Tarsha Gale Live Blog

First Half

The Eels kick off to start Super Saturday. Manly make a strong opening carry and parlay that into a full set that carries them into Parra’s half. A wobbly attacking kick skews awkwardly to the right but Alysha Bell’s pressure helps force the drop.

Parra’s first possession gets off to a rough start as they turn the ball over on tackle 1. Prime chance for hte Sea Eagles to strike here with a full set in the Eels’ red zone. Some clutch defence from our right edge rebuffs the raid, great combination work from Bell and Peadon there, which then sees Manly toss the ball into touch as play breaks down from dummy half on a second short side attempt.

Things are much better through the second possession for the Blue & Gold as Tallara Bamblett slices through the front line of the Sea Eagles. She links up with Bell to her left but the pass is grassed and a huge chance is left behind.

Speaking of left behind, the Sea Eagles threaten to open up the right edge of the Eels immediately in reply but they too drop the crucial final pass. The Eels earn an early penalty in the following set for ruck interference and work for a right edge shift. Crisp ball movement from Doueihi to Tui and then Vave looks to have put the Eels on the board but desperate last ditch defence somehow holds them up. Sensational effort from the Sea Eagles to be honest. Alas, the Eels can’t crack the visitors in the follow up tackles and are pinged for a forward pass as they attack aggressively from dummy half.

Lindsay Tui starts Parra’s next possession with a great surge and is followed up by a rampaging Liaina Dimech. Her damaging run looks to have nicked a defender up unfortunately and time is called off so the injured Manly player can be helped off the field.

Bamblett turns Kanye Maru inside from the resumption of play as the Eels work to their left edge but Tallara can’t quite reel in the pass on the last as the home team fails to get to their kick.

Manly turn the ball over late in the next set but so do the Eels shortly after that. It puts the Sea Eagles on the attack in Parra’s half. The entirety of Manly’s kick chase looked to be offside and the officials are on it but frustratingly the Eels turn it over again as Vave carries the ball loosely in one hand.

Finally the visitors are able to punish the constant turnovers as their powerful prop Tafao Asaua is deployed wide to the right and crashes through Bamblett to score.

Try scored by Tafao Asaua. Conversion unsuccessful by Jordan Fenbow.

Manly lead 4-0

18min gone

The Eels start their next defensive set with some sting but an opportunistic shift through Manly’s left edge catches Parra lacking and gets the visitors out of danger. They complete their set with a tidy kick as the Eels.

Parra’s best passage of play thus far follows starting with a spirited kick chase from Bell that earns the Eels a set attacking the Manly goal line. Nella Lima and Kalisi Mahe both have testing runs but Manly’s swarming cover defence bails them out on consecutive tackles. The ball desperately needs to get out to the right edge but Parra are probably a play late on the shift and when it comes the Sea Eagles are set which forces Doueihi back infield and into an obstruction scenario which the referee quickly calls.

Another error from the home team, this a dropped bomb, puts Manly back in the box seat and convert the pressure into points for the second time today as they smash their way over from dummy half.

Try scored by Shahana Lasini-Rite. Conversion unsuccessful by Jordan Fenbow.

Manly lead 8-0

28min gone

Dang, what a messy end to Parra’s final set of the half. Quye’s pass to Bamblett for the clearing kick is slung too low and rolls between the halfback’s legs. She dives on it and is quickly tackled for the turnover on tackles.

The Eels have an absolute must hold out situation as the clocks runs out. Manly attack Parra’s right edge but a strong combination tackle from Bell and Peadon jolts the ball loose and that will bring an end to the opening half.

Half Time

Manly Sea Eagles 8 lead the Parramatta Eels 0

Second Half

Short kickoff from Manly, though it didn’t look like a tactical one. Regardless, the Eels claim it and get to work. Akauola Laula powers up the guts with a tone setting charge and Bamblett seizes the momentum from it as she knifes down the left edge and throws a pinpoint pass to Peadon who flies into the backfield, past the fullback and into the scorer’s book!

Try scored by Caitlin Peadon. Conversion successful by Alysha Bell.

Eels trail 6-8

33min gone

A messy kickoff reception is somehow turned into dominant surges as Akauola Laula and Lokeni punch holes in Manly’s defence. A sloppy pass from dummy half undoes some of the flow but a strong kick chase puts the pressure on Manly to come from deep in their own half.

A drop from Doueihi on a kick return flips the script though and that gets compounded by a late penalty on the goal line but someway, somehow our girls holds on and come away with the ball as the Sea Eagles drop it cold in front of the posts.

Both teams get through their next possessions before Manly are pinged for slowing down the ruck. A second penalty comes when the ball squirts out of the hands of Dimech as the ref rules a strip. Tui appeals for a penalty on the restart of play but that looked like a loose carry and the referee agrees.

A rather obvious flop from the Eels is pulled up and allows for a quick tap by the visitors which Alysha Bell saves from a near certain house call with a huge tackle. Doueihi fields the attacking kick and Parra cobble together a good set before time is blown off for an injured Sea Eagles. Thier excellent #8 went down with a non-contact injury and is helped off the field by a trainer.

Oh goodness I will take that but Manly were hard done by there. Bamblett again at the heart of the best play from the Eels as she flips a gorgeous cutout pass to Peadon. It looks like Peadon might be able to get it done herself but somehow she is wrapped up at the last moment. She then tries to push it to Bell flying up in support but the pass is well and truly forwards but both touchies and the ref miss it! What a lucky swing there for the Eels but it comes off some stellar lead up work from Bamblett.

Try scored by Alysha Bell. Conversion unsuccessful by Alysha Bell.

Eels lead 10-8

48min gone

Oh that is just sensational from Dimech as she steams onto the ball and through the front line! Dominant carry worth 30 for 40m easy. It puts the Eels well and truly on the attack before time is blown off as the referee spies a potentially concussed Sea Eagle.

Right for the Eels as play resumes as Lokeni carries it to the line. Bamblett runs it to the right edge short side on the last and wants to stab a grubber through the line but she executes it a fraction too early and Manly are able to clean it up in the front line. It comes at a cost for the Manly player through as she gets twisted up in the clean up tackle and looks to have hurt her knee. The attrition rate has been shocking for Manly today. Hopefully none of the injuries are serious.

Things go from bad to worse as they immediately drop the ball after play resumes.

Dimech has been outstanding in her second stint today. Helped change the game for the Blue & Gold. She tears into the Manly defensive line again and while she can’t score it sets the table for a Bamblett sortie which in turns allows Ashlee Pottinger to dive over from dummy half!

Try scored by Ashlee Pottinger. Conversion successful by Alysha Bell.

Eels lead 16-8

54min gone

Another linebreak to Dimech, this one off a lovely short ball from maybe Cawthorne? Liaina gets the offload away to support but the Sea Eagles arrive in numbers to save the day.

Time off again, this time for an Eel as Bamblett looks to have hurt her right shoulder. She is coming off so it could be serious.

The Eels complete their set with a really well placed attacking kick but the Manly custodian shows some tremendous courage to dive on the ball amidst a host of flying Eels.

Dimech again impacts the game, this time with a withering hit that brings a pause to the game again. Nothing wrong with it just punishing, front on defence.

No change in score through the final exchanges as the Eels compete a second half comeback.

Full Time

Parramatta Eels 16 defeat the Manly Sea Eagles 8

Harold Matthews

First Half

Eels kicking off in the Harold Matthews.

Good footy from both teams to open this game. Parra defend strongly but a great clearing kick evens the contest up. Balmain give up the first penalty and a booming touch finder gets the Eels well down field.

The Tigers defend a right edge shift as Corey Leigh is cut down. To the left where again the Eels are met by good defence before swinging back to their right. Parra elect to run it on the last as Talataina looks to bullet a pass to Dom Farrugia but it skips off the ground and takes an unkind bounce into touch.

The Eels survive their first goal line test as they force an error with a gut buster tackle on one of Balmain’s big boys and leap on the change of possession! They drive before downfield and chase an attacking bomb in swarming numbers. The Balmain fullback grasses it and Talataina scoops it up for an easy score!

Try scored by Lorenzo Talataina. Conversion unsuccessful by Dom Farrugia.

Eels lead 4-0

8min gone

Parra nearly go back to back as Farrugia glides down the left edge and over halfway. He has put a foot into touch fractionally before finding support inside though.

A string of penalties takes Balmain onto Parra’s goal line but a beautiful read from Rokasuka allows him to take the pressure relieving interception.

Bear with me folks, having to work interchangeably between the lap top and phone today as it is so warm the devices are over heating.

Eels force an error with another strong tackle.

Gee Tito plays with his hair on fire. Love the anger he runs with.

Parra can’t convert the bonus possession into points but it isn’t for a lack of polish in this set. They run it on the last after good runs by Tito and Sangalang as Leigh feeds Rokasuka down a sliver of the right sideline. Parra’s right winger goes so close to threading that needle but his opposite barely gets enough of him to get him into touch.

The Tigers try a cheeky gambit in the shade of half time. Leveraging the implied pressure of their halfback’s massive boot they chip ahead with just over 30sec on the clock. The Eels scramble well though and kill the play as the clock runs down to zeroes.

Half Time

Balmain Tigers 6 lead the Parramatta Eels 4

Second Half

Jordan Uta starts the half with a barnstorming carry that takes him over halfway but his offload to Leigh is squeezed forwards and lets the Tigers off the hook. He does however redeem himself with a fierce tackle but knocks the ball free!

Good passage of play from there. Dom Farrugia is barely held out by last ditch defence and the boys complete their set by running it on the last and turning it over a metre out. You love to see that sort of pressure getting built because lo and behold the Tigers cough it straight back up!

Parra waste zero time converting that into points as Lorenzo Talataina shows of his wheels as he zips down the left edge and releases Farrugia freely over the line!

Try scored by Dom Farrugia. Conversion successful by Dom Farrugia.

Eels lead 10-6

35min gone

Update from the Parramatta Development squads. Our Under 16s development squad has accounted for the Roosters 6 tries to 2.

Uta continues to impress with yet another bullocking carry from the kickoff. The Eels complete their set with a driven kick that takes an unkind turn to the dead ball line.

Pure class from Zaidas there as he darts from dummy half and torments the defenders with a weaving line to the left. He links up Mark Williams who finds Farrugia who is stopped at the last line for the second time today. Back to the right for the Eels as Uta goes perilously close to scoring but it paves the way for an almost comically easy try for Zaidas Muaguatuti’a who steps over from dummy half and slams it down!

Try scored by Zaidas Muaguatuti’a. Conversion successful by Dom Farrugia.

Eels lead 16-6

40min gone

Uta brings it out past the 20m yet again but an errant pass on the second is quickly pulled up as forward. Looked like the timing from the runner was off and it went wrong from there.

Balmain build some pressure with a simple set that culminates with a line drop out from a good grubber kick.

Farrugia has absoutely pummelled that drop out! It has sailed well over 50m on the fly and gets another 25m or so from the run off.

Well that was a pretty blatant forward pass missed there and the Tigers profit from it (as did the Eels in the Gale earlier today) to create the overlap down Parra’s right edge and touch down in the corner. Pretty poor missed call but those are the breaks.

Try scored by the Balmain Tigers. Conversion successful.

Tigers trails 12-16

46min gone

Eels and Tigers go set for set as the game settles into a rhythm. It is Parra who blinks first as Rokasuka gets the ball poked out in a carry. Initial travel is backwards but it looks like the clean up attempt is knocked on.

Mark Williams is penalised for a late hit off the ball but it looks like a pretty tough call at first look. A second penalty follows for maybe a high tackle? All a bit messy here.

Actually bizarre sequence of play here. The Tigers have scored on three consecutive plays. The first one was short and deemed play on. The second is initially awarded by the main ref but is overturned extremely late before the Tigers finally score on the third dummy half crash over attempt. Obviously unhappy to see the Eels bleed the short range try but that entire run of possession was cursed.

Try scored by the Balmain Tigers. Conversion successful.

Tigers lead 18-16

54min gone

Under 3min left on the clock when the Eels finally get the ball back. Parramatta finally get a ruck call their way with a 6-again announced. And redemption comes for Lorima Rokasuka! Patience from the Eels is rewarded with the two set restarts not been wasted by pushing the ball recklessly. Instead the pressure through their left then attack wide right and clean hands sees Rokasuka dive over for the win in the corner!

Try scored by Lorima Rokasuka. Conversion unsuccessful by Dom Farrugia.

Full Time

Parramatta Eels 20 defeat the Balmain Tigers 18

SG Ball

First Half

Parra to kickoff first for the third and final time today. Absolutely scalding conditions as the Tigers open up the game with an early kick. Well struck mind you but it takes a kind bounce for Apa Twidle to cart back. Good early charges for the Eels here but Lance Fualema is pinged for a dropped ball that very much looks like it had an assisting hand on it.

Balmain get the first real crack at a goal line and walk away with the opening points care of a very well weighted grubber kick that finds their lock forward Jonathan Ibrahim.

Try scored by Jonathan Ibrahim. Conversion successful.

Tigers lead 6-0

6min gone

Clean set for the Tigers after points as the hoof it down field. Alameddine has to deal with a nasty turn from the kick before finally really it in and tracking back. Cody Parry takes the second charge and is met strongly before getting driven back before Richard Penisini has a run that produces an error although it looks to have come about due to injury. He has stayed down and is getting treated. Fair break here and yep he is coming off. Aided by two trainers. Big blow for the Blue & Gold early on here given Richard’s class. I would expect Patrick Spence to play centre from here.

Enterprising play from Parra now. Nice work down the right edge as Arthur and Lynn combine to put William Lewis into half a gap. Strong charge from the backrower but the slide defence catch him before he can plant his right foot back away from the sideline and get him into touch.

Balmain hit back with another simple set that is completed with an excellent kick that finds touch deep in Parra’s half.

Gee that is a testing run from Sanders. Has the Tigers defence in two minds as he takes on the line and very nearly slices through. Lynn plays very aggressively off the back of that as he kicks early along the ground. It takes a deflection off a front line defender but the Eels knock it on in the attempted regather from there.

Oh dear that is a poor call. Parry has been pinged for a shoulder charge very late in the tackle count but it is a plain bad call.

Bit of justice for the Eels in the following set as a try scoring opportunity for the visitors is brought back due to a forward pass call against captain Josh Feledy.

Talk about undoing some great work. Arthur is awake to a quick tap opportunity following a very clear strip in a completed tackle. He is off and puts Sanders into a gap. The cover defence close in on him and he makes a very ill-advised offload to Twidle on the left and turns the ball over on tackle 1.

Wests work to an attacking bomb in return and while Parry does well to defuse it he is left stranded near the sideline with three or four defenders on him and he is subsequently bundled into touch.

The Eels show a bit of grit to follow up though as they grimly defend their line and draw a 20m restart from a long kick on the last.

Good run of play for the home team from the extended set. Sanders, Pryke and Fualema all getting involved before Alameddine almost crosses in the right corner. He is driven out and somehow they have ruled it to be a 20m restart. What a nasty twist there.

Gee that was a rash, hot-headed play from William Lewis there as he unloads late and high on the kicking half. Very, very lucky to escape with a report and penalty only. Cool heads need to prevail in the heat right now.

Pryke provides a needed defensive boost as he wraps up the runner and somehow gets the ball out for a turnover.

Goodness the Eels get cooked there by an awful missed call. Lynn’s clearing kick is very clearly touched by a defender playing at him before rolling into touch downfield. There is quite visible confusion between the ref and touchy before they finally award the play the ball to the Tigers in a decidedly incorrect decision.

After squandering a possession in the Tigers’ half the Eels come back with their best set of the game as Twidle pins the Tigers in-goals with a grubber kick. 6min left in the half for the Eels to hit back on the scoreboard.

Parry and Piukala take the opening carries before the craftiness of Arthur comes to the fore. He challenges the Tigers down a left edge short side and feeds Parry Vaivela for his first of the day and fifth of the young season!

Try scored by Cody Parry Devonte Vaivela. Conversion unsuccessful by Joshua Lynn.

Eels trail 4-6

31min gone

Great combination play from Piukala and Tuala sets the table for a huge set but LeBron’s second involvement in the set sees the towering forward force the issue and turn it over. Damn shame too because he has been pure quality since coming on.

Big tackle from Pryke there as he saves the day down the left edge! Had to have that and he is a daisy cutter. It proves pivotal too because the Tigers shift to the opposite side of the field where a tipped pass on the goal line is gobbled up by Patrick Spence! He doesn’t clean get a clean run from the interception but is strong enough to fend away from two before kicking clear!

The cover defence come hot and heavy for him but so too does Lynn as the massive convergence closes it. He thinks long and hard about passing in field to his half but pulls it in at the last and backs himself with 50m to go. Love the conviction and he is rewarded with the try as he high steps the ankle tap attempt for the go ahead try on the siren!

Try scored by Patrick Spence. Conversion successful by Joshua Lynn.

Half Time

Parramatta Eels 10 lead the Balmain Tigers 6

Second Half

Poor start for the home team as Guymer throws a poor pass to Tuala who can’t hold onto it. Tigers go immediately on the attack only to have play stopped for an injured player. Looks like their #12 Tanous Sukkar who has a shoulder injury there.

Redemption for Guymer who dives on a loose ball in the following set though!

Vaivela earns a huge penalty in set where the Eels are mired in their own red zone. He takes the first run of the new set – a good one – but Tuala continues his rough start to the second half with a second error as he is met strongly by the defence.

Oh that is quality defence. Vaivela is having a huge impact at the moment and this time it is with a cracking tackle that eats up his opposite centre just as he tries to kick ahead.

Big LeBron is struggling in the withering heat with another error charged to his name. Will need one or both of the starting bookends back into this contest real soon here.

He does however net one back shortly after with a tackle that squeezes the ball out. He gets a second call back, albiet fortuitously, with a play the ball penalty a few plays later that goes his way. It is a critical 50/50 too as the Eels blitz to their left from the restart! Sanders and Twidle find Parry who has a bobble before diving over for his second first of the day!

Try scored by Cody Parry. Conversion unsuccessful by Joshua Lynn.

Eels lead 14-6

47min gone

The game is getting really physical now with both teams running and hitting with some serious venom.

Seb Piukala has been done absolutely filthy there following a beautiful slips catch on the goal line. Took it clean but the ref makes a late call to say he dropped it. That was sensational work from the big man and he has been real strong on the whole today.

The Eels have ratcheted up the desperation in defence to 10 here as they pour in with numbers through a huge defensive set. It ends with a dropped pass that should have been a penalty for the Eels due to an offside clean up but it is only called a knock on.

Parra have properly turned the tide now as another error from the Tigers is seized on by the home team. Sam Tuivati storms onto the pill and drags in defenders under the posts and the wily Arthur is very much awake to it as he dives over the ruck for a very simple try.

Try scored my Matt Arthur. Conversion successful by Joshua Lynn.

Eels lead 20-6

55min gone

Arthur leads the way in defence now with a scything hit and frees the ball up. Raf De Stradis ends up with it and pilfers 30m with a good run. He and Tuivati have been violent in defence.

Apa Twidle gets the chance to shine now with a great take on the fly before somehow getting away a lightning quick grubber with the defence in his face. It is perfectly weighted for the ever present Parry who will very happily claim it for his brace!

Try scored by Cody Parry. Conversion unsuccessful by Joshua Lynn.

Eels lead 24-6

64min gone

A stroke of luck for the Tigers now as Lynn’s attacking kick is struck a tad too high allowing the Tigers to intercept in the front line. De Stradis, Tuivati and Twidle all give spirited chase but it is just not enough as the Tigers score in the corner.

Try scored by the Tigers. Conversion unsuccessful.

Tigers trail 10-24

67min gone

Dropped cold from the kickoff by the Tigers. Chance for the home team to strike back immediately now.

Gee that is class. Lynn and Sanders combine to the profit of Saxon Pryke Charlie Guymer who crosses essentially untouched to close this one out.

Try scored by Saxon Pryke Charlie Guymer. Conversion unsuccessful by Joshua Lynn.

Full Time

Parramatta Eels 28 defeat the Balmain Tigers 10

Parramatta 16s Development Squad Update

The Eels took on the Roosters in a Dev Squad clash. In an improved physical performance, the Eels ran out 6 tries to 2 winners, with the Roosters only tries coming very late in the match.

If you liked this article, you might consider supporting The Cumberland Throw.