Editorial Exploration: Analysing NRL Match Results: Raiders vs Knights, Dragons vs Sea Eagles… Output: “NRL Match Report: Raiders Outplay Knights, Dragons Stun Sea Eagles in Thrilling Battle”

Sport NRL ScoreCentre: Raiders vs Knights, Dragons vs Sea Eagles, Panthers vs Sharks — live scores, stats and results

Sat 29 Jul 2023 at 4:37am

Updated Sat 29 Jul 2023 at 11:29am

Jarome Luai opened the scoring for Penrith in the fourth minute against the Sharks. (Getty Images: Jeremy Ng)

The Panthers notch win number 14 for the season with a one-sided victory over Cronulla at Penrith Stadium to finish off a big day of action. Earlier, Manly celebrated a milestone for 300-gamer Daly Cherry-Evans, with a win over St George Illawarra, after the Knights knocked off the Raiders in Canberra. Follow our ScoreCentre for all the live scores and stats.

Panthers vs Sharks

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Manly keep hopes alive, beating Dragons in the ‘Gong

Tolutau Koula scored the first of Manly’s four tries in a narrow win over the Dragons in Wollongong. (Getty Images: Izhar Khan)

Daly Cherry-Evans has celebrated his 300th NRL game with a lead role in Manly’s hoodoo-busting and season-saving 24-18 comeback victory over St George Illawarra in Wollongong. The Sea Eagles recovered from an 8-0 deficit and a dearth of first-half possession and territory to keep their finals hopes alive with their first win over the Dragons in Wollongong in 20 years.

Fittingly, Cherry-Evans was among the stars on Saturday. A month after guiding Queensland to back-to-back State of Origin series triumphs over NSW, the Manly and Maroons captain became the 49th player to join the 300-game club. But the veteran half-back is the first to play all 300 in the same position.

Typically, the 34-year-old delivered a playmaking masterclass, having a hand in three of the Sea Eagles’ four tries — including the first two to spark his side’s comeback. Cherry-Evans also chimed in with a vital captain’s challenge when Manly were under the pump early, down on the scoreboard and deep in defence trying to hold the Dragons out.

Now just one point out of the top eight, the Sea Eagles climbed above Parramatta into 10th spot on the ladder ahead of a crucial three-game stretch. They play the Sydney Roosters next Thursday night in another must-win encounter at the Sydney Cricket Ground before taking on premiers Penrith and the Warriors in successive tests on the road. Manly finish the regular season against lowly Canterbury and Wests Tigers and probably need to fashion four wins to make the finals.

Despite Saturday’s celebrations, the Sea Eagles’ win was anything but convincing. The second-last-placed Dragons threatened a boilover after establishing a deserved lead through a sixth-minute try to prop Francis Molo, the conversion and a penalty goal to Zac Lomax.

It took a long-range try against the run of play to centre Tolutau Koula to get Manly on the board in the 21st minute. Dragons hooker Jacob Liddle was sent for a HIA after playing the ball backwards in a costly blunder for the home side. In the ensuing set after the penalty, powerhouse second-rower Haumole Olakau’atu crashed over to give Manly the lead for the first time. Ironically, it was a heavy tackle from Olakau’atu that dazed Liddle, who was able to return to the fray for the second half.

Manly looked like running away with the match when fullback Reuben Garrick crossed a minute after the break and winger Jason Saab followed suit shortly after to give the Eagles a 22-6 buffer. But St George Illawarra set up a nailbiting finish with tries to centre Billy Burns and fullback Tyrell Sloan. Alas for Dragons fans, their side couldn’t pull the game out of the fire. Compounding their woes, forward Jack De Belin will come under scrutiny from the match review committee for a hip-drop tackle on Christian Tuipulotu, who was forced off after the incident with a torn MCL.

Knights too strong for Raiders in Canberra

Dominic Young scored two of Newcastle’s five tries in the Knights’ win over the Raiders in Canberra. (Getty Images: Mark Nolan)

Newcastle’s charge towards the NRL finals has continued with the Knights taking down Canberra 28-6 behind a scintillating performance from Kalyn Ponga. In their fourth straight win, the Knights led 26-0 on 50 minutes having capitalized on a deplorable first half from the Raiders to move within a point of the NRL’s top eight.

Star full-back Ponga looked his unstoppable best from the outset at Canberra Stadium, busting through the Raiders line in the first set of the game to establish the tempo for a majestic display that included a try, eight tackle busts, 165m and three line break assists. He sent a scare through Newcastle fans when sent for a head injury assessment on 60 minutes following a stray knee from Canberra winger Jordan Rapana, but the fullback passed his test and returned to the field.

The fourth time this season they have been beaten by 22 points or more at home, an insipid Raiders side missed 17 tackles in the first half alone to go with five errors and a lack of creativity in attack. They also couldn’t find any points despite a stack of possession inside the opposition’s 20m.

At least temporarily, the win moves Newcastle to ninth on the ladder and they will be eyeing off a top-eight spot in the next fortnight, with games against the Dolphins (12th) and Canterbury (16th). Ponga scored on seven minutes and assisted winger Dominic Young’s effort later in the first half, those moments sandwiching a Greg Marzhew try that capitalized on an acre of space left by Canberra’s poor defence.

Any thought of a trademark Raiders comeback was seemingly snuffed just two minutes into the second half, Ponga again creating a line break that ended with five-eighth Tyson Gamble making it 26-0. Rapana scored Canberra’s only try on 52 minutes, a rare piece of cohesive attacking football from the Raiders as they fell to a second straight defeat.

Teams are queuing up to replace them in the top eight, with four sides within three points of the fifth-ranked Raiders and their top-four hopes virtually extinguished in the last fortnight. Along with Ponga, Newcastle’s outside backs put in huge displays with Dane Gagai (197m), Marzhew (189m) and Young (132m) all carving up Canberra.

Editorial

The NRL matches between the Panthers and Sharks, Dragons and Sea Eagles, and Raiders and Knights showcased the excitement and drama that the sport of rugby league offers. Each match had its own story, with standout performances from players and teams as they fought for crucial victories.

The highlight of the day was Manly’s Daly Cherry-Evans celebrating his 300th NRL game with a pivotal role in the Sea Eagles’ comeback victory over St George Illawarra. Cherry-Evans, who played all 300 games in the same position, delivered a masterful display of playmaking, contributing to three of Manly’s four tries and leading his team to a much-needed win. His milestone achievement and exceptional performance serve as a testament to his skill, longevity, and leadership on the field.

Not to be overshadowed, Newcastle’s Kalyn Ponga put on a show in the Knights’ convincing win over Canberra. Ponga’s dynamic presence at full-back, highlighted by his try, tackle busts, and line break assists, was instrumental in Newcastle’s fourth straight victory. With their eyes set on a top-eight spot, the Knights continue to impress with their strong form, showcasing the potential for a deep run in the NRL finals.

Advice

As the season heads towards its climax, NRL fans can expect more thrilling matches and intense competition. Supporters of the Panthers, Sea Eagles, and Knights will want to keep a close eye on their teams’ performances as they fight for playoff spots. For Panthers fans, the team’s dominant win over the Sharks solidifies their standing as one of the top contenders for the premiership. Meanwhile, Sea Eagles fans can take comfort in Daly Cherry-Evans’ exceptional leadership and hope for a late-season surge into the finals. And for Knights fans, the team’s recent winning streak and Kalyn Ponga’s electrifying form give them reason to be optimistic about their chances in the upcoming matches.

With only a few rounds left in the regular season, every game becomes crucial for teams vying for playoff berths and higher ladder positions. The competition is fierce, and the margin for error is slim. NRL fans can expect more thrilling moments and unpredictable outcomes as the season reaches its climax.