Tough Road trips for Pathways Teams in Round Two

The South Sydney Rabbitohs senior pathways teams had tough road trips to the Illawarra in round two of their respective competitions, going down to the Dragons in both the NSW Cup and Jersey Flegg Cup matches on Saturday.

The Rabbitohs’ NSW Cup team lost 30 points to 18 against the Dragons at WIN Stadium, despite a try scoring double to centre Carson Kaho.

The Dragons jumped out to a 16-nil lead midway through the first half before Kaho scored his first try in the 29th minute. Six minutes later, halfback Lewis Dodd scored a fantastic individual try, dummying and creating a gap for himself close to the line, charging over his first points in a South Sydney jersey.

The Dragons extended their lead early in the second half before the Rabbitohs truck back through Kaho’s second try, but two further tries to the home side sealed the win at Win Stadium.

For the Rabbitohs, second rowers Jacob Host and Thomas Fletcher were the leaders of the forward pack, with hooker Ryan Gray and interchange forward TJ Toevai also contributing strongly to the performance. Fullback Terrell Kalo Kalo played his first game after string of long-term injuries, and performed well in first hit out in almost two years.

St George Illawarra Dragons 30 defeated South Sydney Rabbitohs 18 (Carson Kaho 2, Lewis Dodd tries; Ashton Ward 3 goals)

The Rabbitohs Jersey Flegg Cup under 21s men’s team fell just short against the Dragons at Figtree’s Collegians Sporting Complex, going down 22 points to 18.

The Rabbitohs trailed 16-nil at half time and 22-6 midway through the second half, before mounting a comeback which fell just short.

Replacement half Sam Taylor scored the first of his two tries in the 46th minute, followed by a try to the Dragons to restore their 16-point advantage. Prop Mateus Heslin scored with ten minutes left on the clock, followed by Taylor’s second four-pointer to reduce the deficit to four points.

The Rabbitohs had a couple of attacking opportunities over the final five minutes but the Dragons were able to scramble in defence and shut down South Sydney to hold on for a win at home.

Backrowers Joshua Alhazim, Ben Geary and lock Yehya Ayache led the way for South Sydney throughout the morning with centre Mark Nosa looking the most dangerous for the Rabbitohs.

St George Illawarra Dragons 22 defeated South Sydney Rabbitohs 18 (Sam Taylor 2, Mateus Heslin tries; Nicholas Quinn 2, Brent Hawkins goals)