanswered tries after the break.
Scarlet Hagan pounced first, and was followed across the line by Breanna Rawlins and Rubie Drake-Brockman.
TIGERS DENY PANTHERS
Penrith’s afternoon couldn’t have started worse, with Talia Afungia sent to the sin bin for a professional foul and Saige Tautalafua crossing for the Tigers all inside three minutes.
They soon hit back through Aayliah Womal catching the defenders out at marker, and soon after it was Isabella Ferguson who scooted past three defenders to give the Panthers the lead.
That lead didn’t last long as Mia Tonga sliced through the line and drew the fullback to put Tautalafua over with ease, only for Betsy Fifta to edge Penrith ahead 14-12 at the break.
The start to the second half was all the Tigers, with a double from Alavina Tu’ifua helping them to a 28-20 advantage with 10 to play.
Tia-Jane Golding’s second try gave the Panthers a fighting hope in the final minutes, but the Tigers held solid.
EELS OVERCOME MANLY
Parramatta maintained a share of top spot on the Fiaola standings after overcoming a Manly challenge to win 28-20.
Parramatta looked like they were in a mood when Deja Vaivela and Kaizen Morgan-Pritchard helped them race out to a 12-0 scoreline in the opening 10 minutes.
Manly wouldn’t surrender however, with a double to Maude Moon Havea getting them back to within two at halftime.
The Eels found another gear when they needed to, with Mitszy Cairns’ second of the day and another to Teagan Nicholas pushing them out by 14.
TARSHA GALE
BULLDOGS KNOCK OFF PREMIERS
Canterbury has rocketed to Tarsha Gale favouritism after downing defending premiers Illawarra 22-20 in a thriller at Hammondville.
The Bulldogs scored twice through Tia’ane Tavita Fesolai and Simina Lokotui to lead 8-0 before the Steelers could touch the ball, and added another two to lead by 18-0 at halftime.
Tori Shipton and Rhian Yeo helped steady the ship for the Steelers and bring them back to within eight, before Kiana Vatubua pushed it back out to 12 with 10 to play.
Illawarra fought back hard, firstly through Trinity Tauaneai and then Siulolo Richter, giving them a chance to tie the game in the dying stages.
The conversion from the last try was waved away, giving the Bulldogs a perfect 3-0 start to 2025.
ROOSTERS BLITZ
A three-try blitz in the space of nine minutes proved the difference as the Sydney Roosters got the better of an improving Dragons 24-8 at Jubilee Stadium.
In an otherwise even contest, the Roosters turned the match on its head with three consecutive tries as they opened a 14-0 halftime lead.
Manisha Seebeck struck first, the elusive winger beating her opposite on the outside with a slashing effort in the fifth minute. Hooker Mahlie Cashin dived across six minutes later, and it became 14-0 in as many minutes when centre Tyra Ekepati raced across untouched.
St George scored twice after the break through Malu-Sianne Auda and Ana Ahmat, but the Tricolours added two of their own to record their second win.
KNIGHTS OVERPOWER RAIDERS
Newcastle has proven too much for Canberra to handle, coming out on top 34-8 at Belconnen.
The Raiders started best when stand-in fullback Ella Kelly opened the scoring, but from that point onwards the Knights took full control.
A 12-4 halftime margin quickly ballooned out to 26-4 just nine minutes into the second half as the visitors made inroads out wide.
Taylah-Jane Belcher put the exclamation mark on the win by completing her double 10 minutes from full-time.
TIGERS TOO STRONG FOR PANTHERS
Wests Tigers are flexing their muscles in the Tarsha Gale Cup, this time scoring a 26-4 win over Penrith.
Early possession belonged to the Tigers and they capitalised with Sienna-Mae Montgomery slicing through the line and Tiresa Leasuasu barging her way over to open up a 12-0 break.
Julie Notise hit back for the home side, only for Elenoa Namua to keep the Tigers ahead 16-4 heading into the second half.
Penrith attacked early in the second half, but they found themselves further behind when Chaela-Lee Falls took an intercept, fended off two defenders and ran 89m to score the try of the game.
By the time Namua notched her second of the game the Tigers had locked up their third win of the year.
EELS DROP THE HAMMER
Parramatta surged to a perfect 3-0 record with a comprehensive XXXX defeat of Manly at Eric Tweedale Stadium.
The Eels were on from the opening whistle as Aaliyah Soufan and Jessamine Aloalii shot them out to 12-0 as they beat the clock early.
Aloalii had her double soon after, and by the time Armarni-Lea Auvae crossed they held an assertive 22-0 advantage at the break.
The Eels came out of the sheds firing and when Fontayne Tufuga and Matoisha Kalepo added themselves to the scorers list the margin ballooned out to 32.
Indiana Russell-Lia restored some pride for Manly, but it was too little too late.
HAROLD MATTHEWS
RABBITOHS ON THE MARCH
South Sydney raised its hand as a serious title contender after the Rabbitohs downed the unbeaten Magpies 22-8 at Kirkham Park.
In a contest worthy of a top of the table clash, it was the Magpies who struck first when fullback Thomas Goodfield sent James Lanyon into the left corner.
Just as the home side looked like taking a slender 4-0 lead to the sheds, Ziggy Lester steamed onto a magic pass from five-eighth Payton Tarau to level the scores.
Wests kicked off the second half with a fumble, and in the next set replacement hooker Charlie Bateup dived across to give Souths a six-point buffer. And it quickly became 12 when the No. 14 swooped on his own charge down and raced 60 metres.
Lanyon closed the gap to eight with his second, but hopes of a Wests comeback nosedived when hooker Brock Achurch was sent off following a touch judge report with seven minutes to play.
In the next set, backrower Anthony Mailangi iced the Rabbitohs’ third straight win, slicing through to score his side’s fourth try.
PANTHERS FIRST STRIKE
Penrith have opened their account in style, coming from behind to edge out Newcastle 22-14.
Coming off consecutive losses, the Panthers headed to Windsor for a must win clash but immediately found themselves in hot water after the Knights crossed through Callum Elsley and Chip Valentish to lead 8-0.
They fell further behind when prop Ashton Allen increased the margin to 14 after the break.
But with the final four tries, Penrith cruised to an unexpected victory. Jaylin Moran added the first of a precession that lasted 15 minutes.
Centre Cornelius Pupualii scored the go-ahead try before former Manly hooker put the result to bed with four minutes to play.
TIGERS LAUNCH LATE
Two tries in the final seven minutes have gifted Balmain its first win of the U17s season, defeating Canterbury 18-16 at Leichhardt Oval.
The Bulldogs were in control of the contest at 18-6 before Mikal Papalii-Talanai was sent to the sin bin.
Balmain crossed through Riley Fong while they had the one-man advantage, setting up a grandstand finish.
That finish went the way of the Tigers after Jarrod Kanaan shrugged off three defenders to reach out and score in the corner, setting up a sideline conversion to win the game.
Winger Benjamin Lawerence stepped up to the plate and hit it sweetly, raising the flags to seal a memorable win.
CENTRAL COAST COMES FROM BEHIND
The Central Coast Roosters put together an impressive second half to narrowly down St George 18-14 at Kogarah.
Jasaias Ah Kee put the Dragons in front early as they chased successive wins, only for Carter Mareko to respond soon after.
The Dragons held a slight 10-6 advantage at the break, before the Roosters found their groove.
Flynn Wilson and Corbin Devaney scored back-to-back tries to give the visitors an eight-point margin, before Phoenix Johns hit back.
The Dragons couldn’t land a killer blow, and Devaney scored in the final seconds to bring up a double and secure the win.
STEELERS HOLD OFF RAIDERS
Illawarra continued its perfect start to the U17s season by holding out a late Raiders charge 26-24.
An action-packed first half saw the two teams combine for six tries, with the boot of Tayler Humphries proving the difference, kicking two goals to help the Steelers lead 16-12.
Early pressure in the second half told for the Steelers, as back-rower Jezaiah Charles proved too strong out of dummy half to put the Raiders ahead.
They didn’t hold the lead long, as Jett Brookfield put a lovely cutout on the chest of Cooper Morrison who in turn found Jaxon Ballinger on his outside to score.
Just as the Steelers got back in the game, Halaapiapi Amone was sent to the sin bin for a high shot.
They didn’t let it deter them, with Oliver Burton producing a scintillating 55m solo effort to break through defenders and step the opposition fullback to give the lead back to Illawarra.
With time winding down Canberra needed a hero and it was Kuluni Vaipuna who answered the call, scoring in the corner.
It gave Kye Anderson a chance to tie the game from the sideline. His kick looked good, but fell agonisingly short.
BEARS KEEP IMPROVING
North Sydney continued its impressive start to the Harold Matts season with a convincing 36-24 defeat of Melbourne at Kenthurst.
The Bears shot out of the blocks through Noah Tafengatoto inside four minutes and took full control with a dominant first half leading them to a 22-0 buffer.
Two quick tries to the Storm to Malachai Taupau and Jactin Samaeli had them back within three converted tries, but that resistance was quickly thwarted as Isaac Khoudair reached out in the corner to extend the margin.
Max Tovaka scored twice in quick succession to again bring the Storm within eight, but it was Byron Carragher who slammed the door shut on any miracle comeback.
CRONULLA WINS AT THE DEATH
Cronulla scored twice in the final nine minutes to steal a Harold Matts victory from Parramatta 22-20.
Cobi McCloskey navigated his way to the tryline with speed and evasiveness to give Parramatta a dream start, but they were soon pegged back as Cruz Parkin hit a hole at speed.
The finishing prowess of McCloskey was again on show, firstly stepping through defenders and then catching a bomb to complete his hat-trick inside the opening 20 minutes.
With the half coming to a close, it was Parkin who got the Sharks back into the game, carrying four defenders over the line to send them into the sheds down 16-10.
Parkka Perrotta-Dowling made it a 10-point game midway through the second half, before the Sharks launched late.
It started with Thomas Stepic surging from metres out and was finished with Brodie Johnsen scoring in the corner and Liam Challenor slotting the clutch conversion for the win.
SG BALL
ROOSTERS SURGE TO BREAK DRAGONS’ HEARTS
A stunning second half comeback has kept the unbeaten run of the Roosters intact, prevailing 14-12 over St George at Henson Park.
Desperate to come out firing, the Dragons did just that courtesy of Samuel Mardini who got them on the board inside four minutes.
An arm wrestle ensued for the next 20, before it was Zac Nachar who extended the margin to 12, a lead St George would take into the break.
The Roosters needed a spark to start the second half and that was delivered with a swift backline movement finding Brooklyn Heath to cross out wide in the opening three minutes, with Tyson Walker nailing the sideline conversion.
It was the boot of Walker that led to a second - forcing a dropped ball with a bomb. From the ensuing scrum the Roosters needed just one play with some nice footwork from Heath nabbing his second to cut it back to two with 20 remaining.
Just as the Dragons looked to have sealed it with Nachar’s second, an obstruction in the lead-up was spotted by the far-side touch judge, setting up a thrilling final period.
It didn’t take long for the Roosters to respond and take their first lead with nine minutes to play, as Lui Lee created space in a tight pocket and bamboozled the defence to touch down in the corner.
TIGERS LAUNCH MASSIVE COMEBACK
Balmain have come from behind to run over the top of Manly 32-22 at Leichhardt Oval, extending their unbeaten start to three matches.
Winger Filipe Huahulu dashed over early for the Tigers before Manly hit back with three tries, the last from Onitoni Large extending the margin to 18-4.
In the shadows of halftime, the Tigers returned serve with a try from a deft Tyler Birnie kick. It was the injection of confidence they needed, and they came out roaring after the break, adding four in succession to put the result beyond doubt at 32-18.
Blake Van Drie brushed through soft defence to score the first. They hit the front when Cohen Benson threw a pinpoint cut-out pass and jumped ten clear when the five-eighth grubber kicked for another.
GOW LIFTS KNIGHTS HOME
Aidan Gow made it seven tries over the space of two weeks after his hat-trick helped Newcastle take down Penrith 26-14 at Windsor.
The game was in the balance at 18-14 with under 10 minutes to play when Gow, hot off the back of a four-try effort last weekend, went over in the corner for his third of the afternoon to seal the win.
Cedric Peti Tafola gave the Panthers the perfect start inside the opening five minutes, before the Knights hit back with three tries in the space of 11 minutes to put them in front 14-10 at the break.
The win is Newcastle’s first of the season in U19s.
DOGS CLAIM VITAL NZ WIN
Canterbury made it back-to-back wins after shrugging off a slow start to take down the Warriors 42-22 in New Zealand.
Connor Bowden and Hiraka Waitai-Haenga had the Warriors in front 10-0 early on in their first home game of the season, before the Bulldogs responded in style with four-consecutive tries to surge ahead 24-10.
Lifting in front of their fans, Te Paeroa Wi Neera inched them closer and Bowden’s second turned it into a real contest, before the Bulldogs lifted another gear over the closing 12 minutes.
Livewire fullback Jai Callaghan secured his second, with Alex Conti and Paul Johnson putting the finishing touches on an impressive showing.
RABBITOHS REMAIN UNDEFEATED
South Sydney’s dream SG Ball start continued as they knocked off Western Suburbs 40-22 at Kirkham Oval.
The two sides traded blows throughout the first half, as a Cody Hill double helped the Rabbitohs go into the sheds tied at 16-all.
Lochlin Moses posted a double in the space of four minutes to give the visitors the upper hand, before Heamasi Makasini’s second of the morning kept the Magpies in the hunt.
That would be as close as they would get, as Yasin Kuscu continued his hot form and Hill secured his hat-trick to keep Souths on top of the ladder.
RAIDERS PRODUCE IN MATCH OF THE ROUND
Canberra took down Illawarra in a battle of the undefeated teams, prevailing 34-20.
The Raiders got the jump on the Steelers with Luke Cannon and Mahonri Tiotala going back-to-back to propel them to a 12-0 lead as they raced the clock.
Illawarra found its groove and hit back through Charles Heidke and Saifiti Junior Saifiti to bring it back to two, with the Raiders offside from the ensuing kick-off.
They recovered, and then extended their advantage as big front rower Jesse Milin found a gap close to the line to score his fifth try of the season.
That margin became 12 in the opening two minutes of the second half as Jamie Cowling toed a loose ball in the direction of Cooper Johnston to touch down out wide.
It was soon just six once again as Heidke burst through the defence and got the offload away for Kade Reed to score.
This time it was Reed’s turn to set Heidke up, with the half putting the centre into open space to race 40m and bring the Steelers back to within two.
Just as the Steelers built momentum, Milin came up with a key play to put the Raiders in front by eight, playing at the line and finding Alex Hardy.
Cannon put the finishing touches with a late try to seal the double and Canberra’s third win of 2025.
STORM SECURES FIRST WIN
The Storm put together their best showing off the season to knock off North Sydney 46-16.
Melbourne put on a show early that the home side had no answers for, starting with big Kobi Floro barging over defenders to score in the opening 90 seconds.
Then it was the Lockyer-Azile Foliola show, scooting over from dummy half and then setting up Micah Warena to open up a 16-0 lead.
The Bears were able to hit back to give themselves a shot at halftime, with Silaumuaoaana Talaese Fomai scoring in the shadows of the break to have them down 22-12.
Melbourne quickly took control of the game once again, with Edwards Lyons and Phoenix Woods going over in short order to put the game away.
EELS SECURE LATE WIN
Parramatta scored twice in the final six minutes to take an unlikely 22-18 win over Cronulla.
Lorima Rokosuka showed his pace down the touchline to open the scoring, but the Eels dropped it on the very next tackle, gifting Cronulla a chance they took through Thomas Dellow to hit straight back.
It wasn’t long after that the Sharks had the lead, with a Callum Grantham flick finding Dallas Blackburn-Kingi to fall over the line.
The two traded blows early in the second half, first with Wesley Pakoti to put the Eels in front, before Alex Challenor crossed to give the Sharks a 16-12 lead with 15 to play.
A scum play 10m out saw the Eels bring out a trick play, with a flying Rokosuka touching down just before going out to cut it to two.
Minutes later they spread it to the other side, as Dominic Farrugia got outside his man to score the winning try.
Originally published as NSWRL Junior Reps: Latest results from round three of Matthews, Fiaola, Ball, Gale Cup competitions
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