The Junior Representatives are on the road again – this time headed for Canberra. Both the Eels and Raiders are right in the thick of the hunt for the finals in all three grades which makes this week a pivotal round for each of the Gale, Matts and Ball.

Our Tarsha Gale kick off the action at 11:00AM with the Harold Matthews following at 12:30PM and the SG Ball at 2:00PM. The NSWRL are live-streaming all three grades (as well as our NSW Cup fixture versus the Raiders) so strap yourselves in for a massive Saturday!

 

 

NSWRL Live Stream Link

 

Tarsha Gale

 

1 Debbie Doueihi
2 Hayley Bell
3 Alysha Bell
4 Lindsay Tui
5 Siulolovao Vave
6 Charlotte Cawthorne
7 Tallara Bamblett
8 Laila Dimech
9 Ashlee Pottinger
15 Kalisi Mahe
11 Bella Sandford
16 Leila Black
13 Kyanna Lokeni
10 Kanye Maru
14 Kasey Quye
15 Melenukuo Akauola Laula
21 Alliyah Ghannoum

 

Tarsha Gale Updates

First Half

 

There is some adventurous football from both teams following the kickoff from the Parramatta Eels. Really positive stuff. The Canberra Raiders get the first crack at a goal line following a penalty late in the tackle count but Parramatta defend strongly and come away with the footy following a sloppy 5th tackle play from the home team.

Doueihi asks a serious question of the defence with a sortie down the right edge and her rapid play-the-ball lets Bamblett race out of dummy half for big metres. Doueihi completes the set with a midfield bomb that Leila Black claims before she is quickly wrapped up.

Canberra reply with a fairly medium set that culminates in a 20m restart for Parramatta. Lindsay Tui surges into the play with a linebreak up the middle! Terrific run! It sets up a huge attacking chance for the visiting team as the spin left with Bamblett. She plays late at the line to Alysha Bell and puts her into a half gap. Bell’s offload back to support catches a defender’s hand for a tackle count reset but the Eels only need 1 more because Kalisi Mahe is on the warpath! She angles back towards the post, steps on her left foot to beat the first defender and then powers into the gap between the next two to slam the ball down!

Try scored by Kalisi Mahe. Conversion successful by Alysha Bell.

Eels lead 6-0

9min gone

Mahe immediately back into the action as she trucks it up on the opening tackle but two plays later the Eels have coughed it up as there is some desync between Pottinger and one of her runners. Canberra will have the chance to hit back right away but Hayley Bell is having none of that as the squares up her opposite and bundles her into touch! There was plenty of that last week from Hayley as well.

A penalty then follows to the Eels and they tap and go via Lokeni. Oh my that is silky footy from Tallara Bamblett! She glides down the left edge and holds the ball up with shape to the outside. The defence bite on the dummy and she slices through with ease. Alysha Bell pours through in support and it is a simple pass for Bamblett to put the Eels up two scores!

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

Eels lead 12-0

15min gone

Dang, twice now the Eels have failed to get to their kick after points. Bamblett with a rare error this time around as she grasses the kickoff. Canberra break left from the scrum win and are able to breakthrough on the back of sheer speed from their left centre Lara Cosgrove. Tui is a fraction late with her slide and gets beaten to the outside for the score in the corner.

Try scored by Lara Cosgrove. Conversion unsuccessful.

Raiders trail 4-12

18min gone

Both teams have chances in the following 10-minutes but neither can capitalise on them. It leaves the scores unchanged as we head into half time with the Parramatta Eels ahead by 8-points.

 

Half Time

Parramatta Eels 12 lead the Canberra Raiders 4

 

Second Half

 

Canberra to kick off in the second half. Bamblett races forwards to try and get to a shallow kick but can only knock it on as it bounces at her ankles. Tough break to start the second half and the Eels need a big defensive stand now.

The Raiders absolutely hammer Parramatta’s left edge but good golly do they stand tall. Defenders arriving in numbers for each and every tackle here and they scramble brilliantly when the home team throw the ball around on the last!

Doueihi looks to land a huge counterblow as she breaks free down the left edge. She has the toe to initially beat her opposite number but Alsyha Bell can’t bring in the pass as she pushes up in support to the left.

Two sets later the Eels are pinged for a penalty to let the Raiders off their goal line but the home team responds by losing the ball in the following play. Golden chance her for the Eels to build to a big attacking play here. Right with Doueihi and then a strong carry from Sandford. Left is where the magic happens though! Nice interplay of passes between Cawthorne and Bamblett before the halfback bullets a short ball to Mahe. The powerful backrower brushes past the first defender before linking up with Alsyha Bell who nabs her double!

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

Eels lead 18-4

39min gone

As good as the Eels have been in general play today, their sets after points have been lacking with yet another error opening the door for the Raiders to hit back. They do just that this time around with their elusive fullback Georgia Willey dancing through the left edge of the Eels to score in a cracking individual effort.

Try scored by Georgia Willey. Conversion unsuccessful.

Raiders trail 8-18

42min gone

Debbie Doueihi is going from strength this year and her full command of her attacking skillset is on display right here as she cuts the Canberra defence to shreds! She sweeps down the right edge threatening to link up to outside support before planting the right foot and breaking into the backfield. She has no qualms taking on the fullback either and brushes past for the try!

Try scored by Debbie Doueihi. Conversion successful by Alysha Bell.

Eels lead 24-8

50min gone

A caution comes the way of the Raiders following a string of ruck penalties as Parramatta really put the foot to the throat in a strong set. The final penalty in the run of indiscetions gifts Bell a simply shot at a penalty goal and she duly drills it.

Penalty goal successful by Alysha Bell.

Eels lead 26-8

53min gone

The goal line defence from the Eels has largely been excellent today and that remains true with under 3min left on the clock as they turn the Raiders away yet again.

The Raiders do finally manage to peg one back finally with the clock expiring as their prop forward breaks a tackle and dives over.

Try scored by the Canberra Raiders. Conversion unsuccessful.

 

Full Time

Parramatta Eels 26 defeat the Canberra Raiders 12

 

 

Harold Matthews

 

1 Corey Leigh
2 Dom Farrugia
3 Alma Faataga Seve
4 Lachlan Vella
5 Aidan Kebourian
6 Junior Fagalele
7 Lorenzo Talataina
8 Ocean Vaivela
9 Zaidas Muagututi’a
10 Mikayel Tito
11 Jezaiah Funa-Luta
12 Anthony Abdow
13 Tyson Sangalang
14 Lachlan Coinakis
15 Jack Nicholas
16 Lewis Saad
17 Maison Ong
18 Junior Siale

 

Harold Matthews Updates

 

First Half

 

Parramatta are rewarded for their patience early in this contest! They are set up on Canberra’s goal line and have multiple strong carries that each result in a runner getting held up over the line. Instead of losing their cool they shift the point of attack from left to right where Zaidas Muagututia hops out of dummy half threatening to burrow over. It is all a ruse through as he turns it back under to a steaming Ocean Vaivela who smashes his way over!

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

Eels lead 6-0

7min gone

It doesn’t take the Raiders long to strike back though after the Eels are guilty of failing to get to their kick after points. The turnover on halfway leads to a string of repeat sets care of batted passes and eventually the Raiders are able to break the defensive line with a short pass from dummy half.

Try scored by the Canberra Raiders. Conversion successful.

Raiders lock the scores up at 6-all

12min gone

A high quality kick return from Farrugia puts the Eels on the front foot before his partner on the opposite flank is dropped on his head in a dangerous tackle. Obviously a penalty right there and the tackle is put on report. Alas, Tito loses control of the ball in the very first tackle of the set and the Raiders escape what could have been a tricky defensive set.

After a scratchy run of play from both sides a bullocking run from Ocean Vaivela takes the Eels from their goal line to right on the attack. Tremendous work from the young bookend. Talataina tries to put the ball in the air for Kebourian but it sails too deep off the boot and gives the Raiders a 20m restart.

The Eels are starting to warm into this contest though as Zaidas Muagutuia creates a small window for Junior Fagalele to work his magic. It is lovely but understated work from the dummy half contrasted with the explosive work of the five-eighth as Fagalele explodes down the right edge before planting off his right foot to beat the fullback. Sensational run!

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

Eels lead 12-6

23min gone

Once again the Eels fail to get to their kick after points – a potentially backbreaking habit to be quite honest. Talataina guilty of having a look as the pass was arriving on this occasion. Thankfully the defensive effort is up to the challenge as they squeeze the ball out in a strong tackle down our left edge.

The home team have the final chance to add to the conversation before half time but grim defence from the Blue & Gold repels them as the siren rings out.

 

Half Time

Parramatta Eels 12 lead the Canberra Raiders 6

 

Second Half

 

No change in the scores asfter nearly 12min in the second half and wow have the Eels absorbed a world of pressure in that period. Canberra have had the run of play by far in the second stanza but Parramatta have done well to hold on.

Ocean Vaivela takes this game by the scruff of its neck in the 47th-min as he steams onto the advantage line and bashes his way over the goal line! Sometimes simple is best and Vaivela has been electric in this tough contest.

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

Eels lead 18-6

49min gone

Incomplete sets haven’t helped them but by golly has the defence been tremendous. They turn all the pressure around back onto the Raiders when they get a rare chance to attack their goal line and Aidan Kebourian does well to burrow over in the left corner. It takes some time for the touchy and referee to award it but eventually they do and the Eels build a commanding lead as the game heads towards zeroes on the clock.

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

 

Full Time

Parramatta Eels 24 defeat the Canberra Raiders 6

 

SG Ball

 

1 Apa Twidle
2 Cody Parry
3 Patrick Spence
4 Devonte Vaivela
5 Cainan Hardiman
6 Ethan Sanders
7 Josh Lynn
8 Sam Tuivaiti
9 Matt Arthur
10 Saxon Pryke
11 Dom De Stradis
12 William Lewis
13 Charlie Guymer (c)
14 Raff De Stradis
15 Samuel Squire
16 LeBron Tuala
17 Lance Fualema

 

First Half

 

Eels to kick off in the final match of the day. It is the home team that strikes first when Iosefa taps and goes from close range and catches the defence slacking on the goal line.

Try scored by the Canberra Raiders. Conversion successful.

Raiders lead 6-0

5min gone

Parramatta are crucially able to hit back though with Ethan Sanders and Apa Twidle steering the team expertly. Sanders nearly scores himself with a testing run before Twidle throws a sensational cutout pass to Cody Parry to level the scores.

Try scored by Cody Parry. Conversion successful by Ethan Sanders.

Eels lock the scores up at 6-all

13min gone

Some outstanding goal line defence is rewarded by an incredible kick from halfback Josh Lynn as he booms a massive 40/20 to put the Eels on the attack and Sam Tuivati takes matters into his own hands with a charge that carries three or four Raiders over the line. They look to have him but he fights and twists to get the ball down! Tremendous footy in all phases there from the Eels.

Try scored by Sam Tuivati. Conversion successful by Ethan Sanders.

Eels lead 12-6

21min gone

Parramatta’s defence has held well up until a weaving run chock full of dummies from Canberra’s five-eighth Afamasaga. The Eels are caught on their heels as he runs from left to right before finding a crease to pin his ears back through for the try.

Try scored by the Canberra Raiders. Conversion successful.

Raiders lock the scores up at 12-all

31min gone

That one hurts as the Raiders score on the stroke of half time. Sloppy marker work is punished by the fullback Stuart who hares to the right of the ruck and scores next to the posts. Poor finish to the first stanza for the Blue & Gold.

Try scored by the Canberra Raiders. Conversion successful.

 

Half Time

Canberra Raiders 18 lead the Parramatta Eels 12

 

Second Half

 

Raiders kicking off in the final half of play today.

That is beautiful footy. The Eels play at a truly rapid pace as they attack first down their left then the right. Arthur and Tuala combine for the former before Spence slices through to score on the latter. That is very high quality footy.

Try scored by Patrick Spence. Conversion successful by Ethan Sanders.

Eels lock the scores up at 18-all

40min gone

Canberra take back the lead when Iosefa bags his double. Another close range effort as finds some daylight in the Parramatta defensive line.

Try scored by the Canberra Raiders. Conversion unsuccessful.

Raiders lead 22-18

50min gone

The home team have run away with it here as they bag back-to-back tries including a brilliant length-of-the-field team effort.

Raiders lead 32-18

59min gone

Stuart seals the deal for the home team with his second of the day as he fights his way over from close range. Canberra finished far too strong for the Eels in the second half.

Try scored by the Canberra Raiders. Conversion successful.

Raiders lead 38-18

68min gone

Time enough for Stuart to complete the hat-trick as the Eels fold in the last possession of the game.

Try scored by the Canberra Raiders. Conversion unsuccessful.

 

Full Time

Canberra Raiders 42 defeat the Parramatta Eels 18