Senior Pathways Wrap Round 1: Cup and Flegg Hit the Field

by Claire Stegbauer, NSWRL.com.au

The St George Illawarra Dragons kicked off their 2025 NSW Cup campaign with an at-home win against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium. 

The visitors opened the scoring first, with Taniela Otukolo powering over after a strong set, then converted by Taye Cochrane for a 6-0 lead. 

The Dragons struggled to find their rhythm in the red zone, but a moment of brilliance from Tyrell Sloan turned the tide. Spotting a gap, Sloan sliced through the defence and sprinted 80 metres to score, Jonah Glover adding the extras to level at 6-6.

The Bulldogs had an opportunity to extend their lead, with Jordi Mazzone diving over, only for a try-saving tackle to deny him. Moments later, Mazzone got his revenge, crossing off a cut-out pass to push the Bulldogs ahead 10-6 after a missed conversion. 

Under pressure, the Dragons slipped up, allowing Bulldogs debutant Jethro Rinakama to extend the lead to 14-6. The Dragons had a late chance before halftime but couldn’t capitalise, trailing 14-6 at the break.

The Dragons came out firing in the second half, with Cody Ramsey collecting a high ball on the try line and breaking away. He linked up with Sloan, who finished off the play to cut the deficit to 14-10.

The Bulldogs fumbled the restart, and the Dragons pounced, forcing multiple errors and earning a string of penalties. Corey Allan muscled his way over to level the score at 14-all. 

With unstoppable momentum, halfback Jonah glovers squeezed his way through the defensive pack and over the line, making it three tries in quick succession for the home team. Again off target with an unsuccessful conversion 18-14.

Jacob Halangahu snags a try of his own with the Bulldogs' defence struggling against the Dragons' newfound fiery attack, Cody Ramsey finds the angle, and they finally add the extras, bringing the score to 24-14 

Canterbury refused to go away, and Cassius Tia’s slick hands sent Rinakama over for his second, reducing the margin to 24-20 after a successful conversion. But the moment the crowd had been waiting for arrived soon after—Ramsey backed himself in an aerial stunt and landed for his first try in over two years, sending the stadium into a frenzy.

In the final moments, Lyhkan King-Togia broke through the line, setting up Finau Latu to score, giving the Dragons a 34-20 lead. The Bulldogs responded with a late push, and Tia crossed for a try, converting it to make it 34-26. However, their last effort fell short, securing a season-opening win for the Dragons.

Talking Points 

• Tyrell Sloan played a pivotal role, scoring two tries and providing a spark in attack throughout the match.
• Jethro Rinakama was a standout for the Bulldogs, scoring a double and keeping his side in the game, but despite his efforts, they couldn’t catch up with the Dragons in the second half.
• Bulldogs forward Jacob Webster was placed on report for a dangerous tackle, and depending on the severity of the charge, he may miss an upcoming game, which would be a blow to the Bulldogs' forward pack.

Key Moment  

A key moment in this game was Cody Ramsey remarkable comeback after being sidelined for 896 days due to a battle with chronic bowel disease.

In his long-awaited return, he truly shined. Ramsey confidently handled numerous high kicks, gathering them with ease, and delivered an incredible runaway try assist.

He also scored a spectacular aerial try and successfully converted, marking a triumphant debut performance and an inspirational story for all NRL fans.

What's Next?

The Dragons will face the Rabbitohs at WIN Stadium in Wollongong next Saturday at 12:40 PM, looking to build on their season-opening victory. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs will host the North Sydney Bears at home in Belmore, aiming to bounce back from their narrow defeat.

Jersey Flegg Cup: Bulldogs 34 def Dragons 22, Silktails 6 def by Eels 26

The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs started their title defence with a high-scoring victory over the Dragons, with a 34-22 win at Ziems Park in Wollongong.

The youngsters started with a bang with centre-wing pairing Jope Rauqe and Cooper Toy touching down in the opening five minutes, before five-eighth Bronson Reuben touched down soon after for an 18-nil lead after 15 minutes.

While the Dragons responded, it wouldn't be long before Toy bagged his second, before forward Logan Spinks touched down for a dominant 28-6 lead at the break.

While their opponents scored three tries in the second half to close the defecit by six with less than fifteen left on the clock, a four-pointer to William Afualo sealed the result. 

Meanwhile, the Kaiviti Silktails made an unexpected 12-hour drive to dodge Cyclone Alfred but they managed to get to Sydney in time to play the Parramatta Eels.

Coach Timoci Duve said it was not the ideal preparation but his players took it all in their stride even though they went down 26-6 at Hammondville Oval.

The Silktails have been in a month-long training camp on the Gold Coast, where they won both pre-season trial matches against Queensland Samoa and the Redcliffe Dolphins.

As the tropical cyclone moved towards the coast, the team sent its gear bus to Sydney a day early on Wednesday with the team due to fly out on Thursday. But Coolangatta Airport closed so the gear bus returned and brought all the players down by road.

The Silktails tried to hire a commercial coach but nothing was available.

The Eels-Silktails match was played in drizzly conditions, which led to poor handling from both sides. The Silktails also made things hard for themselves with a low completion rate.

Parramatta scored first-half tries to lock Saxon Pryke, hooker Jack Hudson and winger Bradley Avery for a 16-0 halftime lead.

Silktails centre Asalusi Nagicu crossed in the 52nd minute (16-6) but then Parramatta’s left-side winger Araz Nanva and back rower Domenico De Stradis put the result beyond doubt. Halfback Josh Lynn kicked three conversions.

The Silktails didn’t win a game in the 2024 Jersey Flegg Cup season – their first in the Under 21s competition – but they lost five by less than six points.

Today after fulltime players from both teams embraced at the end of the game, while the Silktails players sang a hymn of gratitude.”

The Silktails are proudly supported by the Australian Government through PacificAus Sports. PacificAus Sports creates opportunities for Australian and Pacific athletes to learn, train, play, and grow together.