Wentworthville Magpies v Newcastle Knights – ISP trial, kick off at 4:45pm
1. Anthony Layoun
2. Atini Gafa
3. Nathan Davis
4. Dane Aukafolau
5. Eddie Aiono
6. Dylan Izzard
7. Kauri Appouri
8. Andy Saunders
9. Kaysa Pritchard
10. Magnus Stromquist
11. David Gower
12. Marata Niukore
13. Ray Stone
Interchange
14. Reed Mahoney
15. Sam Gorman
16. Zach Nicholls
17. Haimona Hiroti
18. Matt Woods
19. Nathan Milone
20. Daniel Dole
21. Pio Sokobavalu
22. Nick Kassis
23. Josh Minhinnick
25. Jermain Mati-Lefi
26. Epa Navale Jnr

Late Mail

TBC

 

Nathan Cayless and his men will play the second match of the day as they conclude their preseason by locking horns with the Newcastle Knights. The Wentworthville Magpies played out a tense 12-all draw with the North Sydney Bears in their first trial and will be looking to better gel their combinations across the spine as they move towards Round 1. I will bring you all the blow-by-blow details of the game at 4:45PM, see you there!

 

First Half

 

Wenty will receive the ball in the first half. Saunders carts it up from the kickoff. Wide to Ray Stone as he comes back in field. Loose pass to Marata but he does well to bring it in. Layoun completes the set with a bomb that is easily taken near the Newcastle line.

No frills response from Newcastle but a superb last tackle kick flips the field position as the ball is marked 10m off our line. Aiono and Aukafolau cart it up before Stromquist has a run. Izzard finds touch with his kick and the scrum is set ~20m off Newcastle’s line.

First penalty of the game goes to the Knights. Shame as it came off a clearly dominant tackle but the ref wanted the defenders off faster it seems.

Wenty holding on to the line for dear life but Dylan Izzard struggles two tackles in a row and the second time around proves costly as Brock Lamb spins through the tackled attempt to score.

 

Try scored by Brock Lamb. Conversion unsuccessful.

Knights lead 4-0

 

Strong set from Newcastle as they work their way into position for an attacking kick. NEwcastle go up for the ball but spill it right into the arms of Dane Aukafolau.

Wenty surge upfield as Kaysa Pritchard slices through up the middle! Spectacular run from the rake and he finds Andy Saunders in support. A penalty should have come there but we settle for a line drop out.

Some nice hands from Aukafolau in the next set as he links up with Aiono. Wenty pick up a penalty as they head back infield. Wenty play the short game around the ruck for the opening tackles. They spin the ball to the right where Aiono comes back in field. Izzard kicks to the left where he looks for Davis. The towering centre climbs the sky to contest the ball and somehow comes down with it to plant it down under serious duress. Plenty of question marks over the grounding if I am being perfectly honest.

 

Try scored by Nathan Davis. Conversion successful by Davis.

Wenty lead 6-4

 

Here we go! New tricks coming out of the bag as Kaysa puts in a terrific kick to move play downfield! With Cameron King ahead of him in the pecking order it looks like Pritchard is doing everything he can to stay in touch.

Newcastle kick it out on the full in reply. Big chance for Wenty. Some second phase play for Wenty as they work left to right to left but it comes undone on the next play as the grubber kick is picked up and returned with heaps of interest. A ranging run of a good 70m ends up with Nathan Davis making a great defensive play to flip around a 2-on-1 and make the tackle. Play grinds to a halt for an injured Knight.

An error from Newcastle after play resumes. Dane Aukafolau earns a penalty off a strong carry and Wenty find touch on halfway.

Newcastle survive the raid as they clean up the grubber kick in the field of play once again. An error from Wenty on their kick gifts them a fresh set and they make the most of it. They work the ball to their left and Aukafolau jams in looking to prevent a big overlap from developing but he misses his man and the cutout ball creates an easy try in the corner. Newcastle back in front.

 

Try scored by Newcastle. Conversion successful.

Knights lead 10-6

 

The Knights threaten to make a break down our left but stellar cover work from David Gower forces an error as they attempt to turn the ball back inside. A penalty quickly follows. Gower starts the set with a carry as Wenty then go wide right to Aiono. Gorman tries to step his way over to the right of the posts and a second penalty comes as Newcastle slow the ruck down.

Stone takes the restart run. Left no as Izzard finds Atini Gafa on the wing. Layoun gets into dummy half and throws the big dummy to right edge open side and goes for the blind side! Straight 2 on 2 there but he dummies a second time and crashes between the two defenders to score!

 

Try scored by Anthony Layoun. Conversion unsuccessful by Davis.

Wenty lock the scores up at 10-all

 

Pio Sokobavalu is on and takes the kick off run. Quick shift to the left where we might have created a 2 on 1 but Davis misses his chance to find Gafa. Gower has another useful run before our clearing kick sails in goals and is taken for a 20m restart.

As you would expect, Newcastle march downfield with the aid of the extra tackle. A nicely worked move down their left nearly sees them over but desperate scrambling defence keeps them out. They come back to the posts and thread the ball in goals to force a line drop out but turn the ball over shortly into the next set! Wenty show a bit of starch!

Stoney has a strong run. He is followed by Gower with the Beetson-esque offload!  Wenty are surging down their right now. Newcastle doing well to hold on as Wenty find the in goals with a grubber kick. No it was in the field of play as Newcastle knocked on contesting the kick. Wenty line up their right edge, wide and deep but they too cough it up early in the set.

Penalty to Newcastle for a high shot. No worries though, they too fail to complete the set with another unforced error.

Aiono and Gafa work it out early in this set. Matt Woods is hit high on the third and the penalty follows. Play resumes inside Newcastle’s half as Aukafolau taps and goes. Woods is up next and he offloads to Mahoney who finds Aukafolau for another good run. In front of the posts now as we go left on a crash ball to Davis but the pass comes back. Ref has called it forwards.

Really solid set from the home team as they work it into Wenty’s half and find touch 10m off the goal line. Nothing fancy from Wenty as the half time siren rings out. They cart it up and take the tackle.

 

Half Time

Wentworthville Magpies 10 tied with Newcastle Knights 10

 

Second Half

 

Wenty kicking off this half. Stone leads the chase and puts on some heavy contact to start the half. Strong defensive set in general from Wenty as Newcastle clear it early. Wenty’s reply kick nearly ends up in disaster as the Knights threaten to race down the sideline after beating the initial chase. A huge effort from Marata saves the day as he screams across the paddock and makes the huge play.

Speaking of huge plays! Sam Gorman has come in like a thief in the night and effected a one on one strip in general play and run 30m to score untouched! Incredible game sense there from the monster effort player! Whoa now, what is happening here? Oh wowza. Wenty get the lead and Newcastle go a man down! Their big prop is getting march for backchat!

 

Try scored by Sam Gorman. Conversion successful by Mahoney.

Wenty lead 16-10

 

Near perfect set after points from Wenty as they mark the ball out 10m from Newcastle’s line. Alas they undo the good work with a penalty on the first play from the scrum win. However the Knights turn it straight back over on the first tackle of the next set!

Gower continues to shine with his ability to offload while Marata also is getting some attention with his aggressive carries. Wenty run the ball down their right on the last but Layoun barely fails to beat his opposite defender to create a potential 2 on 1 and the set winds down.

Newcastle claw themselves to halfway and bomb it to our goal line. Gower flashes again with a huge kick pressure. Wenty can’t get to their kick in return as I think it is Stone that drops a short ball into contact. Should have caught that one I reckon.

Newcastle go to work on our goal line as they picked up a late penalty. Right to left is their initial movement. Some solid defensive shape form Wenty early on in this set. They take Newcastle to the final tackle of the set before time is called off for a mass of bodies left on the ground around the ruck.

Oh come on! Newcastle choose to pass it wide on the last and they have deadset passed it straight into the bread basked of Aiono with no one in front but he has grassed it! He almost had too much time there as he read the play from start to finish.

Scrum for the home team and a penalty quickly follows for a high shot.

Need a big effort from Wenty here with the glut of possession to the Knights. Was that Marata? Superb effort again as he dives on a grubber bound for the in-goals. Huge play from the big man there and far from the first of this game!

Um really? Wenty have run it on he last coming to halfway. Clearly lost track of the tackle count there and gifted Newcastle a huge chance.

They ride out the following set on their line before batting a well weighted kick dead. Another defensive set incoming with a line drop out.

Good drop out as it hits the turf and bounces on for some interest. However an early penalty in the tackle count reestablishes the Knights and they finally make good on the huge run of possession and territory as they crash over near the posts. Some seriously valiant defence from Wenty but that was nearly double digit sets defending either their half or goal line.

 

Try scored by Newcastle. Conversion successful.

Knights lock the score up at 16-all

 

Wenty are becoming their own worst enemies now as they make another error coming out of their half following the kickoff set from the Knights. Really just gifting Newcastle opportunities here.

Finally some luck for Wenty as a penalty finally comes their way. This one is for a raised elbow from the ball carrier. Can they capitalise on this?

From right to left early in this set. Mahoney links up with Nic Kassis before going back to the left. Marata threads a grubber kick through and belts the fullback as he pushes through in pursuit. Yet another penalty comes for Newcastle, the differential in penalties must be something ridiculous at this stage.

The fatigue has clearly set in on that note as well. A dummy half barge over nets the Knights a two score lead as we enter the final chapter of this trial.

 

Try scored by Newcastle. Conversion successful.

Knights lead 22-16

 

Another error from Wenty in their next possession. Much like the 20s they have really hurt themselves with cheap turnovers – to be fair they have defended far better than their younger cohorts.

Good footy from both teams once play resumes. Newcastle put plenty of bodies in motion and Wenty respond with a big jump in defensive intensity.

A rare penalty for Wenty now after a ranging run from one of their replacement backs. Wenty attack the Newcastle goal line for the first time in an eon and there is some rust on show. A loose pass nearly undoes the whole set but they somehow recover. Their kick on the last is somehow reeled in on the second attempt by the Newcastle #22 and a penalty, of course, immediately follows. I am not really sure what that was blown for. No one was offside and the ruck wasn’t slow…

Back to back penalties for Wenty, the second of which was for an offside defender from the quick tap. Some great toughness from Sammy Gorman to take a hospital ball and beat a defender back on the inside. His run sets up some space for Reed Mahoney to work his magic as he engages the markers and puts Nathan Milone over on a screaming unders line! Good bit of play there.

 

Try scored by Nathan Milone. Conversion successful by Mahoney.

Wenty lock it up at 22-all

 

Ooph. Wenty fail to complete their set after points. Story of the second half. Newcastle have a chance to steal a win but they too cough it up! Wenty scrum now with surely only a handful of minutes left.

I think Wenty must want to be doing defensive drills as they have turned it over from the scrum win. It goes without saying that this stuff will need to be cleaned up for Round 1.

Another penalty to Newcastle. GASP! Tap and go for the home team. Wenty turn them away through the early exchanges in this set and with the siren ringing out the Wenty defenders pour through to kill the play and bring an end to the game. Wenty’s second draw in two trials.

 

Full Time

Wentworthville Magpies 22 draw with Newcastle Knights 22

 

TCT Best On Field

3. Marata Niukoure

2. David Gower

1. Reed Mahoney

 

——————————————————————————————————————————–

Parramatta Eels Jersey Flegg v Newcastle Knights – Jersey Flegg trial, kick off at 3pm
1. Haze Dunster
2. Taufu Afu
3. Tuimavave Afualo
4. Noel Aukafolau
5. Ethan Parry
6. Joey Taipari
7. Dylan Brown
8. Sean Keppie
9. Jaydn Field
10. Oregon Kaufusi
11. Salesi Faingaa
12. Dylan Clifford
13. Michael Tupou
Interchange
14. Jesse Cronin
15. Sam McGregor
16. Beni Valu
17. Austin Dias
18. Ayden Carling
19. Bruce Wakeling
20. Todd Sapienza
21. James Porter
22. Nick Oklandnikov
23. Jake Sleiman
24. PJ Vaigalu
25. Blaise Barnes
26. JP Nohra
27. William Kei

Late Mail

TBC

 

Following a comfortable victory over the North Sydney Bears in their first trial of the preseason, the Eels will now travel to Maitland to take on the Newcastle Knights. Dean Feeney has named a full strength roster for the final preseason clash with only stand-out rake Reed Mahoney (ISP) missing.

You can catch all the live action from the Jersey Flegg trial AND the Intrust Super Premiership trial right here on TCT! Kickoff is listed for 3:00PM so be sure to drop by then!

 

First Half

 

Oooph, some technical issues getting my net up and running so we have missed the first few sets leading up to the Eels scoring the opening points via a sensational cut out pass from Salesi Faingaa to Ethan Parry! Parry strolls over in the right corner!

 

Try scored by Ethan Parry. Conversion unsuccessful by Dylan Brown.

Eels lead 4-0

 

And here we go, first ruck penalty against the team in possession – the Eels this time. Fortunately the Eels survive the raid and then pick up a penalty coming out over halfway.

Dylan Brown is in for all money after a lovely sequence of second plays but he has dropped the ball trying to find a support runner! Ouch. That was a gift try!

Strong defence by Taufa Afu on the left edge. The Eels come away with the ball on the next tackle when the Knights cough it up. Noel Auakafolau scoops it up and makes a nice return. Oregon Kaufusi nearly crashes over but it held up. The Eels work to their left from there with a wrap around pivoting on Afualo. Dunster is well tackled at the end of it all. Back to the right. Salesi tackled on the first play before Aukafolau is hit in a strong tackle and loses possession.

Superb effort from Michael Tupou in defence as he flies across from marker to make a brutal hit. In the following set there is a bit of razzle dazzle from Afualo as he skips to the right and then flicks inside to Parry who finds Brown who nearly breaks through. The Eels stab the ball in behind but it is hit too hard and rolls dead.

Newcastle earn a penalty on halfway as they work the ball out of their end and then produce a similar result to the Eels as they too kick it dead. Faingaa and Aukafolau get carries on either edge before Taipari runs and offloads to Tupou. Back to the right where Dunster is flung to the ground and loses possession of the ball. The Eels make it worse with some choice words for the ref, which turns the scrum into a penalty.

Great touchfinder by the home team. They work it right to left and very nearly turn it over on the fourth tackle but get a bit of luck as the ball takes a kind bounce. They make the most of the chance as they force a line drop out on the following play.

Good restart from the Eels as it hits the carpet deep but it takes a home team bounce. The Eels concede another penalty two tackles later for slowing down the ruck. A bit of second phase play nearly gets the Knights over the line but they are repelled. The ref finds another penalty there for the home team though. Was it for a strip with two in the tackle?

Huge defensive test for the Eels. Dylan Cliffered has planted someone! Brilliant tackle as he times his jam in perfectly! The Eels are pouring on the pressure defensively now and force the error. Outstanding defensive stand.

Unfortunately we fail to get to the end of our next set as we lose the ball on halfway. Newcastle back in the driver’s set here.

The home team are working the ball down their left plenty but our right edge is holding firm so far. Salesi produces a great play as he traps the grubber kick in the front line and dives on to the loose ball. We finally get to a kick as Brown reels in a loose pass and bombs it down field. He forces the Newcastle winger to take a diving catch. Good effort really.

Error from Newcastle now and they follow it up with a penalty. Great chance for the Eels now.

The Eels get a second penalty immediately and tap and go once the line is set. They nearly smash it over a number of times before Brown is pulled down agonisingly short. The pass from dummy half is intercepted on the line and surprisingly, not called back.

Newcastle get to a rushed kick that Parry scoops up athletically on the fly. The Eels look to ball play at the line between their big men but the pass to Valu is tipped forward into another supporting Eel.

In their next possession the Eels put together a much more polished set as Brown ices it all with a brilliant grubber kick that earns a line drop out.

Clifford and Valu cart it up before Noel Aukafolau puts on some sizzling footwork! He plants his left foot as he steps to the right and leaves two defenders grasping at air and darts through to score under the posts! Stellar individual effort.

 

Try scored by Noel Aukafolau. Conversion successful by Dylan Brown.

Eels lead 10-0

 

The Eels are rumbling forwards and using short passes at the line to open up running lanes but it comes undone as Valu offloads to Carling (I believe) and the ball does down. The Eels then regain possession due to the second offensive ruck penalty of the half (1 each for both teams now) but proceed to lose the ball in a heavy tackle first up as the siren rings out.

 

Half Time

Parramatta Eels 10 lead Newcastle Knights 0

 

Second Half

 

The Eels will receive the ball in the second stanza. Beni Valu carts it up from the kickoff. Faingaa goes pure North South on the second before there is a strong carry from Afualo. Brown completes the set with a towering bomb that is taken perfectly. The Eels are pinged for an offside chaser.

Strong defensive contact. Dylan Brown follows it up with a text book one-on-one effort. The Knights it to their right on the last and their winger produces a bit of magic to get a kick away at all as he is flung around near the sideline. Dunster cleans it up easily though.

A very simple set from the Eels follows but Brown misjudges the mortar type kick on the last as it just sails in goals for a 20m restart. Parra then get pinged for a dumping tackle that just goes past the horizontal. Chance for the Knights to get back into this clash.

Right then left for Newcastle before Afualo knocks a wide runner of their feet. Incredible hands from Dunster now as the Knights roll it in early as he grabs it off his shoulder. Noel Aukafolau earns a penalty on the second as the Knights get over eager off their line.

Dang. Joe Taipari has dropped it cold at the start of the next set. Newcastle back on the attack. Fortunately the Knights cop a pretty ordinary knock on call. The ball looks to have traveled behind their half as he loses control but it comes back for a scrum.

A big run from Valu here. Afualo is up next as he carries defenders after contact. Left now but a sloppy pass forces Sam McGregor to stop and clean it up. Taipari completes the set with a crossfield kick that is defused comfortably.

The Eels force another error in defence and get a chance to attack as a result. We work to our right early in the set before coming back to the posts with Austin Dias. Left again as Brown dummies then passes to Taipari who drops it again! Rough start to the second half for Smoking Joe.

A good cover tackle from Dylan Brown saves Afualo after he falls of a one-on-one tackle out on the right but a penalty follows as the Newcastle player loses the ball getting up. 50/50 call there.

A bit of loose tackling creeping into this set from the Eels. They are holding on for the moment but have conceded another penalty on their line. Sure enough as I type that the Knights finally get onto the board in the softest of manners. Their runner is held up for all money but spins his way out of the grasp of the defenders after coming to a stop and plants the ball down right on the line. Weak defence there.

 

Try scored by #19 (Jack Cameron?) for Newcastle. Conversion successful by #11.

Knights trail 6-10

22min remaining

 

The Knights go back to back now as they profit off some short passing before the line. The Eels are caught flat footed and bleed the line break. It looks like Michael Cheer has come on as the relief fullback and he is confronted with a 3-on-1 and can’t stop the try. Dylan Brown comes from the other side of the field to nearly knock the ball loose in the act of scoring the try but it is barely beaten! Newcastle with all the momentum here.

 

Try scored by Newcastle. Conversion successful by #14.

Knights lead 12-10

20min remaining

 

The running remains with the Knights as they pick up a penalty coming off their line. There is some arm grabbing going on but Sam McGregor puts an end to that with a leveling shot! Great tackle. Newcastle go to their right on the last and their hooker runs it himself he double pumps and passes, catching a Parra hand. Tough luck for the Eels there. Newcastle with a slice of luck and huge chance to go two scores ahead now.

Oh dear. The intensity in defence is completely gone now as the Knights crash over from short range. Was that PJ Vaigalu with the defensive whiff? No number so it is hard to tell. Newcastle are rocketed out to a handy lead now.

 

Try scored by Newcastle. Conversion successful by #14.

Knights lead 18-10

16min remaining

 

Newcastle are pouring on the pressure here but Parry remains cool under pressure to defuse the attacking kick in goals. 20m restart for the Eels.

Vaigalu produces a brutal charge as he looks to make amends for the defensive lapse. He skittles a defender and earns a penalty. Scratch that. He is back on the naughty list after producing an error early in the next set. I will say this though, the ball came flying out of the tackle there. Likely there was plenty of assistance…

The wheels are falling off in the second half. Michael Cheer makes a meal of the his kick clean up before Taufa Afu loses the ball after he is positively smashed coming off his line. Weak defence allows a number of offloads that eventually results in the Knights diving over under the posts. Diabolical second half from the Eels. You can hear Ethan Parry simultaneously venting at and rallying the team from our position.

 

Try scored by Newcastle. Conversion successful.

Knights lead 24-10

10min remaining

 

Parry makes another clean take under pressure. The Eels need to get through their set here. Forget that. Afualo has dropped a pass from Brown. I don’t think we have completed a set in the last 15min – which is a big factor in Newcastle’s surge to a commanding lead.

And Newcastle are officially making it a rout now. A nicely angled run splits our left edge between half and second rower and Cheer is left grasping at the ankles of the runner as he dives over. Plenty of second half tape for these boys to review for these young men in the next two weeks.

 

Try scored by Newcastle. Conversion successful.

Knights lead 30-10

 

Have we done it? Have we actually completed a set? We have and we bloody near score off it! Sapienza puts up a kick for Parry who leaps up and plucks it out of the air. He is pulled down just short of the line and squirts the ball out backwards. It is cleaned up by a numberless Eel and he looks to power over by swarming cover defence holds him up by the barest of margins.

Newcastle march downfield in reply but kick the ball dead. 20m restart for the Eels.

Looks like that completed set was an aberration as Jake Sleiman drops it cold. Mental concentration and discipline has been completely absent in the second half. Nick Oklandnikov makes a sensational one-on-one strip at the end of the game, saving Sapienza some blushes for a bad missed tackle, but that brings an end to play.

 

Full Time

Newcastle Knights 30 defeat Parramatta Eels 10