TCT’s mammoth stretch of coverage at Eric Tweedale continues with the Harold Matthews and SG Ball Cups in action against the Green Machine. The Matts are coming off their most complete and dominant performance of the season as they continue to chase a berth in the Top 8 while the Ball are set for a top-of-the-table clash between the two final undefeated clubs in the competition. The stakes are pretty much as high as they get in the regular season with the winner claiming an outright lead of the ladder.

Sixties and myself will bring you the coverage for these two games with the Matts kicking off at 2:30PM and the Ball following at 4:30PM.

Harold Matthews Team List

 

1	Riley Davis
2	Cobi McCloskey
3	Cyrus Bloomfield
4	Christopher Moala
5	Daniel McBride
6	Talen Risati
7	Zain Alameddine
8	Steven Nunn
9	Hayden Bell
10	Chaise Attard
17	Jermayne Faafiu
12	Kasinga Noa
13	Samuel Polley
14	Billy Fanene
15	Curtis Brown
25	Zac Withers
20	Caleb Leiataua
21	Santiago Uata

 

Match Updates

It’s Sixties here for this one before Forty takes over for the Ball. It’s been a long break between games here at Eric Tweedale Stadium – over an hour and a half! The rain hit during the break, and the accompanying wind made it uncomfortable even high in the stand. But it’s now finished and with any luck we’ll get through the afternoon without any more.

First Half

Parra kicking off running to the south. Penalty to Canberra to start their set. They crack the Eels left edge and the support arrives on the inside for their first try with just on 90 seconds on the clock.

Conversion successful

Raiders 6 lead Eels nil after three minutes

This Canberra team looks bigger than the Eels. And the rain and wind has returned.

Raiders go for the mid field bomb on the last tackle. Parts get a touch and it’s six again for the raiders on Parra’s 40 but they lose the ball in contact.

Parra penalty.

They advance play to the quarter line but the pass goes down mid set. Scrum

Better defence from Parra this set as the Raiders run it on the last and are shut down a couple of metres out.

Completed set now Raiders in yardage. Another good defensive set and Raiders again throw up a mid field booms from just on their side of halfway. They go the tap back but Parra cleans it up. This looks like an obvious tactic.

McCloskey gets some spice down the right wing and the cover gets him on the quarter. Leg pull which should have drawn a set re-start. Back to the posts and a clever grubbed kick from Alameddine sees Polley ground it behind the posts.

Alameddine Converts

Eels 6 Raiders 6 after 13 mins

Raiders last tackle kick draws an Eels knock on ten out. Scrum play and McCloskey makes a try saver a metre out. It’s to no avail as the Raidersnext go the crash ball and they cross.

Kick unsuccessful

Raiders 10 lead Eels 6 after18 mins

Terrific outside inside play next to the ruck and Davis slices through with support. He draws the fullback but the pass goes down. Hang on it’s been ruled a Canberra hand and the Eels pick up the scraps to score via Polley for try number two.

Conversion is good.

Eels 12 lead Raiders 10 after 21 mins

Eels penalty after the kick off. Back to the posts again. The set ends on a nothing play ten out. Simple turnover. But the Raiders will have to start this set right on their line and it works well for Parra as the visitors make an error 30 out. Eels again run it on the last with an inside ball to Davis but the raiders hold on.

Raiders scrum just outside their quarter.

Last tackle comes ten out from Parra’s line and it’s a huge defensive play again from McCloskey. What a tackle!

Massive 40/20 now and Parra get a set inside the quarter in the final seconds. Left side raid and Davis pulls free of a defender and grabbers ahead but the Raiders clean up as the siren sounds.

Half time – Eels 12 lead Raiders 10

Second Half

Eels receiving. They turn over possession on the Raiders 30 late in the set. Oh McCloskey is on fire in defence. The Raiders go left early and the Eels winger drives his opposite over the sideline in a powerful tackle on his own 40 metre line.

Parra throw a forward pass on the next set.

Drop out now for Parra after the Raiders last tackle kick. Geez that looked like an obstruction from the Raiders on kick reception as the catcher ran behind his own man and was blatantly advantaged. Well that’s a massive defensive set from the Raiders who looked certain to score at least twice. Hand over.

Raiders rush up in defence and Parra can barely get off their line.

Penalty now against Parra in possession in front of their posts. It looks like an Eels player has been pushed down in trying to play the ball but the ref rules incorrect play the ball. The Raiders decline an equaliser from in front.

Left now and it’s an early grubber kick ahead by the Raiders but the kicker has chased well for the grounding out wide.

Extras added

Raiders 16 lead Eels 12 after seven mins

Eels are on a roll this set but the play is stopped as an injured Raiders player is assisted from the field. Geez I thought we missed out on getting six again for a flop in that set.

Another penalty to the Raiders in their next set as some big calls go their way this half.

Line drop forced but the Raiders make a big error on the second tackle. Parra get to their kick and the Raiders fullback drops the ball on contact to give the Eels a set in the red zone. They defend well under pressure then trap and scrap the last tackle grubber.

Another red zone set to the Eels as the Raiders fumble it. Six again given to Parra on the first. The Raiders now reach through on the ruck and Parra get a penalty. Now another penalty for offside as they drop the ball. Maybe a lucky call. Back to the sticks. Crash ball now and it looks like Kasinga NOA is over.

Try converted.
Eels 18 lead Raiders 16 with 8 mins to go

High bomb on the last on the set after points. Raiders fullback drops it ten out and Parra can’t pick up the scraps. It’s ruled a knock back which might be a fair call. Now a Raiders penalty

Time to muscle up in defence. Raiders are down quickly into the red zone and the half beats some ordinary Eels defence to score. Hang on. The ref is separating players and conferring with touch judges. He awards the try but is now cautioning Raiders players.

The kick is wide of the mark.

Raiders 20 lead Eels 18 with four minutes remaining.

Great defensive set from Parra and a poor Raiders kick sees Parra with it just on their side of halfway. An awful set from Parra follows as they completely lose their way and turn it over on Canberras 40.

Raiders earn a line drop out. Parra go short and drive the catcher into touch on the quarter. A minute to go. They drove through the centre towards half way. A left side shift now but the pass to McBride is ruled forward.

Full time Raiders 20 defeat Eels 18

I’m very biased but that was a tough game to watch. Not much went Parra’s way with some big calls and around the ruck. The Raiders are a very physical side and played well, but perhaps a draw would have been an apt result.

 

 

SG Ball Team List

 

1	Nathan Howlett
2	Dominic Farrugia
3	Andes Johansson
4	Corey Leigh
5	Lorima Rokosuka
6	Lorenzo Talataina
7	Lincoln Fletcher
8	Elijah-Shane Tapau
9	Lachlan Coinakis
10	Ryda Talagi
11	Jezaiah Funa-Iuta
12	Christopher Petrus
13	Max Popo
14	Tom Summer
15	Wesley Pakoti
16	Trace Beattie
19	Isaac Jim
17	Aidan Kebourian
20	Mark Williams

 

Match Updates

 

First Half

 

Parra are kicking off in the first half.

OH MY LORD. The Raiders get cute on the kickoff and try to shift the ball left only for  Funa-Iuta to absolutely unload on the poor recipient of the pass! A true bell-ringer there and the Eels have the ball from infront. Unfortunately they too produce an error from the scrum win as they shift right where Corey Leigh juggles the pass before spilling it onto the ground. What a frenzied start to the game though!

The Eels pick up a penalty in their next possession and look sharp as Lorenzo Talataina and Doug Howlett make a healthy incision down the left edge. The set unravels afterwards though as Fletcher turns back inside to Popo but the lock forward can’t hold onto to the pass.

Good reply from the Raiders as they marshal into Parra’s half and bomb Howlett only to undo the solid work by giving away a penalty in the kick return tackle. Fletcher finds touch 25m out from Parra’s line and the Eels get back to task. Talagi and Funa-Iuta truck it up before the Eels spin left to Petrus to go over halfway. Talagi takes a second charge to carry the Eels deep into Canberra’s half where Fletcher sends up the bomb and the Raiders are ruled to have knocked on in a contested catch – good pressure from Farrugia there.

Taking a long time to set this scrum as the Raiders dawdle but we get there. Eels are lined up to the left with Tatataina in the slot but they go right for a solid run. Popo brings it back to the posts before Talataina and Fletcher combine beautifully down the left edge as Lincoln slices through playing as the acting fullback to put the Eels on the board first!

 

Try scored by Lincoln Fletcher. Conversion unsuccessful by Lincoln Fletcher.

Eels lead 4-0

9min gone

 

Bustling carry from Ryda to start the next set. Popo rips in next as the Eels roll right with Tapau next. Popo comes back with another charge to get to halfway before Talataina uses Petrus back inside. Fletcher goes to the air on the last as the Raiders claim the ball near the line before Petrus delivers a thunderous blow in defence. Canberra retaliate with sharp ruck work that finds a seam but good cover defence from Coinakis saves the day. A penalty late in the tackle count gifts the Raiders a set inside Parra’s red zone though.

Slow start to the set for Canberra as they attack without too much direction down their left but they earn another penalty coming back centrefield for a strip I believe. Another penalty follows for pushing down in the ruck and the Eels are surely sailing close to the wind in terms of a sinbin now.

Tap and go from the Raiders but again Petrus produces a big tackle. Canberra get a bit discombobulated mid tackle count and end up losing 20m but some neat work around the ruck creates an opportunity for their prop Samuel Hyne to score next to the posts after some sharp ruck work from the dummy half.

 

Try scored by Samuel Hyne. Conversion successful by Braydan Darmody.

Raiders lead 6-4

16min gone

 

Phew. The Eels dodge a bullet there after the Raiders managed to outleap Howlett in the contest for the midfield bomb. The offload was forwards and knocked on though so no damage done.

A simple set in reply from Parra as they ruck it out and let Fletcher find touch with a hooked kick to the left.

The Raiders are starting to generate second phase play and it could lead to trouble for the Eels. Thankfully just as their fullback Johnston starts to press down our right edge, Andes Johansson responds with a big tackle that forces the ball loose.

JFI and Talagi truck it up now before Petrus gets the ball two passes wide left. It comes back to Talagi to centre the pill as Fletcher completes the set under some pressure to get the kick away. Canberra will start their next set 25m off their line.

The Raiders slightly ahead in the territorial battle currently but they produce an error trying to ball play between two big boppers late in their next set and Parra get a chance to reset.

Johansson takes tacke one and catches the defence offside from the scrum for a simple penalty. Fletcher finds touch shy of halfway as a two pass shift finds Pakoti on the first. Right to Summer and then outside inside to Pakoti for another carry. Lorenzo explodes onto the ball next tackle and combines with Fletcher for a big gain as the Eels shift right for a sharp backline movement that allows Dom Farrugia to get the ball down the in the corner neatly! Terrific set there. Fletcher strikes the upright from outwide and is waved away.

 

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

Eels lead 8-6

25min gone

 

Big Isaac Jim is on and has a nice run to start the set. Parra lose the ruder for a moment as the ball hits the deck mid set but a surging carry from Leigh puts them back on track. Talataina digs in to the left but the play is just slowed down enough to let the Raiders recover before Canberra barely reel in the bomb from Fletcher.

Now the reaction catch from Lorenzo! Raiders get lost on the last and end up trying to chip from inside their own half. Lorenzo tries not to play at the ball initially but reacts sharply once it bounces off his chest to steal big metres for Parra. The Eels go right from there where Leigh unfortunately loses the ball heading into a tackle.

The Raiders threaten down their left edge save for a great pair of tackles from Fletcher as he goes back-to-back. Howlett carefully guides the attacking kick over the dead-ball line but it got real close near the end as the chasers homed in. Parra go on to pick up a penalty in the ruck and get 10m short of halfway on tackle one before a second penalty follows. Tap and go for Lorenzo who is taken high so that is now three on the trot as the whistle is used again. Fletcher finds touch 20m out and we get to work with a big run from Funa-Iuta. Left to Summer who punches it to the posts. Left again as Lorenzo uses Petrus. Good ball and good defence. Back to Summer again before he earns a set restart but the Eels only need one more tackle anyway as Johansson puts the smooth moves on his opposite to get over in the left corner!

 

Try scored by Andes Johansson. Conversion unsuccessful by Lincoln Fletcher.

Eels lead 12-6

34min gone

 

Oooh god work from Talataina to prevent a kickoff error. He uses Jim as the forwards begin the pile in through the ruck. Summer and Funa-Iuta are right in the thick of it before Coinakis and Howlett look to catch the ruck defence napping only for them to be awake to the danger and force an error from the pass to the fullback. Canberra have enough time for half a set of play but don’t ask anything of the Eels and we head to oranges as a result.

 

Half Time

Parramatta Eels 12 lead the Canberra Raiders 6

 

Second Half

 

Eels to receive the ball.

Dom delivering a big carry from the first tackle. Funa-Iuta and Jim follow him up for good metres but no the referee has ruled an incorrect play-the-ball against Isaac. Tough call but that is breaks there.

Great read from Lorenzo that saves a near certain try. Canberra will apply pressure on the Eels though after a hotly contested grubber kick leads to a Parra knock on.

Good defence from the scrum set play. Canberra take the ball from right to left before they too fall prey to the play-the-ball crackdown to blow a golden chance to lock the scores up.

Farrugia, Jim and Summer take the first runs here with Summer getting away an offload that leads a big run for Petrus. Alas the Eels cough the pill up shortly after to give the Raiders the ball on halfway.

The Raiders have had the better of the field position in the second half and they finally capitalise on it after their big backrower crashes over. Parra had defended really well up until that point and the momentary lapse has cost them dearly.

 

Try scored by Jayze Tuigamala. Conversion successful by Braydan Darmody.

Raiders lock the scores up at 12-all.

43min gone

 

An error from the Raiders provides Parramatta with their best look at Canberra’s red zone this half. Centrefield scrum, as is the trend these days, that gets the ball to Leigh on the first. Next up is Jim who trucks it up the guts before Johansson does an excellent job scooping up an errant pass on the move. Pakoti centres the ball before Funa-Iuta runs and offloads to Leigh who gets the ball to support infield to Pakoti falling forwards. It sets up the big charge for Isaac Jim who is too large and too strong from that range as the big boy thunders over under the posts!

 

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

Eels lead 18-12

46min gone

 

Petrus skittles defenders with a good opening run before a rapid shift to the right releases Farrugia! The big winger steams down the right before going to Leigh inside who finds Fletcher who gets the ball to Howlett who rifles a long pass to Rokasuka. Credit to Canberra though their scramble was outstanding and they hold on! The crossfield kick goes back to the high flying Dom but he can’t reel it on the second attempt and it is ruled a knock-on in-goals.

Good metres for Canberra given it is a 7-tackle set but they don’t threaten too much before Howlett delivers a nice return on their midfield bomb. Rokasuka and Johansson cart it up before a good left edge play finds big metres. Coinakis starting to get active around the ruck now as the Eels run it on the last – probably unadvisedly – as JFI is jammed up and spills the ball. Turnover either way there.

Big play from the Raiders there. Just as it looked like they were getting stuffed in a big defensive effort from Parra their dummy half kicks a wicked 40/20. Could be a momentum shifter here.

Gee that is mint defence from Johansson. Straight up iso-ball there and he swats through the fend attempt from his opposite and knocks the ball loose with strong contact. Love those one-on-one wins in defence.

A really solid reply set from Parra is rewarded with a penalty as their second phase work finds offside defenders. Fletcher’s touchfinder barely beats the tip back attempt but is still good thankfully.

The Eels goes agonisingly close now as Dom Farrugia walks the tightrope through contact and looks to have got the ball down but no! The touchy has the flag up. Gee that is so close. You need the slowmo replay there. Tensions flare up as Dom gets stuck into a Raider and the referee calls the teams apart before delivering cautions both ways and awarding a penalty to Canberra.

Oh dear, unfortunate trouble for the Eels now. Johansson has jammed up and caught a falling runner. You know what is coming given the current interpretations and indeed Andes is binned. Huge test coming for the lads now. He will be back for the final ~5min of so but the Raiders will get a big crack at leveling the scores and maybe more.

The pressure is off temporarily though as swarming defence helps force an error from the visitors in a big statement from the Eels. They have to keep the foot on the pedal though and get to their kick and defend relentlessly.

Nice set now as Parra muscle up through the middle and punch some meaty hit-ups out. It sets the table for Lorenzo Talataina to shine and he practically goes supernova as he weaves, dances and fights his way through half a dozen defenders to score a crucial try down a man! What a play! What a player!

 

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

Eels lead 24-12

63min gone

 

Here comes the surge as the Eels crest the wave of momentum with a series of bullish carries through the ruck. They are inside Canberra’s half with tackles to spare before Fletcher hoists a bomb. Canberra claim it easily and pick up a penalty for a shoulder charge apparently? No clue there and the Eels look a big miffed.

Loose ball from the Raiders and Fletcher toes it ahead but can’t win the chase so it leads to a set restart but also a loss of ~30m for Canberra. Hard to figure who comes out on top there but I guess Canberra. No definitely Canberra now after they score at the end of the possession. Howlett mistimed his jump at the ball there and loses it right into the Canberra chasers who are able to split the fragmented defensive line. It keep the Raiders very much in the contest here even as the clock counts down.

 

Try scored by Luke Tuialii. Conversion successful by Braydan Darmody.

Raiders trail 18-24

68min gone

 

You take those! A benign dropped ball from the Raiders sees them turn the ball over 30m off their goal line and positions the Eels perfectly to close this game out. Need discipline there though so not to force an overly aggressive option.

Nice and simple to Taupau first. Left to Beattie next. Fletcher goes back to Taupau tackle 3. Right wide now and REDEMPTION FOR DOM! The touchy doesn’t raise the flag this time around as the big winger powers through his opposite and slams the ball down in the narrowest of corridors to slam the door shut on the Raiders!

More argey bargey follows this play just as it did earlier when he narrowly missed the try so let’s see what comes from it. I think Ryda Talagi has been binned while the Raiders are going to be missing a player as well as maybe their big lock Tuigamala gets marched? Can’t see the number though.

Fletcher drills the conversion from the sideline and time must surely be called soon.

 

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

Eels lead 30-18

67min gone

 

I have no idea about the clock situation but Rokasuka recovers the kickoff before Johansson and Tapau loads up next. The Eels truck it into Canberra’s half before a very rough forward pass call ends their set. I don’t know about that one.

Parra survive the subsequent set as Rokasuka knocks a contest bomb backwards that the Eels quickly tidy up and finally we can shut the book on Round 6 as Howlett heaves a kick over the sideline to end another impressive but cardiac challenging contest!

 

Full Time

Parramatta Eels 30 defeat the Canberra Raiders 18