Magic Round comes early for the Blue & Gold as March Madness kicks off at New Era Stadium, Cabramatta. Five games, one venue, one day. That is the formula for the Parramatta Eels and Penrith Panthers as they lock horns across the Lisa Fiaola, Tarsha Gale, Harold Matthews, SG Ball and Jersey Flegg today.

The Eels have already bagged important wins in the NRL and NSW Cup this week but with the finals just around the corner in the Junior Representatives there is so much at stake at New Era today. The Tarsha Gale are looking to secure their place inside the Top 6 while the Matts and Ball have Top 2 finishes in their sights if they stay the course. Meanwhile the Lisa Fiola squad are looking to continue their fantastic run through their 2023 program. Finally, the Jersey Flegg posted a breakthrough win last week and have the chance to follow their cohorts in the Cup and NRL with a victory over their Western Sydney rivals.

Coverage starts at 9:00AM with the Lisa Fiola Cup and will run right through to the Jersey Flegg Cup which kicks off at 3:15PM (battery life of mobile devices pending!).

 

9:00AM, New Era Stadium

Lisa Fiaola Team List

 

1	Kayla Henderson
5	Aysha-Rain Peitersz
15	DejaTE WHARE
4	Mariah Fasavalu-Faamausili
2	AriannaRUWOLDT
6	WaiariaELLIS
7	Aaliyah Soufan
8	Alaianne Toai-Alaimalo
9	Essence Alo
16	Odesza Toiai-Alaimalo
11	LosalineSIKAHELE
12	Leyla Oueik
13	Ryvvr-Lee Alo
17	Keleya White
10	Not available
22	Ciara Stockham
14	Ava Jones
3	Chelsea Comer
18	SarahSHANNON
19	Not available
23	DanielleSECKOLD

 

Match Updates

First Third

Good kick chase in the third set of the day from the Panthers has forced an Eels drop out.

Parra defend well and force a turn over

Parra have possession and are attacking the Panthers line. Waiaria Ellis fires a pass to Alaianne Toai-Alaimalo and she won’t be stopped from close range. Try time. Conversion from Kayla Henderson successful.

Eels 6 Panthers 0 12 minutes gone.

What a set from the Eels forwards. They earn a penalty on the back of a Ryvvr-Lee Alo charge and are at the Panthers quarter. A dropped ball turns it over but then some big defence has forced a Panthers error 35 metres out. Parra on the attack again. A bit of a scrappy set there and the Eels lose possession.

Penrith have gifted the Eels another chance and it’s a scrum on the 40 metre line. Big set and Alaianne Toai-Alaimalo is held up. Penrith fumble the kick and Parra have 53 seconds to try to conjure something. The siren goes with the Eels in possession and Penrith survive.

End of first Third. Eels 6 Penrith 0

Second Third

Parra kick off and a huge tackle drive the Panthers runner back at least ten metres. What! The ref has penalised Parra for holding down in the most dominant tackle you could ever see. Justice now as Penrith knock on but the Eels have again lost possession around Penriths quarter. Need to tidy this up today.

A huge kick from Penrith on the last and they force an Eels error. Penrith get within inches of the line off the scrum. The Eels defence forces an error on the next play. Eels scrum ten out.

A solid set from Parra and they finish with a kick down to the Panthers 20. The Panthers fullback returns it well and it takes a great tackle from the Eels number 10 to stop her. They complete their set and Parra then do the same, but the Eels force an error from Penrith a couple of tackles later.

This is a terrific set from the Eels. Danielle Seckold is on and immediately creates an overlap. The Panthers are defending tenaciously as the Eels go close on the next three plays. The ball goes wide and Aysha-Rain Peitersz dives over in the corner.

Conversion unsuccessful

Eels 10 Penrith nil about 8 minutes left.

My goodness what a set. What a try. The Eels work downfield from the kick off. Then Aaliyah Soufan orchestrates an outside/inside play beside the ruck with Alaianne Toai-Alaimalo and the Eels prop runs 25 metres to score, stepping through the fullback on the way.
Conversion unsuccessful

Eels 14 Penrith nil 6 minutes remaining

The Eels finish the third with scintillating football, with great support play backing up half breaks.

End of Second Third  Eels 14  Penrith 0

Final Third

Penrith have struck the kick off horribly and it gets nowhere near ten metres. Parra tap and go. Parra are called for a forward pass in an offload and I’m scratching my head at that one! The Panthers are asking questions through the middle in the next set but Parra hold strong and when the visitors look to get expansive the ball is dropped.

What deception. Waiaria Ellis feigns to pass but slices through the line. She holds up her pass to the last minute to commit the fullback and delivers a perfect ball for Seckold to cross under the posts. The conversion from in front is not good to say the least.

Eels 18 Panthers nil.  13 minutes remaining.

The Eels complete the next set with a well placed chip kick that draws the error from Penrith next to the sideline. The scrum is packed in front of the posts and the Eels ask questions on every play. The kick on the last from Ellis is played at by Penrith and the Eels have six again. The ball is with Aaliyah Soufan and she darts over next to the posts. Try again unconverted.

Eels 22 Panthers nil about 9 minutes remaining.

Oh that was bad luck. Mariah Fasavalu-Faamausili has picked the ball up at dummy half and cut them open about 40 metres out. Panthers chase and tackle her just short. She reaches out and is called for a double movement.

Parra now get a scrum on their 40 and Ellis does it all herself – she receives the ball from Soufan off the scrum, dummies and then runs 60 metres to score under the posts. Conversion from Ava Jones successful.
Eels 28 Penrith nil. About 4 minutes remaining.

The Panthers are awarded a penalty just over half way. They drive through the middle then spread left and get the Eels for numbers.
Conversion unsuccessful

Eels 28 lead Penrith 4

We just have time for the kick off and the siren sounds

Full time

Eels 28 defeat Penrith 4

 

Tarsha Gale Team List

10:30AM, New Era Stadium

 

1	Debbie Doueihi (c)
2	Alysha Bell
3	Caitlin Peadon
4	Lindsay Tui
5	Hayley Bell
6	Charlotte Cawthorne
7	Tallara Bamblett
8	Laila Dimech
9	Ashlee Pottinger
10	Kanye Maru-Mulu
11	Kalisi Mahe
12	Bella Sandford
13	Makaah Darcy
14	Kasey Quye
15	Mele Akau’ola Laula
16	Leila Black
17	Kyanna Lokeni
21	Serah Poloaalii

Match Updates

 

First Half

Panthers kicking off.

Parra complete the first set and the last tackle kick finds touch around ten out.

The Panthers advance play to nearly 30 metres out and receive a penalty. The Panthers fullback cuts through the line and step Debbie Doueihi to score beside the posts. Big start from the visitors here.

Conversion successful

Penrith 6 lead Eels nil. Four minutes gone.

Penrith bust through the Eels middle and Doueihi makes the tackle on the 30. Penrith head right and the Eels are stretched but the pass goes astray. Relief for Parra there.

Parra get to their kick and Penrith work play from their 20 metre line. They lose possession around half way but their defence keeps Parra’s attack restricted in their next set. Bamblett looks to the kick but is tackled as she sets. Scrum is set midfield on the Panthers 30.

Penriths dummy half opens Parra up and Bamblett chases to bring her down about a metre out. The Eels hold up a couple of crash plays and are penalised on the last tackle for going early. Penrith turn over possession in their penalty set and then the Eels get a relieving penalty themselves. Parra now launch an attack themselves and Peadon breaks downfield off a loose ball. A shift left and Bell is tackled into touch.

The teams trade sets now and Parra lose possession on the Penrith quarter. Penrith return the favour and the scrum is set 30 metres out.

Parra ask some questions on their right, even working a very narrow blind. Tui runs it on the last and is tackled a metre short.

Penrith ruck it out and kick it to Doueihi on the Eels 20. Parra advance the ball into Penriths half and again run it on the last, turning it over on the 30. Penrith head left off the next couple of plays but make an error on the 40.

Parra work quick play the balls through the middle and earn a penalty ten out. Parra tap and go and head right. They like the blind side and obviously think there is joy there. The ball is out to Hayley Bell and she powers through defenders to score in the corner.

And Yes! Alysha Bell has just drilled a beautiful conversion from the sideline!

Eels 6 Panthers 6 Five minutes to half time.

Important defensive set from the Eels on their own line and they’re now rucking the ball out. Bamblett attempts a cut out to Alysha Bell and the Panthers get a hand to it. Eels scrum here with just under two minutes left in the half. The ball comes right to Tui from the scrum and the strong running centre carries defenders towards the quarter. The ball continues right and Hayley Bell charges towards the line. She finds an offload to Tui who crashes over in the corner.

Can Alysha Bell kick another from the sideline? Can she what!!! incredible conversion.

Half time sounds. Eels 12 lead Panthers 6.

Second Half.

Eels to kick off.

Thanks to Sixties for handling the updates up until now. I (Forty20) will take over from here as the Tarsha Gale look to build on their strong finish to the first half.

Hayley Bell and Lindsay Tui start Parramatta’s first set with some serious intent as they rip into the defensive line. The home team carry that momentum over halfway with Maru Mulu and complete the set with a rolled kick. It looks for a moment like the Eels have stolen back possession with a 1-on-1 strip but the referee rules there were multiple defenders in the tackle and the Panthers will get the first proper attacking set of the half.

Their field position further improves when the referee makes a highly contentious call on a strong tackle. It looked like a clean big hit but he pings the Eels. The ball refuses to lie though as the Panthers fail to find touch with the sure hands of Alysha Bell plucking it inside the field of play.

A good set comes from it as the home team works over half way and sends up a midfield bomb. Yasmine Baker of the Panthers takes it well but two plays later the visitors are caught for a forward pass as the home crowd erupts in a Bronx cheer for the officials.

Oh that is champagne footy from Parramatta now. The set starts with some lovely work down the right between Tui and H.Bell before the left edge somehow finds an even better play afterwards. Caitlin Peadon shows a clean set of heels to finish it but the lead up work from the entire left edge was sensational as offload was followed by rapid hands. Beautiful stuff. Alysha continues to bang the ball over with ease as she makes it a 12-point lead.

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

Eels lead 18-6

38min gone

Parramatta complete their set after points, always great to see that but time is blown off for an injured Panther following the kick return from the Penrith fullback Baker.

Play is right to resume after a short break and the Eels force an error on halfway. Bamblett scoops it up and takes tackle zero. Through the left edge for Parra this set as Peadon finds some space again before she is tackled by the fullback. They spin the ball to the right on the last as Doueihi cuts out to Hayley Bell and the powerful winger pushes deep into the corner but is dragged down for the turnover on tackles. A fine finish to the set considering the field position.

Unfortunately the referee is very quick to penalise the Eels for offside defenders as the crowd roars its disapproval. The parochial home supporting bay certainly don’t feel like this game is being reffed consistently I must say!

Again the Panthers fail to get to their kick as they cross halfway. Tui finds a crease down the right as just glides through. A wonderful line there but she gets the wires crossed as she gets to the fullback and loses the pill as she tries to shift her grip to offload. Damn shame but it was still a helluva run.

The Panthers pick up another gift penalty to help them out of trouble but what do you know, they turn it over again. Ball telling a great deal of truth today.

A charge down leads to a set restart for Parramatta before an offload from Dimech starts the new set with some real go-forward. They immediately take the ball down the left where Peadon turns from try-scorer to creator with a fading angled run to the sideline that drags the defence across. She flicks it back inside to Alysha Bell who sums up the situation perfectly to jag back infield and then dive back to the corner to score! You wouldn’t back too many to convert from that position but Alysha is a legitimate ace in that regard and there was no way she wasn’t going to tack on the extras for her own try!

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

Eels lead 24-6

50min gone

Bamblett looks to be ultra aggressive in the kickoff set. She tries to fire a long cutout pass to Alysha as the Eels cross the midpoint of the field but it is well forwards and caught by the touch judge.

Oh look another ruck call going the way of the team getting smashed in the middle. Huh. It doesn’t phase our girls though, they have really hit their straps after a shaky start and Tui shows that she isn’t just a cracking attacker as she produces an incredible ball-and-all tackle on the fullback to save a damn near certain try. Brilliant individual effort.

Defence rapidly turns to attack as an error from the Panthers unleashes Alysha Bell who flies down the left sideline. She has a horde of cover defenders on her heels but is keeping them at bay until a full stretch dive from Baker barely drags her down with 15m to go. Great footy on both sides. Penrith are then pinged for an offside defender in a try scoring situation on the next play but no sin bin comes. Parra work from left to right to try and extend their lead but Penrith defend grimly. Doueihi shows great poise on the last to lace an expertly weighted grubber kick and earn a line drop out but the touch judge interferes early in the next set to rule a flat ball as forwards and let Penrith off the hook.

Penrith get the last right of reply as they hammer the Parramatta goal line but sharp hands from Alysha Bell prevents a stabbed kick from becoming a big threat. She is forced back in-goals for the drop out but the Eels are able to defend the handful of tackles from the restart and close out a very good team effort.

Full Time

Parramatta Eels 24 defeat the Penrith Panthers 6

 

Harold Matthews Team List

12:00PM, New Era Stadium

 

1	Corey Leigh
2	Dom Farrugia
3	Jack Nicholas
4	Lachlan Vella
5	Aidan Kebourian
6	Junior Fagelele
7	Lorenzo Talataina
8	Jordan Uta
9	Zaidas Muagututia
10	Mikayel Tito
11	Anthony Abdow
12	Jezaiah Funa-Iuta (c)
13	Tyson Sangalang
14	Lachlan Coinakis
16	Ocean Vaivela
15	Lincoln Fletcher
17	Maison Ong
18	Lewis Saad

Match Updates

 

Parramatta kick off to start this game. A solid start from Penrith is met equally by the Parramatta defence as Aidan Kebourian fields the bouncing clearing kick. Parra muster over halfway on the third tackle and punch the ball downfield on the next tackle as they look to play the field position game early in this contest.

The Panthers utilise a big forward pack well in the following set however as they deliver strong run after strong run through the middle. They run it down their left on the last and keep the ball alive via offloads – the last of which looked somewhat forwards – but the referee is happy with all of it and the visitors score first courtesy of it as they dive over in the left corner.

Try scored by Penrith Panthers. Conversion successful.

Penrith lead 6-0

5min gone

The two teams trade sets before an error in the play-the-ball from the Panthers leaves the door ajar for Parramatta to strike back. The scrum is set centrefield from 35m out as Parra play to their left from the scrum win. It sets up a clean right edge play as the two halves combine to spread the ball. Fagalele to Talataina before the centre Nicholas holds it up nicely to set up a channel for the winger Dom Farrugia to fly down and score!

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

Eels trail 4-6

10min gone

Great carries by Ocean Vaivela and captain Jezaiah Funa-luta set up an aggressive clearing kick and speaking of aggressive – what a kick chase! They fly after the ball and meet the fullbasck Jaxen Edgar with some real violence in the collision as they jolt the ball loose. Tremendous effort from the right edge there.

Alas the chance is squandered as the ball is dropped early in the resultant set as the Eels attack the left edge short side. Big let off for Penrith.

Penrith’s #10 Lemoto is causing plenty of damage. He is a massive unit and can gallop and offload quite well. It leads to an attacking bomb that catches Kebourian barely inside the field of play where he is met by a strong tackle and driven back in-goals for a drop out.

Stalwart goal line defence follows and gee there are some strong collisions early on in this game. The halfback Talataina certainly hasn’t been afraid to put his body squarely in front. It all leads to a crash over attempt that the Eels turn back but it proves to be moot as the pass was forwards. Tremendous team effort there.

Parramatta are doing a good job working it out to halfway before a nasty tipping tackle leads to a penalty. They find touch down the right sideline and left left initially. Sangalang is used by Talataina to centre the ball before Leigh leads a raid down the left edge. He dummies and goes himself but is wrapped up by the sliding defence. Back to the posts via Vaivela before Fagalele has a crack himself on the last. He props off the right foot and beats the first defender but has to offload to Talataina and the halfback gets swallowed up by the swarming goal line defence of the Panthers.

The visitors pick a late penalty for a ruck infringement and find touch 10m into Parra’s half. Zaidas Muagututia is busy in defence early in the next set and Talataina again puts his body on the line to cut down the backrower Johnstone. Plenty of hustle from the home team again as the right edge stands firm on the last to force the turnover.

Oh no, sloppy pass there. Talataina is caught by the touch judge for a loose pass. It went forwards and it really shouldn’t have. Chance for Penrith to attack the Parramatta goal line.

Geez, speaking of sloppy…the officials miss a clear knock on from the Panthers and boy does it proves to be costly. The ball is dropped in a tackle right on the posts and from the following tackle the Panthers shift to their right where a late offload creates the overlap and the try in the corner. Talk about frustrating missed calls.

Try scored by the Penrith Panthers. Conversion unsuccessful.

Panthers lead 10-4

24min gone

Gee there are some rough calls going against the Eels here. Penrith go back-to-back as the left edge of the Eels is a man short again. BIg question mark about a promotion of the ball on the play before as well as the legality of the final pass. Alas it is all in the books now and the Panthers have a handy lead.

Try scored by the Penrith Panthers. Conversion unsuccessful.

Panthers lead 16-4

28min gone

No change in score through the final 2-minutes of the half as the Panthers head to oranges with a handy 12-point lead. Plenty of work to do in the second stanza but they will have the aid of a good breeze at their backs.

Half Time

Penrith Panthers 16 lead the Parramatta Eels 4

 

Second Half

 

Not an ideal start for the home team as they are pulled up for a forward pass on halfway. Need to aim up in defence as a result. Or not. Penrith are done for the exact same thing on the first tackle of the next possession.

Uta provides a good carry and offload on tackle two as the Eels from left to right. Funa-luta beats a couple as he works back towards the ruck. Leigh slices down the left and throws a dummy as he threatens to score but he is barely wrapped up. The Eels grubber towards the posts but an accidental offside from two defenders kills the ball and leads to a Parra scrum.

Coinakis carries defenders from the back of the scrum and damn near scores but is held up over the line. Uta goes one better from the delayed restart of play as he pirouettes through heavy contact and finds himself in a position to score. Pure determination there as he continues to pump the legs!

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

Eels trail 10-16

36min gone

Good first up run from Maison Ong. Funa-luta and Sangalang follow him up. It makes for a strong set after points as Talataina dots his kick down a metre off the goal line and a chase led by Farrugia pins the visitors on the very same spot.

Huge effort from Funa-luta and Coinakis there! They combine for a driving tackle and the ball is forced out from the impact with the ground. Attacking with their defence 100% right there.

Dummy and go for Fagalele on tackle one but it gets loose on the second tackle as the Eels take a knee to avoid playing an obstruction advantage.

A tremendous tackle keeps Funa-luta from scoring down the right edge short side and the attacking crossfield kick on the last is plucked from the air by the tall timber on Penrith’s right flank. Talataina was looking for Vella there but the timing was just off. Parra make things worse by conceding a penalty but Penrith fail to complete the set that spwans from it as Kebourian provides a greatly relieving carry up the guts. A poor finish to set comes due to offside chasers as Penrith go from playing the ball5m off their line to finding touch 25m upfield.

But what a shot! The Eels aim up on the first tackle and smash the ball loose. Muagututia nearly scores himself and the home team can’t find a way over through the rest of the set. Talataina looks to roll it in-goals but hasn’t got the angle and it is recovered by the five-eighth in front of the posts.

A linebreak from the visitors completely flips the field position and while Leigh does a great job at the last line the Eels are penalised for a high shot on the next tackle. We resume play after a break for the player tackled high and Penrith take the tap restart. The look to storm over with short passes at the line but the Eels stand shoulder to shoulder and find a way to force the error at the last line.

An outrageous sinbin has been blown against the Eels here following one of the move obvious milked rucks of all time. Uta will spend 10min on the sideline in a situation where it wasn’t anywhere a professional foul even if he was actually guilty of slowing the ruck down (forgetting the milked fall).

Sangalang provides a strong hit to jolt the ball loose immediately from the new set. A second dangerous lifting tackle comes from the Panthers and this one draws a sinbin. No surprise that the official has the courage to do it the second time around given the Eels were a man down.

Vaivela starts the set strongly allowing Muagututia to dart from dummy half and he has scored for all moneey save for the one person it counts for. The referee immediately signals held up but Zaidas got that down for damn near all the biscuits.

The bomb on the last is too shallow but the Panthers lose it in the tackle! The Eels need to convert the pressure into points here.

There it is! The captain has provided with a spin-cycle effort on the run slanted from right to left. He breaks tackles and fights to his feet for the quick ruck and Zaidas will not be denied this time around! He knows there is space to exploit and surges from the play-the-ball to score the crucial try.

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

Eels lock the scores up at 16-all

55min gone

Vaivela and Muagutuia lay a terrific platform from the opening tackles of the kickoff set before the Panthers are caught offside on a batted pass. Tito starts the next set off with a poweful carry as Zaidas looks to bag a double before he is cut down. Oh no that is the wrong option and it is going to hurt the team massively. Fagalele runs it to the left edge short side and wants the big pass to Kebourian to win the game but the Penrith winger was sweating on it and was cheating out of position for the intercept. He takes it cleanly and races 95m downfield to probably win the game for the visitors.

Try scored by the Penrith Panthers. Conversion successful.

Panthers lead 22-16

58min gone

The short kick off doesn’t travel 10m and the ball comes back to halfway for the penalty as hope fades for the Eels in this one.

Parra somehow force an error with 12sec left to go giving them one all-or-nothing play. It doesn’t manifest sadly and the Eels see victory slip through their grasp as the Panthers absolutely steal it care of that intercept.

 

Full Time

Penrith Panthers 22 defeat the Parramatta Eels 16

 

SG Ball Team List

1:30PM, New Era Stadium

 

1	Apa Twidle
2	Tuvaka Palu
3	Richard Penisini
4	Blaize Talagi
5	Devonte Vaivela
6	Ethan Sanders
7	Josh Lynn
8	Jack Burrows
9	Matt Arthur
10	Saxon Pryke
11	Dom De Stradis
12	Raf De Stradis
13	Charlie Guymer
14	Pat Spence
15	William Lewis
16	Sebastian Piukala
17	Kobi Hurford
18	Sam Squire

Match Updates

 

Penrith strike first in the Ball following a string of possessions on the back of a set restart from a deflected kick, a 6-again ruck infringement and then a penalty. Their five-eighth employs the show-and-go and finds a line of attack down Parra’s right edge.

Try scored by the Penrith Panthers. Conversion successful.

Panthers lead 6-0

4min gone

The Eels earn their first penalty of the game when Devonte Vaivela is very clearly attacked in the air as he defuses a midfield bomb. Great hands from the left edge of the Blue & Gold puts Vaivela into space not too long after and the big fella has a terrific leap and planting of the ball to get the Eels right back into the contest. Loveyl work from Twidle and Penisini in the lead up. Sanders strikes the conversion sweetly from the sideline but hits the left upright and is waved away.

Try scored by Devonte Vaivela. Conversion unsuccessful by Ethan Sanders.

Eels trail 4-6

8min gone

Good tough period for both teams following Parramatta’s try. It is snapped by a ruck infringement from the Blue & Gold as the Panthers heave their touchfinder to halfway.

And gee that is a fortuitous deflection for the Panthers. They are on Parramatta’s goal line with one tackle in hand and look to roll it in. It catches a defender in the front line and pings perfectly to their best positioned chaser who plucks it from the air and centres the ball behind the posts. Rough break there.

Try scored by the Penrith Panthers. Conversion successful.

Panthers lead 12-4

15min gone

Damn, Lynn has smoke1d that kickoff. It just keeps travelling until it sails dead for a penalty on halfway. Overcooked that one for sure.

The Panthers fail to build any pressure from it though as a forced offload drops behind the ruck and it called lost forwards. Marginal call there but it falls the way of Parra.

An incomplete set follows from the Eels though as Twidle reads the defence incorrectly and throws a contested pass to Penisini. Richard loses it with a defender in his face as the ball arrives.

And after seeing more than a decent slice of luck going Penrith’s way the Eels get a run of momentum for themselves. It starts with the Penrith clearing kick that barely splits the corner post on the right side for Parramatta. Instead of a 10m play-the-ball it becomes a 20m restart. Blaize Talagi then sets the tempo for the set with a scintilating carry right through the middle before the bomb on the last is allowed to bounce. Richard Penisini is haring after the ball and is the one to come down with it before muscling over for the try!

Try scored by Richard Penisini. Conversion successful by Ethan Sanders.

Eels trail 10-12

21min gone

Ah you can’t be doing that. Enterprising play from the Eels gets Twidle into space but the talented fullback forces one pass too many and the Panthers intercept it. The turnover leads directly to points as the Panthers venture down their left edge for the third time this game to snare points. This one is off another grubber – although pure in execution this time around – and their left winger pounces on it.

Try scored by the Penrith Panthers. Conversion successful.

Panthers lead 18-10

23min gone

Richard Penisini earns a set restart on the back of a relentless carry. Parramatta set up camp on the Penrith goal line from it but are turned away by committed defence. Sanders kicks to the right on the last and Talagi leaps from the ground to make it his own before offloading to Twidle looping around. The fullback quickly finds Palu and the winger honestly does extremely well to nearly score from that spot. The cover defence however arrives in droves and cuts him down short of the line.

It looks like the Eels have hit back in their next possession when a cutout ball to Penisini has the Penrith line backpedalling. He feeds Vaivela who dives for the corner  and the boys get up to celebrate but the referee has no hesitation to signal a knock on. Didn’t have a great vantage on that one so will defer to the referee.

A string of errors from both teams slows the game down as the tempo stalls with half time in sight. Chaos ball reigns though! Dom De Stradis produces a huge charge down with 20sec on the clock and gets the regather. The tireless backrower tacks on a good 30m from the recovery and gives the home team one last roll of the dice. They spin right where Talagi shows his class as he makes somthing from nothing down a narrow corrider. He offloads back inside to Lynn who loses it backwards and the Eels scoop it up and kick crossfield where a double knock on brings an end to an entertaining passage of play.

 

Half Time

Penrith Panthers 18 lead the Parramatta Eels 10

 

Second Half

 

Penrith kicking off in the second half.

An early penalty gifts the Eels a chance to build to an attacking option at the end of the set but they get fast and loose with the offloads and turn the ball over 10m into Penrith’s half.

Well done Joshua Lynn! Penrith are on the front foot due to a late offload as they get in behind the ruck but Lynn saves the day with a cheeky bat up as he intercepts the ball. Massive defensive play.

The Eels look to attack quickly down their left as Twidle injects himself down that edge. He throws a cutout pass to Vaivela but Devonte can’t bring the ball in.

Composed defensive set there from the home team. Penrith are well contained through the middle early in their possession and try to force a play down their right. Parramatta slide well and the last pass is hurried into touch.

Seb Piukala has a nice run and offload up the middle before the set is completed with a very deft kick. Best passage of play from the Eels this half.

It is then rewarded by an error from the visitors as Parramatta get a prime chance to cut the lead down with a full set on Penrith’s goal line. They only need the one tackle mind you. A well worked scrum move catches the defenders short down their left edge as Tuvaka Palu crosses untouched! That went exactly as they drew that up in training.

Try scored by Tuvaka Palu. Conversion unsuccessful by Ethan Sanders.

Eels trail 14-18

43min gone

Now that is a quality set after points as the Eels drive the ball through the ruck and heave a towering bomb off the boot of Lynn.

Penrith reply in similar fashion and draw an error from the try scorer as he loses the ball in the contest for a towering bomb. His team mates bail him out though as they rally on their goal line before Matt Arthur snuffs out the grubber kick on the last.

Attacking via the ground didn’t work for the Panthers so they go back to the aerial assault and it pays out for them. Parramatta opt not to contest the bomb and it gives a free shot at the ball for the Panthers chasers. They soar up and take the ball before offloading back to their left for the try. Have to think the Eels would contest that bomb if they had their time again.

Try scored by the Penrith Panthers. Conversion successful.

Panthers lead 24-14

50min gone

Gee it is unravelling for the Eels now. Talagi does very well to dampen any threat from an attacking grubber but sloppy work around the ruck a couple of tackles later sees that ball squirt away for a turnover. The Panthers leap onto the loose ball and shift it to their right where they catch the Eels short as they cross in the corner.

Try scored by the Penrith Panthers. Conversion successful.

Panthers lead 30-14

53min gone

Penrith look to tack onto their lead when they pick up a penalty in front of the posts. Simple attempt at goal and they duly make it an 18-point lead.

Penalty conversion successful.

Panthers lead 32-14

56min gone

Wheels have well and truly fallen off now. Twidle, who has been a rock at the back for the Eels, produces an unforced error from a kick defusal as he lets a fairly regulation bomb get big on him. Penrith play right from the scrum win and Penisini misses his one-on-one assignment as his opposite gets passed him and scores in the corner.

Try scored by the Penrith Panthers. Conversion successful.

Panthers lead 38-14

60min gone

Oh that isn’t good. Jack Burrows has worn a heavy blow trying to effect a tackle. Ref quickly blows time off and while Burrows fights his way back to his feet there were clear signs of concussion there.

Well that was certainly spectacular. Penrith score again, no surprises there given how the second half has played out, but the manner in which this one was done was certainly a cut above. A poor attacking kick on the last sails deep in-goals as Vaivela and Penisini look to shepherd it dead on the full. The Penrith winger has other ideas though and screams through, not only catching the ball at full extension but somehow getting it down before the dead ball line. Insane individual effort.

Try scored by the Penrith Panthers. Conversion unsuccessful.

Panthers lead 42-14

65min gone

No change to the score in the final 5-min as Penrith run out convincing winners.

 

Full Time

Penrith Panthers 42 defeat the Parramatta Eels 14

 

Jersey Flegg Team List

3:15PM, New Era Stadium

 

1	Lindsay Munro
2	Matt Komolafe
3	Turoa Williams
4	Will Latu
5	Lene Feterika
6	Mac Puafisi
7	Riley Lack
8	Brock Parker
9	Jacob Davis
10	Jontay Junior Betham Misa
11	Jock Brazel (c)
12	Max Topou
13	Nicholas Lenaz
14	Noah Reed
15	Lachlan Mears-Crabb
16	Nikau Wrathall
17	Ned Hicks
18	Tyson Chase

Match Updates

 

Eels kicking off in the final game of the day.

Penrith start this one well as they work towards an attacking bomb. It is a contested fight for the catch and one that clips a Penrith hand and travels forwards. Metres are tough to come by in reply for the home team as the Panthers compress and show good line speed. Early territory is in Penrith’s favour until the ball pops up off the shoulder of one of their forwards allowing Max Tupou to claim it for himself.

No too much doing this set for the Eels but they do manage to work their way to an attacking kick. That ball is sent up for Komolafe to chase but the Panthers defend it well. Lindsay Munro is well positioned for the clearing kick that comes. Again the Eels get to an attacking kick but this time they get the chase fractionally wrong and give away a penalty for attacking the man in the air.

Strong runs met by strong tackles in the next set. Brock Parker in particular provides an important tackle. Penrith look to stab a flat kick to their left edge but it is weighted wrong and sails wide for a 20m restart.

Davis earns the Eels a set restart as he snipes a marker who is out of position. A penalty follows two plays after as the Eels tap and go. After a couple of settlers the home team ventures down their right as they find Munro. He sells a brilliant deception in his pass as he shapes to hit a crash ball for all money. Instead he weaves a pass to his centre Turoa Williams who quickly feeds Matthew Komolafe and there is no way anyone is stopping the big flanker from that point!

Try scored by Matthew Komolafe. Conversion unsuccessful by Mac Puafisi.

Eels lead 4-0

10min gone

Jontay-Junior Betham-Misa is backing up from a good stint in NSW Cup on Thursday and has been busy in the opening exchanges of this contest. He starts the next possession for the Eels as they apply themselves well after points. The set is completed with a midfield bomb but the Panthers get a very late penalty call. It gives them a chance to set up shop in Parramatta’s half save for an almost immediate error in the play-the-ball from former Eel Peter Taateo.

Mind you the Eels fail to complete their next set as well as the Panthers edge ahead in the arm wrestle.

Penrith hit back via a grubber kick as the Eels are caught in a bout of ball watching. Defenders close in on the Penrith kick hoping to help shepherd it dead but the Panthers get their hands to it and plant it down to bring this match back to parity.

Try scored by the Penrith Panthers. Conversion unsuccessful.

Panthers lock the scores up at 4-all

17min gone

Big play from Komolafe there as he comes infield and pushes up in support around the ruck. He bursts into the backfield and takes on the fullback after not been able to position Munro away from cover chasers. Momentum is back with the Eels clearly now as they attack down their left off the boot. Puafisi weights a superb kick for a flying Munro that falls behind the front line but before the fullback and Lindsay shows his speed to win the race to it on the full. He dives over to score but it takes the officials some time to award. Not for any concern about the finish mind you, they are conferring about a potential 8-point try and sure enough a Penrith player is put on report and we will have two shots at goal.

Try scored by Lindsay Munro. Both conversions successful by Mac Puafisi.

Eels lead 12-4

24min gone

Parra have had their share of opportunitinies in the minutes to follow their last try but are unable to convert pressure into points. Penrith then get gifted a huge change to hit back when a lazy challenge from Mears-Crabbe is correctly pulled up. No attempt to wrap as he went after the kicker there.

The Eels hold on in the resultant set but are forced to take the ball dead for a line drop out but rally to squeeze an error from the Panthers in their third consecutive set. Unfortunately, Parra aren’t able to find their way to a completed set as they turn the ball back over with 2:30 left in the half.

Penrith can’t seize the chance though as they are called up for a forward pass early in their attacking possession.

More chaos ball on the last play of this half. Puafisi sends a shallow bomb up that Komolafe taps back to Turoa Williams. Williams tries to fight through contact to get an offload back to Komolafe but it hits the deck and is scooped up by the Panthers. They sortie downfield only to have their link pass intercepted by Lene Feterika who is then brought down to bring an end up the first half.

 

Half Time

Parramatta Eels 12 lead the Penrith Panthers 4

 

Second Half

 

Parramatta complete their first set of the second stanza but are penalised late in Penrith’s reply set for a high shot. The pressure mounts when a set restart follows for markers caught out of position on hte goal line.

The Eels defend well and catch an awful break when it looks like the Panthers lose the ball stretching out to try and plant the ball through contact. Parra defenders turn in bewilderment to the touch judge with the angle to the attempted grounding but he somehow greenlights it to the main official and the Panthers are awarded a dubious try.

Try scored by the Penrith Panthers. Conversion successful.

Panthers trail 10-12

40min gone

There we go! Munro involved again as he weaves down the right edge. He looks to link up with Williams and Komolafe to his right but his pass catches the hand of a defender. Six again the call but Komolafe is awake to the opportunity presently available. He shows flashes of real pace both now and prior in this game as he blitzes down the sideline before weighting a good pass back inside to put his centre Williams over!

Try scored by Turoa Williams. Conversion successful by Mac Puafisi.

Eels lead 18-10

44min gone

Komolafe has his name called again as he earns a penalty. Victim of a crusher it looks there. Eels find touch on halfway and get to work. Tupou has a nice run and offload to Lenaz. Left then right for the Eels before they turn the ball over on the last running it to the corner. Not an awful finish to the set since it wasn’t a 20m restart but might have missed a chance to roll it in behind there.

It sounds repetitive but Komolafe is having himself a game as he now comes down with a testing high ball with consummate ease. Lenaz undoes the good work of a nice run with a forced offload that squirrels out forwards putting Penrith back in possession near halfway.

He begins the atonement process with a bellringer tackle against one of the Penrith big men as again the Eels rally in defence. Penrith try to thread a grubber kick through but it is parried in the front line and then dived on by an Eel.

Oh my a clear knock is missed following a charge down from the Panthers. The recovery of the ball is a mess and there is a very obvious knock from the Penrith defender that is somehow overlooked.

Another salute to the goal line starch of the Eels thus far as they put a terrible call behind them and repel a series of barge over attempts from their rivals.

Komolafe and Williams provide tremendous carries to take the Eels out of danger and really should have picked up penalties for ruck interference as Penrith lay all over the two runners. The whistle remains unblown though and Williams ends up in bother as he falls awkwardly on an ankle.

He eventually recovers and plays the ball as the Eels complete the set from the boot of Puafisi. Wrathall leads the kick chase with a scything tackle and it leads to a strong defensive set that positions Parramatta well in the territorial stakes.

Again the Eels opt against kicking on the last as they give Williams a chance to post up against his opposite. He kicks out to the right but is cut down in a very good tackle as the ball ends up back in the hands of the Panthers.

Komolafe prevents a 40/20 attempt only to be dispossessed in an obvious 2-man tackle. The call is slow but it comes as the referee pings the Panthers for the clear strip. Parramatta build slowly through this set and look to have iced it with by forcing a line drop out as Williams kicks ahead for Komolafe but a very late call comes to change the outcome from drop out to penalty for I have to guess a high shot. That came from the touch judge and lets the Panthers off the hook big time.

It has been a torrid final quarter of play as a slew of calls go against the home team. They have battled on in spite of it all and maintain that crucial 8-point lead at the clock winds under 6min of play. Munro is awake to the attacking kick from the Panthers and moves up to take it. Penrith are miles offside on the following tackle but compress way too aggressively allowing Latu to skip outside and find clear space. He only has the fullback to beat from his inside and tries to take him on with a fend but is dragged down towards touch. He tries to fling a desperation offload infield but it catches his heel as he rolls over.

Penrith go on the attack for the umpteenth time this game but can’t find a seam to exploit and are pulled up for a double movement on the last. Penrith’s discipline slips in the next set as they are pulled up for a sloppy high shot and with under 2min on the clock the Eels have a chance to work the clock down to victory here.

As expected the Eels keep it ultra vanilla. Hicks ends up turning the ball over with 20sec to play but Parra show the same steel in defence they have all game as they close this one out in a brilliant team effort.

 

Full Time

Parramatta Eels 18 defeat the Penrith Panthers 10