Munro seals a South Sydney premiership four decades in the making

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The South Sydney Rabbitohs have claimed their first reserve grade title in 40 years after defeating foundation rivals the North Sydney Bears 22-18 in the 2023 Knock-On Effect Cup Grand Final.

Sealing their 21st reserve grade premiership with a try to 18-year-old winger Tyrone Munro with minutes left on the clock, the victory will see the Rabbitohs face the Brisbane Tigers in the State Championship next Sunday.

Going close to opening the scoring only for returning front-rower Terrell May to be held up over the line, the decision to run the ball down the blind side paid dividends for the Bears with Alfred Smalley (7th minute) diving over for first points.

The Rabbitohs worked their way into the contest by building pressure and were rewarded with Shaquai Mitchell (16th minute) barging over from close range.

Regaining the lead after an error from Tom Carr presented the Bears with a scrum in pristine attacking position, Jesse Marschke (27th minute) produced a dazzling solo run to score next to the posts.

Dean Hawkins demonstrated the skills that saw him named NSWRL Player of the Year earlier in the week with well-placed grubber that allowed Ethan O'Neill (34th minute) to strike late in the half.

The Rabbitohs looked to go further ahead through Jacob Gagai only for the try to be overturned due to interference; a penalty goal to Kieran Hayman with seconds remaining in the half saw North Sydney level the scores at 12-all.

Striking a blow after halftime with former North Sydney outside Tom Carr (51st minute) finishing off a left-side shift to touch down for his 16th try of the season, South Sydney fullback Blake Taaffe inspired his side with a brutal tackle on his opposite number Josh Bergamin to the delight of more than 10,000 supporters in attendance at Commbank Stadium.

Aiming to win their first reserve grade title since 1993, North Sydney forward Reuben Porter (69th minute) managed to get the ball down underneath the posts before Hayman converted from in front to give the Bears a two-point lead.

In his final match for South Sydney before joining Canterbury-Bankstown next season, Taaffe, named Player of the Match, produced a premiership-clinching pass that allowed Munro (76th minute) to seal a victory four decades in the making.

Next week, the South Sydney Rabbitohs will face the Brisbane Tigers in the State Championship in the first match on NRL Grand Final day at Accor Stadium.

RELATED: See the full list of 2023 NSWRL Knock-On Effect NSW Cup Draw and Results.

South Sydney Rabbitohs 22 North Sydney Bears 18
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Parramatta / Burramattagal
Date: Sunday 24 September 2023 at 3:00pm

South Sydney Rabbitohs (22)
Tries: Shaquai Mitchell, Ethan O'Neill, Tom Carr, Tyrone Munro
Goals: Dean Hawkins (3/4)
Field Goals:

North Sydney Bears (18)
Tries: Alfred Smalley, Jesse Marschke, Reuben Porter
Goals: Kieran Hayman (3/4)
Field Goals:

RELATED: Click here to view the final NSWRL Knock-On Effect NSW Cup ladder.

EARLIER

Jersey Flegg 2023 Grand Final
Canterbury 22 Sydney 20
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Parramatta / Burramattagal
Date: Sunday 24 September 2023 at 1:00pm

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (22)
Tries: Jordi Mazzone 2, Danny Gabrael, Harry Hayes
Goals: Joash Papalii 3/4

Sydney Roosters (20)
Tries: Xavier Chatfield-Mooka 2, Tayson Fakaosi, Salesi Foketi
Goals: Cassius Tia 2/4

Presidents Cup 2023 Grand Final
Maitland Pickers 32 St Marys 10
Venue: Commbank Stadium, Parramatta / Burramattagal
Date: Sunday 24 September 2023 at 11:00am

St Marys (10)
Tries: Todd Sapienza, Christian Crichton
Goals: Jake Rafferty-Butfield 1

Maitland Pickers (32)
Tries: James Bradley 2, Matthew Soper-Lawler, Lincoln Smith, Gary Anderson
Goals: Brock Lamb 6