The penultimate round of the junior reps is upon us and the Eels are alive in all four grades ahead of a mammoth day of footy against the North Sydney Bears. TCT brings you the blow-by-blow coverage of the action starting at 9:45AM with the Lisa Fiaola and running all the way through to the SG Ball at 3:00PM.

All fours game are also live streamed on NSWRL TV!

Lisa Fiaola Cup Team List

1	Fiafia Freedom Crichton Ropati
2	Nikita E
3	Mitszy Cairns
4	Essence Alo
5	Kaylee Andrews
6	Sharon Latapu
7	Aaliyah Soufan
8	Leonia Vei
9	Bailey Ma-Chong
10	Fontayne Tufuga
11	Alleya Scrivens
12	Leyla Oueik
13	Kyliah Gray
14	Tiana Fava Tulemau
15	Sovita Hagedorn
16	Danielle Seckold
17	Ana Vave
18	Evelyn Kuwendu
19	Anika Penitani

Match Updates

 

The Parramatta Eels field the ball to start this Super Saturday.

Errors mire the start of this contest with both Parramatta and North Sydney turning the ball over cheaply. The early territorial battle favours the Bears but an early mistake in the set lets the Eels off. Parramatta spin the ball to their left in reply as Soufan gets the ball out to Cairns who in turn offloads to Nikita E. Nice run from the flyer as she sorties back infield. The Eels complete the set with an attacking bomb but it is well defused however the visitors lose the pill in the ruck two tackles later.

Gray takes a hearty charge towards the uprights and is dragged down a metre short of the line before I think Sovita Hagedorn takes a carry. She doesn’t get up to play the ball and the referee immediately signals time off. It doesn’t look like good news with the trainer signalling to the sideline. Indeed, the stretcher has come out and we can only hope it is for precautionary concerns.

Play will resume after a long break with the trainers taking the utmost care with Sovita.

Leonia Vei will take over the play-the-ball. Rapid shift left from the Eels as they look to catch the Bears napping after the big delay of game. Soufan rifles a cutout pass to Cairns down the left as the big, powerful centre explodes off her left foot to drive back towards the posts and roll through several would-be tacklers and score! Bailey Ma-Chong just sends the conversion attempt to the left of the uprights.

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

Eels lead 4-0

9min gone

The Eels spill the ball backwards from the kickoff before the forwards get to work. Fontayne Tufuga and Leonia Vei set a good platform midway through the set but the shift to the right edge unravels as Ropati drops a delayed pass.

The Bears are building nicely in reply as they work their way into Parra’s half. The Eels tighten up late in the tackle count and force North Sydney to kick from outside the red zone which sees Nikita E swallow up the bomb and make a strong return. Cairns provides a good follw-up a couple of tackles later before the Eels venture to their left on the last. Nice hands from the home team as Soufan finds her backrower Scrivens who then frees up the speeder E with a great final pass. Nikita only needs a sliver of daylight to strike and she knifes through the gap between winger and the sliding fullback to slam the ball down. Ma-Chong delivers the bonus points with a wobbly strike that just keeps going from out wide!

Try scored by Nikita E. Conversion successful by Bailey Ma-Chong.

Eels lead 10-0

14min gone

Soufan fields the kickoff and feeds Tufuga for a big initial gain before the Bears are caught offside on tackle two. A well struck touchfinder takes the Eels to halfway. Tufuga and Gray take the early runs in the next set. Play creeps towards the right edge before Ma-Chong zips out of dummy half looking for the try. The Bears scramble to hold her up short of the line and manage to do so but Tufuga jumps into dummy half and hits a flying Vei back to the left. The low player wins in leverage and Vei has all the leverage in this tackle as she drives through the defenders and grounds the ball. Another wobbly strike from Bailey but again she raises the flags from outwide!

Try scored by Leonia Vei. Conversion successful by Bailey Ma-Chong.

Eels lead 16-0

18min gone

Great hands from Cairns! The Bears drive it hard, low and short looking for a result from the kickoff but the left centre for the Eels is awake to the danger. Simple but effective stuff for the home team from their as they hammer it through the ruck. Soufan looks to take advantage of the roll forwards as she tries to rip a bullet pass to Nikita E but the ball travels solidly forwards from her hands and the officials are right on it.

After a spirited start the Bears are wilting somewhat here as they struggle for metres and botch their clearing kick. Essence Alo fields the miscued kick and it sets the home team up with plus field position. They immediately get back to dominating the ruck and it opens a channel for Ma-Chong to attack through and she seizes on it with another damaging dart that allows her to reach out and score under the posts. She has no problems converting her own try, her easiest conversion attempt of the day.

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

Eels lead 22-0

22min gone

Scrivens gets the chance to field the kickoff now and does a good job. Big charge from Vei and it paves the way for Ma-Chong to explode out of dummy-half on the next tackle. She weaves her way to the right and flicks an expert pass to Sharon Latapu in support and the five-eighth glides her way to the corner to keep the scoring streak alive. Tough attempt here and Bailey drives it hard from the right sideline. It has the distance but not the direction as its pulls left.

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

Eels lead 26-0

25min gone

Tufuga delives a thunderous kickoff return as she drags defenders all the way to 30m out from Parra’s goal line. In her haste to get to her feet though as loses the ball and the Bears finally get the ball back after an eternity.

Simple stuff around the ruck for the Bears through the first three tackles of the set. They get good tractrion from their #16 and it lays the table for a raid to their left but the pass from dummy-half is a shocker as it hits the ankles of the North Sydney half and is promptly knocked on.

Great carry and offload from Gray as she finds Cairns with the basketball flick. Cairns immediately releases E and the klaxxons are firing as she surges down the left sideline. The Bears drag her down after a nice gain but her speed forces them to lay in the ruck to slow her down and the penalty comes as a result.

In the next set the Eels get to work on the North Sydney goal line. Freedom Crichton Ropati goes perilously close to scoring down the left edge but is pulled down short. The Eels choose to play the short side on the next tackle as Ma-Chong feeds her half Soufan who in turn passes to Nikita E as the winger dives over in the corner for her second. Ma-Chong has a fair crack at the extras but narrowly misses to the left. There is next to no time left in the half and indeed the Bears have no interest in forcing a kickoff before the siren.

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

Eels lead 30-0

29min gone

 

Half Time

Parramatta Eels 30 lead the North Sydney Bears 0

 

Second Half

 

Eels are kicking off in the second half.

Nice set from the Bears with some strong carries last in the tackle count setting up a good clearing kick. Crichton Ropati doesn’t bring it in cleanly but recovers well before she is clipped high for a penalty. The Eels again do well on the touch finder and Freedom nearly rips through the front line following a short ball. Ma-Chong and Latapu take turns running the ball from there but the home team come unstuck on a left edge raid as Crichton Ropati can’t bring in a pass behind her hips. The Bears fail to get through their reply set though so the Eels get a fresh chance to test the goal line defence of the visitors.

Latapu plays late at the line from the scrum win. Too late I think as she puts her backrower in a tough spot with the defence closing in. Unsurprisingly, the ball is dropped and the Eels compound the error by conceding a penalty afterwards.

Heavy contact from the Parra middles in defence. The Bears manage to hold on and complete their set with a kick that finds E. She provides a tidy kick return before Alo and Andrews ruck it out. The later draws a penalty which sees Vei scream onto the ball from the tap restart. Tufuga is up next and she is taken high. Penalty. Tap and go as Gray links up with Vei. Right to Grey and then Latapu. Something is on here as the ball gets to Alo but Andrews drops the final pass with the line in sight.

The Eels start their next set inside the Bears’ half after a good defensive set. Seckold splits the frontline and is dragged down before the goal line but it opens up options for the Eels to the right. Latapu takes it that way and weighs a really nice cutout pass to Andrews, again with the try line beckoning, but the big winger drops it.

North Sydney make an error on the first tackle of the next set. Parra scrum 10m out. The Eels play the left edge short side but the pass from Grey at the base of the broken scrum is batted down. Parra ball still. Soufan works the left edge some more with Cairns. Right from there but it is stilted and the ball hits the deck forcing Seckold to clean it up. Again the set ends with an error from Andrew – although this one was a tougher drop with the winger caught between sideline and defender.

Despite all the pressure and all the territorial disadvantage it is the Bears that strike first in the second half as they deliver a blow against the run of play. Lily-May Price-Jones shows great anticipation to snag the intercept as the Eels attack the left edge of the Bears. She has the legs to back it up too! Big effort to run the best part of the whole field and score in the left corner.

Try scored by the Bears. Conversion unsuccessful.

Bears trail 4-30

45min gone

An error from the Bears from the kickoff has the Eels primed to hit back but again impatience and errors collide as the home team rush the effort to score. Finally, after a torrent of possession in the second half but nothing to show for it – the Eels crack the Bears with Bailey Ma-Chong diving over from short range. It ends a frustrating stretch for the home team with errors piling up high. Latapu takes over the kicking duties and duly adds the extras.

Try scored by Bailey Ma-Chong. Conversion successful by Sharon Latapu.

Eels lead 36-4

54min gone

Scriven fields the kickoff. Tufuga shows her class again with her devastating carry that tears the Bears open through the ruck. She is into open space and makes a great gain before she is dragged down and then earns a penalty. Vei provides a booming charge to start the next set as she drags defenders in towards the posts. It opens up the left edge for the Eels as Soufan directs traffic that way with early ball to Cairns who doesn’t hesitate in the least to feed to her winger Nikita E. The flying flanker is far too quick for the Bears and dives over for the hatty! Ma-Chong is back on kicking duties as she lines it up from the sideline. Great strike, perfect direction but it hits the cross bar and bounces out! Talk about tough luck!

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

Eels lead 40-4

57min gone

 

Full Time

Parramatta Eels 40 defeat the North Sydney Bears 4

 

Tarsha Gale Cup Team List

1	Dallis Graham-Withell
2	La-Teesha Maisema
3	Lindsay Tui
4	Caitlin Peadon
5	Pearl Rorani
6	Raphaella Perigo
7	Aaliyah Haumono
8	Liaina Dimech
9	Rory Muller
10	Kalisi Mahe
11	Bella Sandford
12	Leila Black
13	Ryvrr-Lee Alo
14	Kanye Maru
15	Losaline Sikahele
16	Micayla Bourne
17	Charlotte Cawthorne
18	Alliyah Ghannoum

Match Updates

Eels to field the ball in the first half.

The ball finds the grass from the kickoff but the Eels don’t panic. Parra look for a wrap around play down their left with Perigo but the touch judge says there was a forward pass. Looked like a tough call but it leads to an early chance for the Bears.

The Eels hold on through the next set and roll up their sleeves in reply. Good ruck work carries them into North Sydney territory and the home team venture down their right as the enter the red zone. Early ball to Sandford allows the backrower to link up with her centre Peadon as the defence close in and Caitlin in plenty strong enough to score from the short range Bella left her. Sandford looks to convert the try she assisted from out on the right sideline. Fair strike but it misses by a couple of metres to the right.

Try scored by Caitlin Peadon. Conversion unsuccessful by Bella Sandford.

Eels lead 4-0

5min gone

Oh my lord that is some gorgeous footy. Haumono starts the movement with late offload that has the Bears in trouble from the outset but it is Raphaella Perigo that steals the show as the ball comes to the left as she unleashes a spectacular backhand flick to put Lindsay Tui over under the posts! Shades of Matt Gidley there.

Try scored by Lindsay Tui. Conversion successful by Bella Sandford.

Eels lead 10-0

8min gone

Dimech and Tui get the call to open the next set. Leila Black takes the next carry before the big shift to the right finds Peadon. She is well tackled. Sandord centres the ball as Perigo calls for the ball on the left on the last tackle. She weighs her option well and weighs her kick even better as the bomb finds her centre Tui for the early double! Tough conversion attempt for Sandford but she makes the touchies raise their flags!

Try scored by Lindsay Tui. Conversion successful by Bella Sandford.

Eels lead 16-0

11min gone

Sandford is straight back into the action as she claims the kickoff. The Eels build left with a good carry from Dimech. She skittles a defender and then gets the penalty for ruck impedence. Sandford takes the first carry from the tap restart. Haumono plays flat to Mahe before the Eels go left to Masiema on the wing. The ball comes back centrefield on the last where Haumono makes a neat grubber. It rolls in-goals and the Eels get a play at it but they knock it on. 20m restart for the vistors.

The refs spy a small knock on from Pearl Rorani in her kick return after the 7-tackle set and it puts the Bears in prime position to get on the board here. Powerplay stuff early on in their set as they look to bash it over but the Eels hold on until their are pinged for a strip. More bash and barge stuff from the Bears in the next set before they look to move the ball to their right. It is a bit clumsy and it stifles a big chance to score because they had numbers.

North Sydney send the kick to their left on the last. It is a tad misdirected as it lands in their own line but the bounce turns towards the Parra goal line and it leads to a second knock-on from Rorani. It proves to be one set too many to defend as the left centre for the Bears April Major uses Sharp Hands to get her winger McPherson over.

Try scored by the North Sydney Bears. Conversion unsuccessful.

Bears trail 4-16

19min gone

A punchy kickoff from Graham-Withell catches the Bears out and finds the deadball line on the bounce, leading to a drop out. The Eels can’t convert the chance though as they come unstuck shifting the ball to their left in the next set.

There is a definite loss of direction now for the Eels as the errors start to flow. Another kick return mistake goes form knock-on to penalty as an offside Tui tries to clean up the initial error from Maisema. The pendulum is starting to really swing towards the Bears on the back of it too as their fullback Dicker barrells over through the right edge of the Eels.

Try scored by the North Sydney Bears. Conversion unsuccessful.

Bears trail 8-16

25min gone

Finally! The Eels work through a get-right set as they refocus their efforts on punching the ball through the middle. Dimech has a big carry that takes Parra into the North Sydney redzone and it has the added effect of sucking in plenty of defenders. The Bears are stripped for numbers down their right as a result and Perigo uses to pace to get outside the few defenders down that side and score.

Try scored by Raphaella Perigo. Conversion unsuccessful by Bella Sandford.

Eels lead 20-8

29min gone

Perigo takes a bouncing kickoff before exploding onto the ball and making a really solid gain. Dimech again lays the critical platform for the Eels as the clock counts down. As with the Perigo try before the table is laid by a powerful charge from Liaina and it earns a penalty. Quick tap for the Eels as the seconds to half time close in and Perigo takes the ball to the right, sparking a shift that finds Peadon unmarked for a good team try.

Try scored by Caitlin Peadon. Conversion unsuccessful by Bella Sandord.

Eels lead 24-8

 

Half Time

Parramatta Eels 24 lead the North Sydney Bears 8

 

Second Half

 

Parra kicking off.

Really positive start from the Bears as they generate a linebreak down their left with a deft short ball to their big centre Major. She is through the front line and makes a big gain before the cover defence catches her. In lieu of using a half, the Bears run it on the last with one of their props and the Eels mark up well to bring her down and conclude the set.

The reply set from the Eels closes out with a midfield bomb from Perigo. She is taken heavily in the process and the referee looks to be ready to call a penalty. He holds off and lets the Eels play with advantage after they regain the ball from the loose bounce but when nothing eventuates he brings play back for the original call. Simple stuff from there for the home team as they use their powerful middles to overwhelm the Bears near the posts. Dimech is the try scorer at the end of it as she rolls through the tackle and falls over the line.

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

Eels lead 30-8

36min gone

A small knock on from Micayla Bourne is spied by the referee on the opening run of the kickoff set. Chance here for the Bears to get a foothold back in this game.

Credit to the left edge of the Bears and their centre April Major in particular. She has caused some havoc for the Eels throughout this game and is at the forefront of the best the Bears have to offer again as she converts a shortside play into points using footwork and strength to win her way over in the corner.

Try scored by the Bears. Conversion unsuccessful.

Bears trail 12-30

39min

Penalty for the Bears now. Maybe for a crusher/pressure on the neck? Tap and go is the result as they work out of their own quarter. Good gains down their left edge are offset by a messy final tackle sequence that sees a bounced pass become a rushed kick that sails well and truly dead. Let off for Parra.

Oh no! How? Hot potato play on the last sees the Eels create something from nothing after a Perigo kick is fielded on the bounce followed by offloads and quick passes. It ends up with Graham-Withell sweeping down the right with a full attacking wing to her right and a short edge of defenders. She digs right into the line and passes to her support, Ryvvr-Lee Alo I think, and it gets grassed! Damn.

A concern for Pearl Rorani here. The ref says she knocked on in the tackle and I guess technically he is correct but she clearly has an issue with her right arm/shoulder that sparked the drop. Trainer sees to her immediately and it looks like the Eels might sub her off with under 12min to play.

Sloppy play from both sides now with errors getting traded. It is Parramatta who steady themselves first. After securing possession from a North Sydney knock on, Liaina Dimech wins a penalty in the ruck. She bounces to her feet for the quick tap and works towards the goal line. Perigo takes control from there with crisp ball movement to her left that finds Bourne who in turn puts Maisema over in the corner. Sandford domes the ball from the corner to make it a 6pt try!

Try scored by La-teesha Maisema. Conversion successful by Bella Sandford.

Eels lead 36-12

52min gone

Big, big, biiiiiig charge from Dimech from the kickoff. The Eels are damn near halfway as a result. It sets up a huge attacking set that culminates in a penalty against the Bears for ruck interference on Graham-Withell. Tap and go. Play goes left when an Eels goes down off-the-ball – I think it is Maisema. It is still play on as Parra switch to the right where Ryvvr-Lee Alo punishes the defence for sliding off her with a wicked dummy and go to score next to the posts.

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

Eels lead 42-12

54min gone

Maisema leaves the field. Hopefully nothing serious.

Sandford provides the big charge this set. It leads to Perigo showing some silky ball skills with the seriously deft fake under ball ala Cameron Munster. She makes a half break before she is pulled down to bring up the last. It means the ball will go right from there but errant passing sees the pill hit the deck. Liaina Dimech looks to clean it up but goes down with what looks to be an ankle injury before another Eel dives on the ball and is tackled for the turnover. Dimech is slumped on the ground for a good moment before she is able to get back to her feet – I think she is okay in a huge boost for the home team.

Dimech does depart the game at the end of the next defensive set. Tried to fight through the ankle injury but eventually succumbs. Again, hoping she is okay.

Classy play now from Parra. Perigo works the wrap around, no forward pass call from the touch judge this time, as she plays towards Bourne down the left. Micayla slices through the right edge of the Bears before passing back to Perigo to get past the fullback. Really clean ball-playing. Great try.

Try scored by Raphaella Perigo. Conversion successful by Bella Sandford.

Eels lead 48-12

59min gone

Short kickoff from the Bears. It yields a result with time left for maybe two plays. They ruck it out and can’t get a third play off before the referee signals full time.

 

Full Time

Parramatta Eels 48 defeat the North Sydney Bears 12

 

Harold Matthews Cup Team List

1	Cyrus Bloomfield
2	Jeziah Tua’au
3	Alma Faatage Seve
4	Nathan Howlett
5	Lorima Saukuru
6	Dylan Pryor
7	Lincoln Fletcher
8	Natututasina Leota
9	Ezra Leota
10	Ocean Noah Vaivela
11	Samuel Polley
12	Michael Nauer
13	Maison Ong
14	Kai Wilson
15	Michael Fililava
16	Wesley Pakoti
17	Sanjae Ulu-Kini
18	Kasinga Noa

Match Updates

Changes for the Eels. Sanjae Ulu-Kini starts in the front row after Natututasina Leota drops out of the game. Kasinga Noa comes onto the open bench spot as a result.

Eels are kicking off in the first half.

A strong opening set by the Bears is met by a thunderous blow from Ocean Vaivela as he levels a rival bookend. Jeziah Tua’au competes for the attacking bomb and produces a spectacular take to get the Eels in possession.

Parramatta set up a transition to their right edge through the hands of multiple forwards but it comes undone surprisingly when it fives the five-eighth Pryor who drops the ball and puts the Bears on the attack inside Parra’s half.

Nothing eventuates thankfully after the kick chase of the Bears is pinged for been offside on the last. Helpful penalty for the Eels.

Ong takes a good rep up the guts before Bloomfield has powerful sortie down the left edge. Right now for the Eels as Pryor dummies and goes through the middle. Fletcher completes the set with a midfield bomb and it cleaned up hard in the process. Referee is on it immediately with the whistle in mouth as he awaits for the ball to come down, at which point it is a penalty to Parra. Tap to Ong on the first. Leota plays left to Vaivela who is carried at least 3m in-goals. Back to the 10m mark and right to Pryor to uses Polley on an overs line. Leora rips it left to Vaivela to centre the pill before Ezra glides out of the ruck and turns Maison Ong back inside for first points of the game!

Try scored by Maison Ong. Conversion successful by Lincoln Fletcher.

Eels lead 6-0

7min gone

Solid set after points. Eels keep it locked in through the middle before Fletcher sends a towering bomb up. It is well taken by the Bears but a great kick chase drives the back.

The next set for Parra sees Lorima Saukuru collected high on the first tackle. Fletcher finds touch inside the Bears’ half with Howlett tapping and going. Fletcher takes his second option in Fililava as the Eels build to their right. Bloomfield looks for a sharp catch and release but can’t quite get it right and the Bears dive on the loose ball. North Sydney can’t get to their kick in reply though with an error in the ruck setting the Eels up for an attacking set.

Geez that is a rough error. Parra go left from the scrum win but get it all wrong with Bloomfield sweeping behind his own player and giving up the penalty in possession. Thankfully the Bears cough it up again as Bloomfield, fittingly, tidies it up before tossing a Bear or two aside with a bullish carry. Some tough hitting from the Bears follows though and it leads to Fletcher drilling the ball downfield a tackle early as he looks to flip the field.

Geez Ezra can be sharp. On the back of a good run from Polley, Leota explodes out of dummy half as she uses acceleration and strength to split the defensive line of the Bears. He gets an offload away to Fa’ataga Seve I believe to bring up the last before Fletcher laces a terrific grubber kick to earn a line drop out.

Leota and Fletcher combine in the next set as Ezra fakes the ball under to a forward before giving his half enough space to plant the foot down and surge through the tackle attempts and score!

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

Eels lead 12-0

18min gone

Phew, bullet dodged! The Eels are caught slacking on their kick chase the second set after points as the Bears crack them open on a kick return against Parra’s right edge. It puts the Bears inside Parra’s red zone and the big movement to the opposite edge has the Eels in trouble save for the awry final pass that is sent into touch.

Parra deliver a staggering counterblow as Bloomfield corrects his earlier failure on the rapid catch and release pass as he gets it bang on to put Alma Fa’ataga Seve over untouched down the right edge. Clean, classy stuff.

Try scored by Alma Fa’ataga Seve. Conversion successful by Lincoln Fletcher.

Eels lead 18-0

25min gone

The Bears enjoy a long string of possession in the minutes before half time as penalties and errors from the Eels swing momentum back to their opposition. However, the mistakes are matched by steely defence with Parramatta turning North Sydney away set after set on their own goal line. The half time siren rings out as the Bears roll a grubber in but it is taken comfortably by Tua’au and the Eels hold their clean sheet into oranges.

 

Half Time

Parramatta Eels 18 lead the North Sydney Bears 0

 

Second Half

 

Bears kicking off.

Midrange kickoff that is fielded by Nauer. Right for the Eels as they centre the ball with Howlett. Solid metres here as the ball finds its way to Polley down the right. Fletcher sends up a bomb on the last that is caught neatly by the #14 for North Sydney who then picks up a penalty. Maybe a high shot there?

A solid set is undone by a poor last tackle kick that is swallowed up in-goals with ease by Saukuru. He races out for the 20m restart and makes a good opening run. The Eels pour on the pressure from there as Fletcher beats three or four defenders before he is pulled down inches short of the line. Leota takes a crack from short range afterwards and is rebuffed before Bloomfield shows nice poise and patience down the right edge at first receiver to hold up his pass for a timed run by Samuel Polley. He hits the backrower perfectly in stride and he storms over.

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

Eels lead 22-0

35min gone

A nice offload from Kasinga Noa nearly puts Leota into the backfield as the Bears scramble in the nick of time to tackle the electric dummy half. The Eels go to Pryor to complete the set after points and he goes for a regulation bomb. It is taken by the Bears but they have plenty of work to do with Pryor bringing the ball down inside 10m.

Howlett is crunched early in Parra’s next possession and it results in the ball squirting out. Huge chance for the Bears to crack the Eels now with a full set up their sleeve inside the attacking quarter. Leota shows a granite shoulder near the uprights as he rocks one of the big men in a great tackle. North Sydney reply with a rapid attack down their left that almost sees them cross in the corner save for a final ball forward pass.

Crisp work from the right edge of the Eels as Fa’ataga Seve ends up plundering big metres. Immediate switch of sides now as Parra blitz the ball to their left where Bloomfield kicks ahead for the rapid Saukuru. The bounce isn’t quite there and it allows the Bears to bat it dead.

The drop out is miles offline as it sails a good 10m over the sideline. Play-the-ball is the outcome. Parra take the ball to their right early in the next set to no avail before a strong hit on the ball jolts it free from Leota’s arms. The error leads to a penalty a play later as the Bears tap and go.

They get to the goal line with a tackle to spare but choose to look for a grubber kick. Jeziah Tua’au reads it well though and gets back in time to claim the ball before looking to fight his way out of the in-goals. Like Leota the set before though a defender makes direct contact with the ball and knocks it out and the Bears swarm on the loose ball to score a simple try against the run of play.

Try scored by the Bears. Conversion successful.

Bears trail 6-22

45min gone

Some running with the Bears here as they pick up a late set restart to give them a meaty extended set. They make expert use of it as well as they kick down the door of Parra’s right edge with a well-held up pass that draws in the edge defence of the Blue & Gold and opens a channel for Asa Visesio to push through and score.

Try scored by the Bears. Conversion unsuccessful.

Bears trail 10-22

45min gone

Bit of a lull in this game now. Leota ends that though as he sparks a break for Fletcher who is brought down before the line. If he can’t score it he can set it up as two plays later he lays of a brilliant flat kick to the left sideline to find Lorima Saukuru perfectly on the full for a fall-over try!

Try scored by Lorima Saukuru. Conversion successful by Lincoln Fletcher.

Eels lead 28-10

57min gone

Spectacular play! The Eels run it on the last as Fletcher sees the kick pressure coming from the Bears. He finds Pryor quickly who stretches down the right edge before linking up with Bloomfield. The athletic phenom explodes through the gap and gets the ball back to his five-eighth as Pryor pirouettes through the tackle attempt to score before the buzzer.

Try scored by Dylan Pryor. Conversion successful by Lincoln Fletcher.

 

Full Time

Parramatta Eels 34 defeat the North Sydney Bears 10

 

SG Ball Cup Team List

1	Ollie McCarthy
2	Mohamed Alameddine
3	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	Kobi Hurford
14	Tyson Sangalang
15	Movete Oto’ota
16	Elijah Shane Tapau Taylor
17	Izaiah Mafi
18	Mark Williams

Match Updates

In the final clash of this mammoth day of footy at Eric Tweedale, the Eels are fielding the ball in the first half.

Bullocking carry from Jezaiah Funa-Iuta as he steamrolls defenders. He fights to get to his feet and the ball squirrels out. Could easily go against the Bears for a messy ruck but the call is against the Parra backrower.

The home team navigate their first defensive set nceily as Devonte Vaivela scoops up the attacking grubber on the last. Simple set comes afterwards as the Eels play down their right and let Dylan Brettle punch the ball downfield off the boot. Unfortunately, lax work at marker is penalised and the Eels give up a chunk of territory as a result.

Ooh that is just bad luck. Great read and jam from Vaivela as he kills off a dangerous backline movement down Parra’s left. However the fullback for North Sydney was shovelling the ball out as Devonte arrived and it clips his hands and it is ruled a Parra knock on as a result.

This is a good goal line stand from the Eels. The Bears have thrown plenty at them but they are turned back again and again before Brettle reads the grubber kick perfectly and gets back into the field of play to put the Eels back in business.

Strong ruck work from Aladmeddien and Camilleri pave the way for a very useful clearing kick that forces the Bears to play the ball from deep in-goals. A tidy kick chase traps North Sydney well inside their own quarter. It leads to a long clearing kick that lets Oliver McCarthy fly onto the ball and put the Eels inside Bears’ territory. Just as the Eels look to gear up for a raid down their right, the ref picks up the most slightly incorrect play-the-ball from Stevenson-Hala. It is the right call though.

The pendulum swings to Parramatta now with Alameddine generating a halfbreak for the Eels with a charge through the ruck and then a flick offload to Talataina. Next tackle sees Brettle show a bit of vision as he sees the fullback in the line and kicks ahead for himself. He doesn’t score a try but he does force a line drop out.

North Sydney refuse to yield in the next set as the Eels can’t quite hit their stride. The possession is completed with an attacking kick along the ground that targets the posts but one of the North Sydney big men bats it down backwards and then dives on it.

Defensive pressure is poured onto the visitors from there as they make no inroads and are forced to kick it from close to their goal line. Dom Farrugia is on the Bears’ 40m line as he tries to claim the wobbly clearing kick but it gets the better of him and slips through his hands and improbably the Bears have escaped an ugly situation.

A turning point in the game perhaps? The bonus set brought about by the Farrugia error lets the Bears get into Parra’s half where their five-eighth Morris is able to split the Eels’ ruck defence and dive over under the posts.

Try scored by the Bears. Conversion successful.

Bears lead 6-0

15min gone

The response from the Eels is swift. A real power set unfolds as Alameddine, Funa-Iuta and Stevenson-Hala do some road-grading against the Bears. A very useful set restart is picked up by McCarthy somewhere inbetween that all and it is an opportunistic effort from Jai Camilleri that bears the fruit of all the work as he dives over from dummy-half.

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

Eels trail 4-6

20min gone

Again we see Javahn and Jezaiah rolling up their sleeves early next set. Tyson Sanglang throws himself into the fray with an energetic burst back in behind the ruck before Brettle finishes the set off by finding the carpet with his clearing kick. It is a brilliant effort after scoring the hit-back try but it is undone by a penalty for slowing down the ruck two tackles later.

That is a cracking defensive effort from Alameddine. Faced with a 2-on-1 on his goal line he uses the little space he has perfectly to buy time for his centre Leigh to arrive before pivoting to his opposite number and bundling him into touch. Very well done.

Oh my, what happened there? It was North Sydney Ball after an error in the ruck but tempers flare up and players swirl in for the customary fracas. I thought it would merely be a scrum for the initial infringement but the referee is putting a Bear on report and giving the Eels the penalty.

It leads to an attacking set for the home team that sees Talataina nearly jink his way over. He almost can reach out and get the ball down but the defence arrive to prevent the extension of the ball. McCarthy tries to burrow over from the next play and is denied but there is a push from the same player that was put on report just earlier and it leads to a penalty and second instance of going on report for the same player. Surprised it wasn’t a sinbin given the context of the last 2min.

The Eels can’t capitalise on the chance when all is said and done as Sangalang flies onto a short ball but can’t control the pill.

Out of nowhere! With the game in a state of flux before the half time split, the Eels generate the big play out of nothing. Brettle runs it on the last inside the North Sydney quarter and bullets a monster cutout pass to Devonte Vaivela who flies onto the ball. He tips it up initially but quickly brings it in before he muscles his way over in the corner and gives Parramatta the lead at oranges.

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

Eels lead 8-6

 

Half Time

Parramatta Eels 8 lead the North Sydney Bears 6

 

Second Half

 

Eels kicking off.

Perfect start at the Bears drop a cheeky little midrange option kickoff. Scrum is set 12m out from the North Sydney goal line. Parra stack their right edge as the ball is fed but it is a bluff as the ball goes to Brettle down the left. It is just he and Farrugia down that edge but he uses all the guile in his bag to deceive the defensive line with a combination of footwork and dummying until he is able to slide his way over and score a ridiculous try! Dom gets his radar back online and crushes the conversion from the sideline.

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

Eels lead 14-6

37min gone

And now the kickoff sails well over the sideline. Implosion from the Bears to start the second half.

Wham bam thank you mam! Brettle feeds the short ball to towering forward Elijah-Shane Taupau who pummels his way into the backfield. He takes a peek to his left and sees Vaivela ouring through in support and gives his centre a gift 4-pointer with the offload!

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

Eels lead 20-6

39min gone

Turn it up! The Eels have hit the accelarator here as Funa-Itua kicks down the door from the kickoff with a barnstorming run that skittles the Bears. He has his entire right edge lined up outside him but turns back left to find Brettle who then links up with McCarthy who breaks tackle enroute to getting pulled down inside 10m. A sharp switch of play to the right from there puts Corey Leigh in position to nab a try assist with the pass to his winger Mo Alameddine. Wonderful footy.

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

Eels lead 24-6

43min gone

The Eels have to settle for a professional set this time around as Brettle puts the bow on a good possession with a tidy clearing kick.

Oli McCarthy threatens to break the Bears open at the start of the Eels’ next set with a kick return that beats two defenders. Good to see Parra not getting too anxious with the ball in hand here. They are happy to work towards a conventional end to a set for the second straight possession as Talataina sends up a well-weighted midfield bomb. Good temperament from the team there.

Gee that is impressive work from the right edge now. Talataina is called upon on the last once more and he goes high as Alameddine gives pursuit. He tips the ball back as Leigh cleans it up. He has no space to work with though and is surely going to be driven into touch yet somehow gets away a brilliant grubber kick that earns a line drop out. Wild stuff.

The Bears send the restart over the line so we come to the 10m line for a play-the-ball. Parra go from left to right where a pass is tipped by the Bears. A fresh set for the home team now.

Similar shape from the scrum from when Brettle played a virtuoso hand but the ball comes right this time around as Talataina nearly scores with pure speed. He is dragged down short of the line though and it unravels from there as Sangaland loses the ball backwards before it is toed ahead by the Bears and dived on by their chaser to bring a swift end to Parra’a goal line raid.

Good intent from the goal line defence of the Eels as they hold firm through the middle. It comes to a head with a superb cutout pass from the Bears that has them in for all money…that is until the whirlwhind that is Mo Alameddine arrives on scene in a near blur to bulldoze his rival into touch in a phenomenal defensive play.

Just as the Eels look to be safe coming out of their half they spill the ball randomly and the Bears seize on the chance. They toe the ball ahead and reclaim it and are set to score for all money until McCarthy produces a heroic effort of his own to drag the free runner down. Alas, the Eels are at sea on their line from there and it is a simple matter for the Bears to spread the ball to their right and dive over.

Try scored by the Bears. Conversion unsuccessful.

Bears trail 10-24

56min gone

Lokeni provides the Eels with a break now and it leads to a simple try for a fellow bull as Javahn Stevenson-Hala is able to shunt his way over the line a few players later. Simple try but it all counts the same!

Try scored by Javahn Stevenson-Hala. Conversion successful by Dom Farrugia.

Eels lead 30-10

59min gone

Resolute goal line defence for the Eels yet again as they work through a tough passage of play that has the Bears with an extended run of possession. Their stand ends with North Sydney trying to burrow through their own ruck on the last and the referee immediately calling it out for a penalty.

Lokeni threatens his second break of the game but is dragged down from behind as the Eels then go left all the way to Farrugia. Brettle centres the ball with Hurford and from there Javahan Stevenson-Hala surges onto the ball to bash his way over for a second half double. The big man was feeling himself there with a big charge.

Try scored by Javahn Stevenson-Hala. Conversion successful by Dom Farrugia.

Eels lead 36-10

66min gone

Good reply from the Bears. They are able to pinch the ball from a short kick off and spearhead a good set from there. It culminates in a sharp play to their left that strips the Eels short a single defender and that is enough for their winger Stevens to cross and bring the ball around.

Try scored by the Bears. Conversion successful.

Bears trail 14-36

68min gone

That will do us after a marathon session at Eric Tweedale as the Eels sweep the Bears across all four Junior Rep grades!

 

Full Time

Parramatta Eels 36 defeat the North Sydney Bears 14