Lisa Fiaola Cup

 

1	Sienna Bonello
2	Logan Lemusu
3	Jasmine Rorani
4	Mitszy Cairns
5	Kaylee Andrews
6	Sharon Latapu
7	Aaliyah Soufan
8	Leonia Vei
9	Tiani Faiva Tulemau
10	Shire Thocolich
11	Leyla Oueik
12	Danielle Seckold
13	Fontayne Tufuga
14	Bailey Ma-Chong
15	Khyliah Gray
16	Mere Sivo
18	Evelyn Kuwendu
17	Ana Vave
19	Alleya Scrivens
20	Essence Alo

 

Match Updates

 

First Half

 

The Eels kick off to the Dragons. Good physical sets from both sides to start this contest but the Eels gain the early ascendacy care of a penalty late in their opening set. It was Tufuga who earned that call. A left side raid from Soufan nearly opens the Dragons up as the halfback dummies and goes before they are dragged down a metre short of the line. The forwards bring it back to the posts and some fantastic offloads have the home team on the board! Looked like the bookends Leonia Vei and Mere Sivo combining there!

 

Try scored by Mere Sivo. Conversion successful by Sharon Latapu.

Eels lead 6-0

3min gone

 

Tufuga in the thick of things again as she blitzes the Dragons up the guts. She breaks through the front line but her pass is dropped as she looks for support to her left.

The Eels are resolute in defence and force a midfield clearing kick from the Dragons before getting back to work. Again they make inroads down their left edge where lock forward Tufuga makes another quality gain before Soufan digs in deep into the line before drilling a superb grubber kick through the line. The kick chase is in hot pursuit and arrives at the contest for the ball just after the St George custodian Emma Warr. It leads to a double knock on with the Eels getting the feed. Alas, Parramatta can’t capitalise on the chance as they make an error early in the next set.

St George get a chance to test the goal line defence of the home team shortly after following a lapse from the Eels’ fullback Bonello from a clearing kick. The goal line stand holds though and Parramatta deliver a staggering counterblow as Leonia Vei and Fontayne Tufuga hunt in a pod together. The prop forward slips a cracking offload to the industrious lock and Tufgua goes on to show some impressive wheels as she hammers out the 50m dash to the goal line in good time!

 

Try scored by Fontayne Tufuga. Conversion successful by Sharon Latapu.

Eels lead 12-0

17min gone

 

Make it back-to-back for the Blue & Gold! A break from the kickoff puts the Eels in prime position. Evelyn Kuwendu it was with the big play down the right sideline. Parra throw everything and the kitchen sink down their right edge in the following tackles but the Dragons do very well to hold on. Vei in particular was perilously close at one point. It takes the home team to the last tackle of the set and they choose to spin it from right to left. Some great hands through the process keep the passage alive before Danielle Seckold creates the open channel for her centre in Jasmine Rorani to score.

 

Try scored by Jasmine Rorani. Conversion unsuccessful by Sharon Latapu.

Eels lead 16-0

21min gone

 

There goes one of the more chaotic tries you will see. The Eels tack onto their lead following a long, long, looooong sequence that takes them from left to right where the centre Carins and winger Lemusu fight to keep the ball alive. Offloads and tip ons carry play back to the left before Soufan loses a pass backwards. The scramble for the ball sees the Dragons tip the ball forwards and the tackle count reset but the Eels feel the play opening up as they keep the ball alive. It eventually is passed out to the left flank where Kaylee Andrews sets sail for the line and blazes her way over for a crazy team try!

 

Try scored by Kaylee Andrews . Conversion unsuccessful by Sharon Latapu.

Eels lead 20-0

29min gone

 

One last chance for the Eels to score before half time following an offside penalty from the Dragons on the kickoff. While they drive to ball to the St George goal line they can’t breach the line again and the half comes to a close.

 

Half Time

Parramatta Eels 20 lead the St George Dragons 0

 

Second Half

 

A stop and start second half is broken open by Bailey Ma-Chong as she darts out of dummy half and flicks a pass to Seckold down the left edge. The Parramatta backrower is dragged down after making the break which leads to Soufan lacing a terrific kick to force a line drop out.

No surprise that Ma-Chong is all over the fatiguing Dragons’ defence from the repeat set as she essentially mimics her play from the last set with a dart down the left edge short side. This time she simply goes herself and burrows over in the corner!

 

Try scored by Bailey Ma-Chong. Conversion unsuccessful by Bailey Ma-Chong.

Eels lead 24-0

39min gone

 

Two-fer for Ma-Chong! The Eels are rolling today and it is Kuwendu who gives impetus to this set. The backrower thunders through the ruck and sets up her half on the next play for a weaving run. That in turn has the defence reeling as Bailey Ma-Chong leaps out of the play-the-ball to scurry for the line. She is met strongly right on top of the white stripe but fights her way to the ground and looks to have caught the chalk for her second try of the day!

 

Try scored by Bailey Ma-Chong. Conversion unsuccessful by Bailey Ma-Chong.

Eels lead 28-0

42min gone

 

Some beautiful interplay between forwards here for the Eels. Twice in the same set they work in pods and ball play late at the line. I think it was Vei with the intitial break in the first combo-play while Tufuga was the beneficiary the second time around as she strolls over for her second try today!

 

Try scored by Fontayne Tufuga. Conversion successful by Bailey Ma-Chong.

Eels lead 34-0

50min gone

 

The forwards have an outstanding platform today and once again Leonia Vei is starring in that regard. She notches up another strong carry and offload as she finds her halfback Soufan who in turn quickly links up with Seckold. Danielle then basketball passes quickly to her left finding Rorani who then props off her left leg twice to find open space against the sliding defence before setting her radar for the goal line as she joins a number of Eels today with a brace of tries!

 

Try scored by Jasmine Rorani. Conversion successful by Bailey Ma-Chong.

Eels lead 40-0

59min gone

 

The brace becomes a hatty! With a minute to play the Eels marshal one final attacking raid against the Dragons. They run it on the last with the shape set to go left to right but Kyliah Gray pivots back against the flow. The ball comes to the dummy half Ma-Chong who takes it down the left edge using the backrower Seckold who calmly puts her centre Rorani over for the treble! The conversion is unsuccessful.

 

Try scored by Jasmine Rorani. Conversion successful by Bailey Ma-Chong.

Eels lead 44-0

 

Full Time

Parramatta Eels 44 def. the St George Illawarra Dragons 0

 

Tarsha Gale Cup

 

1	Dallis Graham-Withell
2	Aysha-Rain Pietersz
3	Caitlin Peadon
4	Lindsay Tui
5	Hayley Bell
6	Raphaella Perigo
7	Aaliyah Haumono
8	Kalisi Mahe
9	Rory Muller
10	Liaina Dimech
11	Leila Black
12	Bella Sandford
13	Ryvrr Lee Alo
14	Charlotte Cawthorne
15	Micayla Bourne
16	Alliyah Ghannoum
17	Ciara Stockham
18	Losaline Sikahele

 

Match Updates

 

First Half

 

Eels to kick off in the Tarsha Gale. So close for the Eels in their first possession. After containing the Dragons to their own half and forcing a poor clearing kick, Parramatta spark an opportunity when they run it on the last with their #6 Perigo. She feeds Lindsay Tui who bursts into open space and has the choice to pass inside or outside. She goes back to her five-eighth but the cover defence converge at the last moment to wrap Perigo up on the goal line and save the opening points.

Another strong defensive set positions the Eels for a crack at the St George goal line after Hayley Bell swallows up the clearing kick on inside the visitor’s half. They are unable to convert the chance though with an error on the goal line letting the Dragons off the hook.

A penalty for a highshot finally relieves the territorial pressure on the Dragons and they reply with a damaging carry that opens the Eels up. The Parramatta fullback Graham-Withell is beaten inititally buts showsp lenty of ticker to come back at the runner and drag her down a metre short of the goal line but the referee is right to quickly call up the play when a second Eels divers on the tackle. It was the centre Peadon I think and she is immediately sent to the bin. Clear cut as well.

Credit to the Blue & Gold though as they refuse to yield even with the player disadvantage and turn the Dragons away from the resultant set!

And now they deliver a booming blow as powerful runs to Tui and Sandford pave the way for Liaina Dimech to surge onto a short ball in front of the uprights and storm her way over! Sandford hits the right post with her conversion attempt and is waved away after the ricochet caroms away.

 

Try scored by Liaina Dimech. Conversion unsuccessful by Bella Sandford.

Eels lead 4-0

13min gone

 

Gee that is sensational work from Ryvvr-Lee Alo! Two involvements in the kickoff set for the bustling lock as she first steams onto the ball and offloads to her fullback Graham-Withell in support before backing up shortly after to make a linebreak of her own. No one will stop her either as she streaks to the goal line from 30m out for a well deserved try!

 

Try scored by Ryvrr-Lee Alo. Conversion successful by Bella Sandford.

Eels lead 10-0

16min gone

 

It could have been three tries on the trot with a player in the bin for the Eels as they run it on the last down their left edge once more. It is a near carbon copy of the play earlier where Tui chose to go back inside but this time Lindsay plays it left to her winger Pietersz. Again the fullback for the Dragons, Alaiyah Williams, arrives in the nick of time to make a cracking cover tackle and barely repel the Eels.

The tempo is outstanding from the Eels in their next possession. They are crisp and relelentless around the ruck as Rory Muller commands her pack over the advantage line play after play. A sweeping left edge option puts Graham-Withell into play as she knifes through the right edge of the Dragons but AGAIN her opposite in Williams makes a try saver with nary a centimetre to spare. Her efforts end up for naught though with the goal line wide open for Muller to dive over and score!

 

Try scored by Rory Muller. Conversion successful by Bella Sandford.

Eels lead 16-0

21min gone

 

Raphaella Perigo shows some great vision to snatch a sharp intercept around the ruck before she is very nearly dropped on her head. Clear penalty for a dangerous lift there. Muller explodes through the middle the next play but just as the Eels look set for an ominous shift to their right edge the referee pulls them up for an infringement in possession. Incorrect play-the-ball is the call.

The precipitation is holding off at the moment but it is raining intercepts at Eric Tweedale as Aaliyah Haumano joins her halves partner Perigo with the takeaway! She snuffs out an attacking opportunity for the Dragons with her wily read and turns it into a four-pointers as she races near enough to 50m to score a cracking solo try!

 

Try scored by Aaliyah Haumono. Conversion successful by Bella Sandford.

Eels lead 22-0

28min gone

 

Half Time

Parramatta Eels 22 lead the St George Dragons 0

 

Second Half

 

A messy pass from dummy half leads to a knock on for the Dragons and thus gives the Eels the first attacking set of the second half. It only takes the home team two plays to tack onto their lead as well after Muller burrows over for her second of the day.

 

Try scored by Rory Muller. Conversion unsuccessful by Bella Sandford.

Eels lead 26-0

34min gone

 

Rock solid set after points for the Eels as they bulldoze their way into the opposition half before Perigo traps the Dragons in the corner with a well weighted kick.

There is finally a lull in the scoring as the Eels and Dragons settle to some degree. Errors and batted passes disrupt the flow of the contest with mutiple scrums peppering changes of possession.

A big set for the outside backs after Peadon and Graham-Withell set the tone early before Bell and Tui combine thorugh the middle to plunder a big gain. It carries the Eels for a shot or two at the goal line. They look to run it on the last at Haumono plays a skinny right edge using her big prop Kalisi Mahe. There are two or three defenders there to try and wrap her up but she rolls through the tackle to get the ball down.

 

Try scored by Kalisi Mahe. Conversion unsuccessful by Bella Sandford.

Eels lead 30-0

47min gone

 

Some great starch shown by the girls in defence now with the Dragons given multiple looks at the Parramatta goal line. Despite a number of barge and burrow over attempts and a couple of grubber kicks the Eels hold on nicely.

Lindsay Tui splits the Dragons up the middle as the clock ticks under 5min to go and ends up collared high by the fullback Williams for a penalty. Some neat ball work from Haumaono has the Dragons on the backfoot down their left edge but they rally to bring down her partner in Perigo on the last as the score remains 30-0.

Liaina Dimech falls about half a metre short of a famous try after carrying, shedding, stepping and straight up bulldozing just about the entire opposition forward pack across 40m. A cruel end to a fantastic individual effort. It still culminates in a try as second phase play between Haumono and Ciara Stockham gets the interchange forward over as the siren rings out!

 

Try scored by Ciara Stockham. Conversion unsuccessful by Dallis Graham-Withell.

Eels lead 36-0

 

Full Time

Parramatta Eels 36 def. the St George Illawarra Dragons 0

 

Harold Matthews Cup

 

1	Cyrus Bloomfield
2	Jarell Tutuila
3	Andes Johansson
4	Nathan Howlett
5	Lorima Rokosuka
6	Talen Risati
7	Lincoln Fletcher
8	Ryda Talagi
9	Ezra Leota
10	Leviticus Funa-Iuta
11	Samuel Polley
12	Michael Nauer
18	Natututasina Leota
14	Wesley Pakoti
15	Billy Fanene
16	Kasinga Noa
17	Ocean Noah Vaivela
25	Sanjae Ulu-kini

 

Match Updates

 

First Half

 

The Eels will receive the ball. Ooh, a nervous start as the Eels fail to trap a fading kickoff with their boot. Thankfully they retrieve it and get back into the field of play. A good run and offload from Talagi carries the Eels towards halfway and they look to run it on the last but are trapped 10m into enemy territory. The Dogs make a meal of their first set though as they drop the ball cold and compound the error with a penalty brought about pretty clearly from frustration.

Risati cleans up an errant pass from the ruck and thank goodness he does. It keeps the Eels alive and on the very next tackle they go over care of an excellent grubber kick from Lincoln Fletcher and a spirited chase from Samuel Polley! Cracking chase and put down from the young backrower.

 

Try scored by Samuel Polley. Conversion successful by Lincoln Fletcher.

Eels lead 6-0

5min gone

 

Ryda Talagi does very well to navigate a diffcult, swirling kickoff but an error in the ruck midway through the set prevents the Eels from completing their possession after points. A chance for the Dogs to strike back now.

Good defensive involvements from Polley there as she backs up for the double. Canterbury look for offloads but the home team stay awake to the threat as they wrap up the ball before earning a line drop out care of a dangerous grubber kick that the Eels have to bat dead under duress.

Really nice tackle from Howlett down the left edge from the drop out set. Snuffed out any threat the Dogs had building down that side. It forces them back to the posts before they take a second crack at the left edge of the Eels as they sail a long cutout pass to the sideline. Lorima Rokasuka leaps high for the intercept attempt but can only bat it forwards to set up a third consecutive set for the Dogs but they turn it over almost immediately in reply. Good goal line stand there.

A nice, solid set follows. Nothing fancy but they hold onto the ball before Risati drills it downfield with a flat but effective clearing kick. Polley leads the chase once more as he continues his busy start to this game.

Time is off with Leviticus Funa-Iuta receiving treatment. Might be an ankle concern there. The young bull is carried off by trainers, unable to put weight on his left ankle. Hoping for nothing serious but it looks to be a nasty sprain at the very least.

Play resumes with the Dogs coughing up the ball again. Parra set a scrum 5m inside the opposition half and work to their right. A 6-again call comes their way before Cyrus Bloomfield nearly steps his way through the ruck defence of the Dogs but just as the Eels look to be set to test the goal line defence of the visitors the ball is turned over.

The Dogs are able to hit back in the following set as their dummy half Mason Phillips rips through the front line of the Eels. He comes to the fullback Bloomfield and completely sells him on the dummy, not sure if he supporting runners there to be honest, but he gets Cyrus to bite and the other cover defenders can’t catch him in time as the scores are reset at 6-all.

 

Try scored by the Bulldogs. Conversion successful.

Bulldogs lock the scores up at 6-all

16min gone

 

Canterbury open the door for the home team following a penalty and then a poor contest for a bomb. Scrum is set 20m off the Bulldog’s goal line for the Eels as they go left. Talagi centres the ball fiercely before Risati digs deep into the line. Vaivela is barely held up under the posts and it breaks down from there as Bloomfield gets the ball in an awkward spot with supporting runners and chooses to play on leading to a penalty against the Eels for obstruction.

Now the Dogs fail to find touch so the Eels are back in possession as they play fast down their left edge to Naeur who does very well to hold on to the ball. Bloomfield creates a half chance for his winger Tutuila after beating a defender or two down the right edge but Jarell can’t bring the pass in and the Dogs are off the hook. Still had a bit of work to do there but I think that was a legitimate chance.

Pakoti has injected himself nicely into this game with some real energy around the ruck. The Eels work their way into another look at the Canterbury goal line where Ocean Vaivela is once again held up by the barest of margins. Risati chips for his winger Tutuila by the ball squirts towards the sidelines.

I was in the process of wrapping up the first half with the Eels in possession on their own 20m line and nary 30sec of play left. Instead the home team engineer an outrageous try as Ezra Leota torments the Dogs through the ruck as he weaves through the middle before offloading to a supporter. I missed who it was but he does superbly to keep the play alive and find Fletcher who immediately pivots to Bloomfield screaming through on his right. The wicked pace of Parra’s custodian is on full display as he scorches the left edge of the Dogs to put the Eels in front! A wonderful team try.

 

Try scored by Cyrus Bloomfield. Conversion successful by Lincoln Fletcher.

Eels lead 12-6

 

Half Time

Parramatta Eels 12 lead the Canterbury Bulldogs 6

 

Second Half

 

Rain has set in at Eric Tweedale amidst the break. Nice start to the half for the Eels. Following a strong defensive set they pick up a penalty on Bloomfield’s kick return for a rather overt flop.

Ezra Leota has anotehr nice scoot from dummy half as he finds Fletcher in support. Risati steps up next as he laces a good grubber that earns a drop out. Canterbury go long as Feltcher finds a flying Talagi for a great start. Vaivela up next with a bullocking carry that sets up a run for Leota next tackle as the livewire rake bursts through two defenders to score under the posts!

 

Try scored by Ezra Leota. Conversion successful by Lincoln Fletcher.

Eels lead 18-6

35min gone

 

The home team are rolling now as their middles continue to deliver powerful carries through the ruck. A penalty for a high tackle puts them back in the opposition half but a miscue between Fletcher and Nauer lets the Dogs off.

Sometimes luck just falls your way and that is the case for the Bulldogs as they peg one back courtesy of a perfect deflection. It looked like their half got the kick option wrong with serious heat coming for him in the form of kick pressure but his rushed flay at the ricochets perfectly to his backrower Fine Fale who is in the perfect place to pluck the ball up and score.

 

Try scored by the Bulldogs. Conversion unsuccessful.

Bulldogs trail 10-18

40min gone

 

A big glut of possession for the Dogs now and it culminates in a bizarre try. Following a play-the-ball on Parra’s goal line the ball just ends up inside the in-goals. It looked for all money like it was dropped from a short ball by the Dogs but the referee rules play on and the Dogs dive on the ball. Fletcher remonstrates with the referee about the call but it is on the scoreboard now and the visitors bank two fortuitous four pointers in a row.

 

Try scored by the Bulldogs. Conversion successful.

Bulldogs trail 16-18

44min gone

 

More and more pressure now as the Dogs complete their set after points by trapping Bloomfield in-goals. Tremendous kick and chase to get it done and now the Eels really have to roll their sleeves up. They respond in the exact manner they needed. Pakoti and Fletcher combine for a cracking tackle on their line before the Dogs turn the ball over next play.

They have to get to their kick now but as I type that they cough it up straight away. Deary me and just like that the Dogs are over and in front. A miserable stretch of play here punctuated by equal parts bad luck and bad play.

 

Try scored by the Bulldogs. Conversion unsuccessful.

Bulldogs lead 20-18

48min gone

 

Good energy from Risati now as the Eels look to bridge the deficit. The same set leads to a penalty as the Dogs collar an attack high. The mark is 15m from directly in front and practically a throw over. Fletcher steps up and duly obliges.

 

Penalty conversion successful by Lincoln Fletcher.

Eels lock the scores up at 20-all

55min gone

 

A 6-again call late in the count sets the Eels up for their choice of attacking raid of field goal attempt from inside the Canterbury red zone but an error in the play-the-ball from Ocean fizzles either play. A penalty for a high tackle lets the Dogs then escape their own quarter.

Now pure chaos. A sequence of play in which the Dogs appear to knock on twice leads to Bloomfield getting sent as he seemingly unloads on the referee. Regardless on whether the calls were incorrect, if you vent at the referee in that manner nothing good will happen and the Dogs will get a chip shot attempt at the win from just to right of the posts.

(Edit from Sixties: Bloomfield dropped an F bomb after the second possible knock on in the same play resulted in a six again call. In the first instance one Bulldogs player tapped the ball up in the air in trying to catch a pass and it was caught by another player. For mine a clear knock on. In the second instance, the Dogs player was trying to catch a high pass. It appeared to be coming off his shoulder as the tackle hit him. The ref deemed Parra knocked the ball out. Again I thought a tough call. The ref sent Cyrus for directing the expletive at her. The audio will either result in a suspension or clear him).

AND IT IS MISSED! The Dogs strike the left upright and Ryda Talagi shows a wonderful set of hands to pluck the deflected kick out of the air! Under a minute left and man down as the Eels look to spark an improbable win. A shoulder charge is missed as the Bulldogs get away with a big missed penalty and despite a see-sawing run of play from chip kick attempts and plenty offloads from both sides the score is unchanged as the siren rings out.

 

Full Time

Parramatta Eels 20 draw with the Canterbury Bulldogs 20

 

SG Ball Cup

 

1	Junior Fagalele
2	Mohamed Alameddine
19	Corey Leigh
4	Devonte Vaivela
5	Dominic Farrugia
6	Lorenzo Talataina
7	Dylan Brettle
8	Javahn Stevenson-Hala
9	Jai Camilleri
10	Sebastian Piukala
11	Jezaiah Funa-Iuta
12	Tyrese Lokeni
13	Max Popo
14	Mark Williams
15	Lawson Moffitt
16	Beau Lucien
17	Izaiah Mafi
18	Tyson Sangalang
19	Corey Leigh
22	Lachlan Coinakis
25	Elijah-Shane Tapau-Taylor

 

Match Updates

It’s a long stint covering four grades and Forty has had to tap out. I’ve (Sixties) taken over on my phone and I’m no Forty so the blog won’t be as detailed.

Dogs kick off and the Eels last tackle kick near halfway is charged down. Dogs complete the set with an overcooked kick so Eels survive their first defensive test.

Parra work to the red zone and run a narrow blind. Corey Leigh offloads to Mohamed Alameddine who crashes through the fullback to score. Conversion unsuccessful.

Eels 4 Bulldogs nil five minutes gone

Both teams have traded errors then the Eels give away a last tackle penalty to gift red zone possession to the Dogs. A driving Eels tackle forces a forward pass and it’s an Eels feed.

Parra work downfield but it’s another incomplete set as he ball is deemed lost in the tackle by Funa-Iuta.

The calls are all falling the Dogs way here as they pick up a six again followed soon after by a penalty. Parra defend superbly!

The Dogs begin the set with a scrum in their quarter. They get through about three tackles then split the Eels defence on halfway and their half backs up the break to plant the ball between the posts. The 5/8 converts.

Bulldogs 6 lead Eels 4. 15 minutes remaining in the first half.

well that’s a lesson about letting the ball bounce. The Dogs hoist an ugly kick that is allowed to bounce around the 30 metre line. Fagalele had rushed up to no man’s land and the ball takes a wicked bounce over his head. The Dogs win the race to the ball and cross next to the posts.

Converted.

Bulldogs 12 lead Eels 4. 12 minutes remaining till the break

It’s all Canterbury. As I type up the last try they make a break in the kick off set. A pass to a support player is knocked down by Parra and the Dogs pick up the scraps to score between the posts.

Converted

Bulldogs 18 lead Eels 4. 9 minutes till half time.

Camilleri has started off the bench today but his injection into the play has been successful. He’s taken on the defence from dummy half and darted over for a try next to the posts.

Converted by Dom Farrugia

Bulldogs 18 lead Eels 10 with six minutes to the break.

The Dogs have been penalised in possession and Parra have the ball in the red zone. The Eels receive a scrum feed with 90 seconds to go but the ref takes at least 40 seconds to be happy that it’s set.

Only time for four tackles max. Funa-Iuta is carried over the sideline and Parra get the penalty. Farrugia lines up the kick from out wide. It’s a huge kick but it hits the very top of the upright and bounces back into the field of play. Parra gather it but the play is shut down.

Half time – Bulldogs 18 lead Eels 10

Second Half

An Eels Error has gifted prime territory to the Dogs. Fortunately they’ve turned it over in Parra’s quarter.

Parra get a kick downfield, the Dogs fumble it in their red zone. Parra regather and the ball is immediately flung to Farrugia who goes for the corner but is bundled into touch. The ref gives a lucky call to Parra declaring advantage not taken. Scrum to Parra but they turn over possession cheaply.
The Dogs themselves turn over the ball but Oarra barely get through a couple of tackles before making an error. This time the Eels have to pay as the visitors split them with their number 8 charging into open field and beating Fagalele on his way to the line.

Comversion unsuccessful

Bulldogs 22 lead Eels 10 after 11 minutes of the second half.

The Eels need to get control over their wrrors here. Alas they can’t complete their next possession!

Luck escape for Parra as the Dogs win the race to a kick in the in goal but can’t ground it. Parra get a set restart in the following set. The play works to the posts and Javahn Stevenson-Hala crashes through defenders to score. Conversion successful by Farrugia.

Bulldogs 22 lead Eels 16 with 18 minutes to go

Parra gets a penalty in the kick off set but the error follows as they are penalised for obstruction. The Dogs are in the Eels quarter and Funa-Iuta traps and regathers the last tackle kick. The touchie tells the ref he lost it and it’s a Dogs feed. Jezaiah isn’t happy!

A last tackle kick into the in goal is fumbled by Fagalele but the Dogs can’t control it either. The ref calls Eels 20m restart and the touchie points to the posts. The officials confer and Parra gets the call.

The Eels march downfield but the Dogs survive. They now turn defence into attack. The y break through from their own end of the field and it looks like former Eel Zaidas Muagututia (Edit: it was Kaufusi not Muagututia) backing up to out sprint Dylan Brettle to the line for the try.

Conversion successful

Bulldogs 28 lead Eels 16 with about ten to go.

A kick to the Eels corner from about 50 metres out sees the Dogs get to the ball before Junior Fagalele. They’ve taken control of this encounter now. Conversion unsuccessful.

Bulldogs 32 lead Eels 16. Three minutes left

The Eels get one last shot but the ball goes down in the quarter

Full time

Bulldogs 32 defeat Eels 16

 

Under 16 Development Squad Game

Eels vs Bulldogs

First half

No team lists but I’ll try to give score updates. Parra have the ball in the Dogs red zone and are peppering the left edge. The number 9 goes himself and scores.

There are no conversions in this game.

Eels 4 Bulldogs nil three minutes gone.

Great run from the Eels number 2, fielding a kick on his own side of halfway then surging down the sideline. He’s brought down a metre out. A couple of tackles later the number seven feeds a delightful short ball to the 11 who scores on the left edge.

Eels 8 Bulldogs nil 6 minutes gone

The Eels have survived a couple of sets on their line and save a try in the corner bundling the Dogs right winger into touch

Parra now survive another scare as the Dogs lose the ball over the line.

The Eels half has just kicked a booming 40/20. The Dogs defend well then gather an Eels kick and break downfield. A penalty in front of the posts follows and they score a couple of tackles later from dummy half.

Eels 8 lead Bulldogs 4.

End of first 20 minute period

Second Period

Eels kicking off and the teams have changed ends.

The Dogs kick downfield on the last. The Parra fullback picks the ball up on the try line and beats the first chaser. He tries to break down the left wing but is tackled into touch. Prime location now for the visitors and they take full advantage hitting the other wing for the try.

Eels 8 Bulldogs 8 two minutes gone second period.

The Dogs are back deep into Parra territory after a penalty. Another penalty follows but they throw an awful pass. Parra scrum on their own ten.

Parra have six again on the Dogs line. The dummy half now steals his second try!

Eels 12 lead Bulldogs 8 – 8 minutes gone in the second period.

Parra turn it over in the kick off set. The Dogs bomb on the last but are ruled offside.

The Eels make a break down their left edge and it looks like the left winger who has scored.

Eels 16 lead Bulldogs 8 with seven minutes left in the second period

After a couple of sets Parra has made a play the ball error on their quarter line. The Dogs win the scrum. Oops – they’ve passed it to an Eels player. Parra work it over halfway and the 5/8 goes the chip chase. Two Eels lead the race but the ball takes a near right angle bounce! The Dogs get into the Eels red zone and a fairly soft try follows.

Eels 16 lead Bulldogs 12. One minute to go in the period

End of second 20 minutes

Third Period

Dogs back on the attack in the red zone in the  third minute. They shift right and the try is too easy.

Eels 16 Bulldogs 16

Thats a cracking try from the Dogs off the kick off. They break the defence from their own ten and the support streams through. The offload comes and it’s a near 100m try as the Dogs touch down in the left corner.

Bulldogs 20 lead Eels 16 with 13 minutes left

Parra allow the Dogs to field their own last tackle bomb. The ball is passed and then the Dogs grubber ahead and score.

Bulldogs 24 lead Eels 16 about 6 minutes to go

Parra get possession in the Dogs half. The ball shifts left towards the winger but the pass goes through his hands and into touch.

Full time

Bulldogs 24 defeat Eels 16