The Parramatta Eels are in action in all 3 Junior Representative grades in the first week of finals at Campbelltown Stadium today. The Harold Matthews start the day at 10:00AM as they take on the Cronulla Sharks. The SG Ball follow at 11:45AM as they clash with the Western Suburbs Magpies while the Tarsha Gale close out the triple header at 1:30PM with a massive rematch against the team they drew 10-all with earlier this season in the Illawarra Steelers.

Follow all the live updates right here on TCT and catch the action live on NSWRL TV live stream via the link below!

NSWRL TV Facebook Link

 

Harold Matthews Team List

 

1	Corey Leigh
2	Dom Farrugia
3	Alma Faataga Seve
4	Lachlan Vella
5	Aidan Kebourian
6	Junior Fagalele
7	Lorenzo Talataina
20	Jordan Uta
9	Zaidas Muagututia
10	Mikayel Tito
12	Anthony Abdow
11	Jezaiah Funa-Iuta (c)
13	Tyson Sangalang
14	Lachlan Coinakis
15	Ocean Vaivela
21	Mark Williams
17	Maison Ong
18	Lincoln Fletcher

Match Updates

 

First Half

 

The Eels will receive the ball in the first half.

Tito starts this game off with a good carry. Abdow and Uta follow him up with Uta double dipping with a second strong charge. Fagalele completes the set with a long bomb that is almost taken in-goals but the referee rules play on. The Sharks still clear their half easily when the Eels concede the first penalty of the game.

Numbers to the right for the Sharks early in their next set but they play short allowing the Eels to hold firm. Cronulla run it down their left on the last and find a crease to attack with their backrower Watson. Corey Leigh is on the spot at the last line to repel him though and Parramatta effect the turnover on tackles.

Dom Farrugia provides an important run to get the Eels out of their red-zone and goes on to earn a penalty as he is held down. Vella taps and goes from the touch finder as Uta follows him up. Fagalele goes one right to Tito before having a dart himself to take the ball inside 10m of the goal line. Talataina turns Sangalang inside to set up the last play where the Blue & Gold spin wide left care of a great pass from Talataina. It finds Vella in stride and the centre backs himself to score but is pulled down painfully close. He had Kebourian to his left and that was probably the better play there as Cronulla survive.

Some physical defence from both teams now with Kebourian copping a violent short on a kick return. Wonderful work around the ruck there! Leigh splits defenders before finding Muagutitia who then passes to Funa-Iuta! Cronulla somehow hold on though and the Eels look to have lost track of the tackle count following it as they use a settler on the last.

The Sharks are doing some work around the ruck as the Eels are caught on the backfoot for several tackles. The front line defence bends but doesn’t break, forcing the Sharks to clear it, which sees Farrugia claim the ball for his own. Simple set for Parramatta in reply as they kick early for territory. Outside chance of a 40/20 here if the ball kicks to the right but it doesn’t. Parramatta are then penalised for a lifting tackle and Cronulla get a prime chance to open the scoring.

Cronulla work from right to left. Early set restart here too for the Sharks. Seve makes an excellent one-on-one tackle down Parra’s right as the Sharks are forced to work back to their right where there is a massive obstruction overlooked by the referee. Gee that is ordinary. Junior Fagalele steps up in the absence of any call to make a jolting shot that forces the ball loose! Very good defensive set there from Parramatta.

Tito starts the next set for the Eels with Vella taking the ball down the left edge short side on the second. Sangalang is tasked with bringing the ball back to the openside with Tito following. Leigh again injects himself into the game as he lurks around the ruck! Beautiful fullback work here as he accepts the short ball from Muagutitia to open up the Sharks. He drifts to his left and passes to his right to find Fagalele who carries a defender on his back over the line to score! Excellent footy.

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

Eels lead 6-0

13min gone

Tito provides the first hit up again. Big man piling up the work here. Left now to Abdow for the Eels as they rumble over halfway via captain Funa-Iuta. Tito brings up the last as Talataina sends up a bomb that falls 5m out from Cronulla’s goal line. A strong chase pins the Sharks near that point but over eager defence is pinged a tackle later as the Eels shoot up too early. Big let off.

Ooph that is stinging defence from Sangalang and Tito. Leaves a Shark dusty as well. Again Parramatta’s goal line defence stands tall with scramble defence chopping down the backrower Beau Watson as he attacks off his left foot against the sliding defence. The hustle from the Eels has been top notch thus far. It looks like Watson has been left for the worse after that run as trainers attend to him. Hopefully it is nothing serious for the young Shark.

Watson is okay! Cronulla still have a play up their sleeve as they venture down their right. They roll the ball behind the front line as Leigh sweeps across to try and clean it up. It kicks up as he arrives and he tips it up. He tries to regather it but is hit by the defence before he can reel it in. The ball bobbles across the in-goals as a result and the Sharks win the race for the loose ball to score.

Try scored by Xavier Singh. Conversion unsuccessful by Nikora Williams.

Sharks trail 4-6

19min gone

The Sharks fail to get to their kick! Huge opportunity for the Eels here but they squander it as Tito drops the ball early in the reply set. Not sure if that was more on Muagututia or Tito there but regardless it releases the pressure on the Sharks.

And the Sharks reply strongly with a series of testing carries through the middle that set them up for an attacking raid on the last. They go back to the well that saw them score with a grubber down their right edge but Leigh takes this one cleanly. He is however trapped in-goals as the Sharks get the repeat set.

Need a big set from the Blue & Gold here and again Fagalele provides! The energetic five-eighth jams well and pressures the attacker into the mistake. Love to see that.

Great start to this set care of Ocean Vaivela. Sangalang and Coinakis work the next two tackles before Funa-Iuta has a dominant carry down the right! Desperately unlucky not to get a penalty there as well. Fagalele sends up a simple bomb that is caught easily by the Sharks but it traps them near their goal line. Can the Eels pressure the Sharks without giving up the penalty here? No. Unlucky there though probably as that one was milked pretty hard for a ruck slow down. Sharks have done it easy coming off their own line thanks to these timely penalties. Parra have to tidy that up.

Gee that is quality work from Farrugia! Cronulla test him with a grubber kick, the first time attacking Parra’s right edge that way this game, and he just soaks it all up. Beats three defenders on the run back across his goal line and the Eels go on to earn a penalty a play later.

Sangalang sets the tone early in the next set with a surging carry. Vaivela centres the ball strongly before the Eels go right where Talataina is drilled on the sweep play. Fagalele can’t find the in-goals with his kick on the last and the Sharks hold on but this is where the Eels have conceded so many penalties. Maison Ong hammers a Shark runner and for the first time in ages the Sharks have to kick from inside 40m. Kebourian takes the kick comfortably before Farrugia and Vella eat up big metres. Leigh has a run from dummy half as the Eels work right to Funa-Iuta who again is so hard to bring down. Last now as Fagalele runs right but kicks left for Coinakis but it is far too heavy off the boot. 20m restart for the Sharks with a minute on the clock.

Parra have to hold no here and they do just that as the Sharks make an error on halfway! Under 30sec on the clock as the Eels take their time packing a scrum. They look to be doing it deliberately to bleed the time down to enough for a single play. The feed the ball with 7sec left as Talataina chips ahead for Farrugia but the Sharks defend it easily with five-eighth Blake Wardrobe fielding the kick before he is tackled to bring an end to a very good opening stanza of footy from both sides.

 

Half Time

Parramatta Eels 6 lead the Cronulla Sharks 4

 

Second Half

 

Eels kicking off in the second half.

Big contact on the opening run! Sangalang and Vaivela providing the concrete there. Cronulla recover well as they build down their left edge bringing the ball over halfway with a tackle to spare. Leigh cleans it up near his goal line and gets back to the 10m line. Kebourian and Farrugia roll the sleeves up over the next two tackles before it goes left to Adbow who powers over the ad-line. Ong brings up the last before Talataina steps past kick pressure and sends up a midfield bomb. Net gain for the Sharks though as they win the first territorial battle of the half.

Set restart for Cronulla as well as they get a full possession attacking Parramatta’s red zone. Leigh barely brings down the rampaging #8 Tuigamala but the Eels hold on and a play later the Sharks drop the ball under duress of jamming Eels. Huge defensive set.

Parra rally tremendously to take the ball deep into Cronulla’s half as Talataina kicks to his right winger Kebourian. Aidan comes down with it and flicks the ball to Funa-Iuta who grubbers ahead neatly and the Eels stay onside on the chase to trap the fullback near his line. The Sharks cough the ball up in reply as the Eels fire up. Adbow attacks down the left before Vaivela takes it back to the posts. Right here to Fagalele who sends Funa-Iuta into the line. The Sharks pour in to hold him up.

Sangalang plays to Vaivela to bring up the last where Talataina tries to stab a kick in behind. It is caught in the front line, real borderline whether it was knocked on or not, but the call goes the way of the Sharks and they get the ball back.

Strong tackles from Coinakis and Talatina early in this set but the Eels have their line broken up the guts by the interchange prop Dellow. Scramble defence saves the day but the Sharks still have the ascendancy as they kick ahead knowing Leigh is out of position from the break. Fagalele is on the spot though and taps the ball dead as Singh hares down from behind him.

Line drop out is taken by Farrugia. Sharks are content to attack up the guts early in this set. Lock forward Alex Challenor goes close to scoring but is held up under the posts bringing the back to the 10m mark. They attack Parramatta’s right edge where Seve does very well to contain the raid and on the next play no one really knows what happens. A deflected kick is ruled play on but no tackle reset before it eventually comes back for a Cronulla knock on. Very late call there.

Unfortunately Kebourian has lost it on the first tackle for the Eels as the Sharks get a huge chance to go ahead here. Talataina makes an important tackle on his opposite number from the scrum win. Sharks go wide left where their prop Tuigamala is lurking but strong defence contains him. Cronulla make the error coming back to their right, has happened a couple of times now, and the Eels escape the jam.

Tough metres from the Eels in the next set but they do extremely well to fight their way to centrefield only for an error to cap their momentum. Really need to put a lid on these turnovers now as the Sharks are getting way too much help from Parra courtesy of them.

Gee Talataina is throwing his body around today as he hammers a backrower! Massive shot from the halfback on Kaden Garner. Would you know it? The Sharks venture right and again get it wrong as the pass ricochets forwards off the backrower.

Parramatta are very unlucky not to pick up a penalty from a Kebourian run but Muagututia has something cooking with Funa-Iuta down the right with a cheeky dart and pass. The backrower opts against the offload as the Eels get to work on the Cronulla goal line where Talataina forces the error with a grubber kick! Huge chance here for Parramatta.

Centrefield scrum for the Eels, well after cautions to both captains for some flaring tempers. Fagalele will feed the ball. Muagututia at lock. Zaidas runs left and is brought down. Right to Mikayel Tito who barrels over and is barely held up over the line! How did they stop him?

Parramatta have multiple cracks down their right edge where again they are held up by a fractional margin. Third time is the charm though as Tito screams onto the ball before spinning through contact to slam the ball down under the posts! What an effort. What a run!

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

Eels lead 12-4

47min gone

Lovely hands from Talataina lets Seve rip in down the right edge. A big left edge shift comes in the wake of it as the Sharks jam aggressively on the sweeping play. Uncertainty over who tips the ball onto the ground but after conferring with his touch judge the referee signals an error against the Eels.

Damn a late 6-again call goes to the Sharks. Another full set on Parramatta’s goal line to come but they never get through it as they make an error in a tackle right in front of the posts! The ticker in defence has been super today.

Finally a penalty! Muagututia showing his crafty skills there as he picks up a penalty against offside defenders. Vella starts the set from halfway. Coinakis and Funa-Iuta take carries before Leigh hares down the right edge and is brought down. Zaidas completes the set with a grubber kick and his kick chase bring the Sharks down just inside the field of play.

Good defensive set from the Eels here. It forces Cronulla to heave the ball downfield where Farrugia claims it. Kebourian and Seve come infield for work this set with Leigh backing them up. Simple set for the Eels as they work with the clock here with 6min of play left. Time is called off with Fagalele and Funa-Iuta knicked up.

Oh that was stupid. Clear late shot from the resumption of play gifts the Sharks a penalty and puts an Eel on report. Was that Mark Williams? Not sure but it was silly and puts Cronulla in the box seat to narrow the lead.

Big tackle from Tito before Williams gets redemption with a monster charge down and carry! The big man takes the ball 70m downfield shedding a chaser in the process. The Eels come a bit undone through this set as they try to force play down their left but thankfully get to their kick or not because captain Jezaiah Funa-Iuta who takes the game into his own hands with a dominant run that sees the big man score the match winner! The officials have to race away from the try immediately to put out a spot fire as tempers flare. This has been cooking all game with Sharks centre Nikora Williams been a truck match away from exploding. He has unloaded on Keborian off the ball here and will sit down as a result. Mikayel Tito has also been put in the bin, presumably for retaliating as the third man in.

Try scored by Jezaiah Funa-Iuta. Conversion successful by Dom Farrugia.

Eels lead 18-4

58min gone

No change to the score with under 2min of play to run out as the Eels prevail in a physical clash on the back of outstanding defence. Tremendous game from the Matts today!

 

Full Time

Parramatta Eels 18 defeat the Cronulla Sharks 4

 

SG Ball Team List

 

1	Apa Twidle
2	Devonte Vaivela
3	Richard Penisini
4	Blaize Talagi
5	Mohamed Alameddine
6	Josh Lynn
7	Ethan Sanders
8	Lance Fualema
9	Matt Arthur
10	Saxon Pryke
11	Dom De Stradis
12	William Lewis
13	Charlie Guymer (c)
14	Sebastian Piukala
15	Sam Tuivaiti
16	Raf De Stradis
17	Pat Spence
18	Kobi Hurford
19	Sam Squire

Match Updates

 

First Half

 

The Eels will receive the ball to start this game.

William Lewis fields the flat kickoff before Lance Fualema gets to work with a bustling carry. Dom De Stradis is met by strong defence on the third but picks up a penalty right on the 40m line. Ideal start here for the Eels as Sanders finds touch.

Saxon Pryke gets us underway before the Eels work right to captain Charlie Guymer who runs the ball well. Lynn has to carry itself with his outside options not in sync before Apa Twidle close down the left edge. He is dragged down though so back right for the Blue & Gold where Sanders forces a line drop out with a near perfect grubber kick.

Lynn fields the drop out and uses Fualema. Left to Pryke before Guymer digs into the line. Arthur and Sanders can’t link up cleanly though and the Magpies are extremely relieved to escape a torrid opening passage of play.

Driving defence here from the Eels. Need to be careful of discipline though and sure enough as soon as I bang out those words they are pinged by the main official.

That was a forward pass and yep the ref is right on it as the Magpies try to play before the line through the ruck. Straight forward call right there.

The scrum is set centrefield on Parramatta’s 30m line as Lynn feeds the scrum. Arthur plays to Pryke on tackle one before Penisini has a carry. Pryke has his second carry of the set before the Eel play the left edge short side to Penisini who is tackled cleanly. It comes undone for the Eels down the opposite edge as Twidle looks to pass to Blaize Talagi but the ball is left behind. The Magpies scoop up the loose ball and pocket a neat gain from it.

Parramatta’s goal line defence gets it first test where it holds up just fine. The Magpies send a crossfield bomb to their right as the Eels choose to stay on the ground and make the tackle where they force the error.

Dom De Stradis and Talagi get work early in this set as Guymer puts his hand up for another run. Fualema brings up the last as Sanders sends a bomb up. It is allowed to bounce by the Magpies and takes an incredibly kind turn for the fullback Heath Mason. Slice of luck there for Wests.

Second phase play nearly opens things up for the Magpies but the Eels bend without breaking before Twidle takes a really nice catch under pressure on the last. Talagi gets the Eels out of trouble with a carry that picks out an offside defender before Sanders booms it downfield with a mammoth touchfinder.

Fualema first up in the next set as he falls forwards. Twidle dummies and runs on the second before Guymer brings the ball back to the right. Sanders tries to kick early and catch the fullback out but the ball is deflected. He does earn a penalty mind you as he is accosted off the ball trying to clean it up.

Tap and go but gee that make a complete meal of it and lose the ball on the first play. That is not how it was drawn up.

Poor discipline again from the Eels as they are penalised for slowing the ruck down. No need there as well. Wests on the attack as a result.

Expansive play from the Magpies as they go to their right. Penisini holds his own though with a good tackle near the sideline. The ball comes back to the posts as their five-eighth Galvin takes the ball himself and on the last Sanders does very well to tidy a grubber and stay in the field of play.

Tough set here for the Eels. Wests are aiming up are restrict the Eels to their 22m mark only to give away a penalty on the penultimate tackle of the set for hands on the ball. Lynn finds touch here as the Eels get back to work. Guymer with another carry this set before Fualema gets the call. Sanders kicks early again, clearly something they have seen on tape, but it rolls dead and the Magpies face near zero pressure from the set as a result. To make matters worse the Eels concede another penalty as the ref blows the pea out of his whistle against both sides in the first half.

Alright the officials have missed a clear knock on there from Wests. Parramatta hold on through the set to force a kick where the Magpies damn near score from a kick to their winger Tavana only for desperate defence to force the ball loose. Penisini and Alameddine combining there.

The Eels are throwing caution to the wind again here as they raid the right edge of the Magpies. Arthur starts it as Alameddine finds a bit of space before kicking ahead back infield. Wests get the favourable bounce and get another chance to attack the Eels only to let it all slide with a forward pass late in the tackle count. This game is absolutely wild right now as we go from end-to-end constantly. Eels really need to settle before the Magpies do.

Seb Piukala is on and gets an early carry here. Penisini up next before Alameddine carts it up. Pryke takes the Eels near halfway and Sanders completes the set with a kick that squeaks inside the field of play before finding touch. Very close right there but ultimately a tidy kick that is marked on Wests’ 20m line.

Oh dear another penalty for offside defenders. What an ugly game from both sides in terms of discipline thus far. Piukala is left on the ground after a tackle early in this set. Parra scramble but give away a set restart after getting caught offside on the goal line. Piukala looks to have recovered thankfully but Wests are peppering the Eels here and eventually strip them for numbers as Parramatta’s left edge run out of defenders. The fullback Heath Mason takes advantage of it with a dummy and a step to force his way over for first points.

The referee has a chat to both captains about the high penalty count in the mean time.

Try scored by Heath Mason. Conversion unsuccessful by Elijah Pettit-Young.

Wests lead 4-0

23min gone

Strong start to the set for Wests. They are playing very physical here and indeed their prop Miller finds some space behind the ruck before offloading to his fullback. Massive metres up for grabs here as the Eels cling on. Beware the second kick now as Wests again kick right and reclaim the ball. They offload to support and kick ahead to the in-goals where Guymer tidies it up but is hammered. Tempers flare up as a fracas breaks out while Guymer is slow to get to his feet.

Officials convene for a long chat before it is determined that Guymer was taken high. The Wests captain is put on report and the Eels will kick for touch. Two passes in field to Piukala as Pryke takes the run on the next play. Sanders plays beautifully to Dom De Stradis who breaks the line before passing back to Ethan who has a sortie to his right before he is tackled. Wests scramble tremendously though and hold on as the Eels play to their left on the last where Sanders runs it to line and is dragged down by a pair of desperate defenders.

Again the Magpies do very well to ruck it out of danger and complete the set with a very good kick that finds the grass. Alameddine claims it eventually but is met strongly by the kick chase. A big shift to Talagi nearly opens play up before Arthur and Lynn play the right edge short side brilliantly to release Devonte Vaivela. He takes on the fullback and is cut down in the field of play and the Eels squander the chance as Twidle looks for the grubber instead of the shift to the left. The kick is too heavy off the boot and the Magpies get a 20m restart.

How have the Magpies salvaged a drop out from this? They have almost certainly knocked on there but the officials see it otherwise. Massive slice of luck. The Eels kick short and look to have come up with the ball only for the ref to spy a knock on from Penisini there.

Good contact from Vaivela on the first play there. Wests work back to their right where the Eels drive them backwards. First up contact has been good this set and it is rewarded with an error in the play-the-ball late in the count. Parramatta did very well there after a string of tough calls.

The Eels play conservatively here with a bit over 2-minutes on the clock. Getting to their kick and limited the return. Not the worst choice really. Wests take a few tackles to find a good run in reply allowing the Eels to improve their field position before Talagi picks up a penalty with 30sec to play. Lynn finds touch 10m inside Wests’ half and there is an immediate shift to the left to Richard Penisini who gets a step on his opposite centre as time runs out. He can’t link up with Alameddine on his left before contact is made though and the ball squirts out forwards as the siren signals an end to play. It has been a fast and frenetic first half but the Eels have been below their best on the balance of things. Will need a massive second stanza to overcome a big Wests line-up.

 

Half Time

Western Suburbs Magpies 4 lead the Parramatta Eels 0

 

Second Half

 

Parramatta to kick off.

Lynn starts the second half from the kicking tee. Wests put together a good opening set as they work over halfway and to an attacking kick. It is too heavy off the boot to contest allowing Alameddine to field it safely. The Eels do not start this half well though as they cough up possession cheaply in their first set and put the Magpies firmly on the attack.

Oh this an awful start to the half as the Eels concede a late set restart. Wests just camped on the line here. Parra are holding on somehow and eventually force the ball back to the 10m mark after holding up a dummy half crash over attempt. They fight their way to the last but are trapped in-goals on the back of a brilliant grubber kick from dummy half.

Short drop out to Penisini for the second time today. This time he bats it back to Alameddine! Terrific play there but the Eels get it all wrong coming over halfway as a pass hits a player who had no idea. Got to lock in here boys, they are just too far off the pace right now.

All Wests here as they force another line drop out. Parramatta have really set the table for them though with these errors. Short again and this one is allowed to bounce as the Eels make it two from three! It is keeping them in it right now but a timely penalty takes a lot of pressure of the Blue & Gold. Play resumes on halfway.

Sam Tuivati starts the set well with a good run. Right to Talagi who continues to threaten with early ball. The Eels centre the ball before playing left with another early kick from Sanders but the homework isn’t paying off today with the Wests custodian Mason making his adjustments and putting himself on the ball to clean it up.

Oh that is so close to a scoring play! Parra run it down a left edge short side as Penisini looks to release Alameddine only for a last gasp touch to bat the ball down. The Eels do pick up a repeat set though and Apa Twidle says damn it, I will do it myself! The fullback, a breakout star of the season, sorties down the left edge with the ball in two hands out in front. It causes a fraction of hesitation from the defence and he seizes on it and he puts the foot down and knifes through for a critical try!

Try scored by Apa Twidle. Conversion successful by Ethan Sanders.

Eels 6-4

48min gone

Simple but effective set after points only for it all to be undone by a terrible kick chase. Heath Mason should have been pinned 10m off his goal line but the kick chase from Vaivela and Talagi is just terrible as they let him skip left to a razor thin shortside where he beats them and races 90m to score a massive try. That should have been Parra ball the moment he dared to go the sideline and instead he comes up trumps. What a swing in this game.

Try scored by Mason Heath. Conversion successful by Zakauri Clarke.

Wests lead 10-6

52min gone

Carnage from the kickoff as Raff De Stradis makes massive contact on the first tackle. Both he and the player he tackled are in all sorts with time immediately called off. Both players get back to their feet but concussion checks are almost certainly coming. Raff is off but somehow the Wests trainer is letting his player stay on. That is wild. And now the play becomes a penalty for a high shot. What is happening here, that looked like a head knock hence the double damage? It puts Wests on the front foot again.

Good work from Twidle at the conclusion of the next set as he defuses a dangerous grubber kick. Time off again for an injured Magpie. Eels still have 16min on the clock to engineer a comeback here.

Nice ruck work from the Eels this set as shorts passes and runs in behind play get them out of danger before Sanders dots the ball over the sideline just about 13m out from the Wests’ goal line. Need a defensive stand now to begin to win that arm wrestle.

Wests do very well in this set though as they work to an attacking kick. Twidle is contacted in the air and loses it backwards as the ref allows play to carry on before signalling a Wests knock on.

Fualema and Talagi make strong metres before Sanders looks for a 40/20 but he hasn’t go the angle and Mason retrieves the ball for the Magpies. The Eels desperately need to find something here as time starts to run scarce.

Instead it is the Magpies who create a linebreak as their centre Saukuru beats Talagi near the sideline. He has zero support thankfully as the Eels rein him in and the big back cramps up following the tackle. Oh no, the Eels have touched it on the last and the Magpies get a fresh set. This could signal and end to the game if they score.

Parramatta hold on grimly early in the following set as Wests attack their right edge. Make that another set for the Magpies as the Eels can’t scoop up an errant pass. Just an avalanche of possession here as the clock ticks over 60min.

Right from the scrum win for the Magpies. Somehow the Eels have held on as an unnecessary cut out pass is grassed.

They need something from nothing here after struggling early in this set and it takes a combination play from Alameddine, Sanders and Twidle to bust them open! A terrific ruck run from Alameddine lets him put Sanders into space and the ever present Twidle is rewarded with his second of the day as he streaks away to put the Eels on level pegging! Sanders will then give them the lead with the extras.

Try scored by Apa Twidle. Conversion successful by Ethan Sanders.

Eels lead 12-10

64min gone

This game is balanced on the edge of a knife. The Eels complete a good set with a long kick that takes a brutal bounce to the in-goals where it barely trickles dead. Wests punch the ball downfield in reply and bomb it to Vaivela who is outjumped by the fullback Mason only for the fullback to lose it forwards in the contest. Insane closing exchanges here.

Pryke is hit violently but holds on well. The Eels grind it over halfway as Dom De Stradis puts his hand up. Fualema sets up the kick with a rumble up the guts with Sanders kicking for Alameddine who takes the bomb and flings it back to Sanders who drops it. Wests have time here but lose the ball early in the next possession! Parra need to keep cool heads with under 2min to play. They play safely to the right before coming back left to Guymer. Arthur has a cheeky run out of dummy half but has a runner overrun it to his right. He keeps calm and attacks back to his left with a dip, duck and dive that would make Patches O’Houlihan proud to score the match winner! Sanders runs the clock out and the Eels have stolen a HUGE win here.

Try scored by Matt Arthur. Conversion successful by Ethan Sanders.

Eels lead 18-10

 

Full Time

Parramatta Eels 18 defeat the Western Suburbs Magpies 10

 

Tarsha Gale Team List

 

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 (c)
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
19	Raphaella Perigo
21	Serah Poloaalii
22	Alliyah Ghannoum
23	Siulolovao Vave

Match Updates

 

In the final fixture of the days, the Eels will receive the ball as the look to make it a clean sweep for the Eels in the first week of the finals.

Laila Dimech gets us underway with Kalisi Mahe following her up. A short shift to Kyanna Lokeni is up next as the Eels work the ruck. Good opening set as the Eels push up to halfway before the clearing kick completes the possession.

The Steelers threaten first with prop Hope Millard doing damage around the ruck. Scramble defence minimises the damage before the Eels get the ball back with a tough set ahead of them. A big run from Lindsay Tui relieves the pressure as Doueihi completes the set with a long kick. Steelers have the territorial advantage here though as the Eels have their defensive line tested early on. Thankfully Illawarra provide an unforced error to take the foot off the throat.

Tui is the catalyst for Parra again with another dangerous run which in turn allows Pottinger to jump out of dummy half and punish offside markers with a penalty. Akauola Laula shows some nice ball skills with a terrific ball to Makaah Darcy that puts the lock forward through the line but she loses control of the ball as she shits the deck and the Steelers can let out a sigh of relief.

Good defensive set from the Eels here and Debbie Doueihi seizes on it with a great catch and return to the 40m mark. Hayley Bells rips in next as the Eels go over halfway and Tui continues her great start to the game with another testing run through the ruck. Dimech steams onto a short ball to set up the last and Tallara Bamblett produces a superb grubber kick to force the line drop out. What a professional set.

Doueihi plays the kick off her boots and sends Sandford into the defence and it ends up preceding a wonderful backline move. It starts with the halves combining before Doueihi hits Caitlin Peadon in stride. Tui has set the tone early for the Eels and Peadon responds brilliantly herself as she hammers into the line and passes to Alysha Bell for the first points of the day!

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

Eels lead 4-0

10min gone

There goes Bella Sandford! Good lord she winds up for that one. The Eels are powering downfield on the back of it as they look to heap the pressure on. Dimech looks for a late offload but the held call is there so play comes back. Tui sets up the last with an inside run before the bomb goes up. Darcy Eade takes it nicely and gets drilled by the kick chase but the tackle tips over the horizontal for a penalty.

Some strong contact here from the Eels but the Steelers respond with a quality carry from Sienna Yeo. The crossfield kick finds the grass but Tui is alert to the danger and gets back to clean it up. Now Doueihi slides through the front line! She is trapped just over halfway but the Eels are on the front foot here. A.Bell and Dimech centre the ball before Bamblett completes the set with a well weighted kick that will pin the Steelers on their goal line.

Huge chance here for the Eels with a loose pass from the ruck immediately pulled up. The Eels will get possession inside the Illawarra red zone. Scrum will set leftfield. Shortside raid from Bamblett now as she dummies and takes on the line but loses it into contact. The ball flies out as well and rolls dead for a 20m restart.

Penalty against the Eels for a high shot here as they continue to play a physical brand of defence. The Steelers go up a gear in the following set though with their halfback Yeo continuing to ask serious questions of the Eels. She is caught on the penultimate tackle though and the kick in her absence is far too heaving off the boot leading to a 20m restart. Alas, Parramatta produce an unforced error 10m short of halfway and give the Steelers another look.

Good ball play from the Steelers as they work it from right to left. The Eels maintain their focus though and force Illawarra to kick where their chasers are quickly called offside by the vigilant main official. Alysha Bell finds touch as Tui takes the tap restart.

Doueihi is crunched in the next tackle but it is deemed to be illegal as she jumps up and takes a quick tap. Pottinger surges up the middle with a dart before the Eels start cooking with a little bit of second phase footy. Darcy is held up over the line in the wake of it all as play comes back 10m. Confusion on the last as Bamblett switches sides and runs it. She is playing like she had tackles up the sleeve but the ref says it is a turnover.

The Eels ring up another strong defensive set but the Steelers produce a very good clearing kick down a skinny left edge angle to find touch 25m out from Parra’s goal line.

Nice run and offload from Maru there, Illawarra are struggling to contain her. Mahe is turned back inside before play goes back to the left where Peadon nearly pokes her way through. Parramatta look to find the in-goals with a grubber kick but it is too heavy and rolls dead. The Steelers start the 7-tackle set with an enterprising shift to their left edge but make a mistake at dummy half on the next play.

Bamblett nearly opens the Steelers up on the first tackle as the Steelers hold on for dear life. She is involved two plays later with something developing down the left edge but her pass to her fullback Doueihi is dropped. Big chance missed there.

Gee it comes back to haunt the Eels as well. The Steelers haven’t been able to build a great deal of pressure on Parramatta in this half but this time they create a long range opportunity down their right edge. Peadon is outpaced by her opposite Mia-Rose Walsh and the Illawarra centre streaks down the right edge to the corner for the leveller.

Try scored by Mia-Rose Walsh. Conversion successful by Tayleah Hancock.

Illawarra lead 6-4

28min gone

Now there is a wind in the sails of Illawarra as they muster the ball over halfway with tackles in hand. A strong set is undone though by a shanked clearing kick as Savill sprays it over the line on the full. Time on the clock for a handful of plays for the Eels but despite some second phase play they can’t find a way through and will head into the sheds down by 2-points at half time.

 

Half Time

Illawarra Steelers 6 lead the Parramatta Eels 4

 

Second Half

 

Parramatta to kick off.

Just 30min to play now as the Eels look to book a berth a third grand final qualifier today.

Danger now as the Steelers explode out of the blokes with a huge carry from Ella Koster. She breaks into the open field and runs past Doueihi as the Eels scramble for all their lives. Messy play from the Steelers prevents them from capitalising on the chance but Bamblett’s hand catches the ball as she races up to make a tackle leading to a fresh set for Illawarra. This is not how Ryan Walker had it drawn up at half time.

Left from the scrum for the Steelers as Ahio is tackled just short of the line and the Eels are too concerned about the shift to the left as their marker defence is left exposed. It paves the way for Brody Preston to burrowover for a huge four-pointer.

Try scored by Brody Preston. Conversion successful by Tayleah Hancock.

Steelers lead 12-4

34min gone

Parramatta have to arrest the momentum of this game and quickly. Illawarra are grinding it up the guts and finding good metres doing so. They shift right to their fullback late in the count but Eade is well tackled before Yeo challenges Doueihi with a good bomb. She loses it backwards but the chasers were offside making it all moot. Alysha Bell finds touch as Tui gets us back underway.

Oh that is an excellent carry from Akauola Laula who then has the ball pulled out after big post contact metres. The ref gets it right with the penalty call. That was pretty blatant.

Tui with the opening carry again. Working her backside off today. Cawthorne turns Maru inside on tackle two. Left to Bamblett who uses Doueihi who in turn feeds Peadon. Mahe takes it back to the posts with interest before Akauola Laula is barely held up over the line.

It comes back for the last tackle as Parramatta run it down their right. For a moment it looks like there could be a chance for Hayley Bell to have a crack towards the corner post but the defence swarms her for the turnover.

Kanye Maru with the kick clean up! The big prop does extremely well to defuse a chip kick and pinch some metres from it as well. The offloads are starting to come for the Eels as they pick up a second penalty for a stripped ball. Tap and go for Pottinger. Lokeni drags defenders for a ride before she is pulled down. Left for the Eels on the last as they run it again. Mahe tilts back infield and goes perilously close to getting over the line but she is dragged down short and the Eels can’t convert the opportunity into points.

Razzle dazzle play from the Steelers as the run it on the last down their right. A string of incredibly optimistic offloads keeps play alive before the kick ahead. Again Tui parks herself in a spot ideal to save the day but unfortunately the Eels spill the ball on the next tackle. Worse still, the ball is live and scooping up by Illawarra five-eighth Savill who links up with centre Shaye Shipton to score a backbreaking try.

Try scored by Shaye Shipton. Conversion unsuccessful by Tayleah Handock.

Steelers lead 16-4

45min gone

All one way here as Illawarra just steam downfield. The only way they can be stopped at this stage is via an error and thankfully that comes on the last as Savill drops the ball cold. A much needed penalty for offside defenders finally puts them on the right side of halfway but that have a mountain of work to do with a 12-point deficit and 12min left on the clock.

Dimech and Lokeni get the early work here before Darcy goes back to the posts. Bamblett plays short to Mahe but the ball is lost in contact and the Eels again fail to build on a premium chance to get back into this contest.

Eade somehow finds a crease for the Steelers are immediately gets them out of their red zone and the Eels pile on the pain with a penalty that is followed by a second penalty from a quick tap due to a high shot. Points here close out this game. Parra have no recourse but to hold on.

Bamblett provides a big play with an intercept as the Eels get off the hook. Now Lokeni makes a break out of nothing! She is surging downfield but hasn’t got the legs to go the distance and unfortunately the Eels lose it on the following play. Real story of the day for the Eels. They have created the chances but have not converted.

Under 8min to play here as Alysha Bell fields a kick in plus territory. The Eels are over halfway on tackle two with Tui as they work left from there. Good run from Darcy up the guts and on the last they pick up a penalty for some rubbish in the ruck. Tap and go the only option here down two converted tries. Dimech runs and offloads to Pottinger who goes close. Offside markers impede the play and that is an easy sin bin for a cynical foul but the referee doesn’t pull the trigger. Massive call in the context of this game and I think the ref got it badly wrong.

Dimech winds up again. Left to Bamblett who plays to Leila Black. Oh no! Lovely shortside play from Bamblett has Alysha Bell over in the corner but she loses possession shifting her grip to ground it and the Steelers escape someway, somehow.

The Steelers march downfield in reply as a fatiguing Parramatta defence wilts. It culminates in a burrow over try from Jayla Commins as the Steelers put this result beyond doubt.

Try scored by Jayla Commins. Conversion unsuccessful by Tayleah Handcock.

Steelers lead 20-4

57min gone

Another error from Parramatta. They did well to recover a short kickoff but Doueihi loses it cold sweeping down the left edge. Illawarra punch through the right edge defence of the Eels in return as they look to add on some insult-laden points. The siren rings out before they can do so though but alas our girls see their 2023 campaign come to an end in a match they will rue for a raft of missed opportunities. Still, I salute them for another excellent season and look forward to where their paths take them moving forwards.

 

Full Time

Illawarra Steelers 20 defeat the Parramatta Eels 4