We have mixed opponents for the Harold Matthews and SG Ball this week in the Central Coast Roosters and North Sydney Bears respectively. The Matts are fighting to stay inside the Top 8 after clawing their way in last week with a fascinating win over the Magpies and now control their own fate – even if it means knocking over the 2nd seeded Roosters.

The Ball, on the other hand, are seeking to consolidate their position on top of the ladder and face North Sydney with a lone victory to their name. This has all the making of a trap game mind you with the dreary weather and heavy conditions often a monstrous equaliser.

The boys play at Eric Tweedale Stadium as part of a massive home stand for the Eels. The Harold Matthews kickoff at 2:30PM with the SG Ball to follow at 4:30PM.

Please note – there is a chance of a change to the scheduling of these games. If there are any changes to the time slots we will let you know as soon as possible.

Update – The schedule is per program!

Harold Matthews Team List

 

1	Riley Davis
2	Cobi McCloskey
3	Cyrus Bloomfield
4	Christopher Moala
5	Santiago Uata
6	Talen Risati
7	Caleb Leiataua
10	Kasinga Noa
9	Jireh-Trey Stewart
21	Billy Fanene
11	Michael Nauer
12	Samuel Polley
13	Hayden Bell
14	Zac Withers
15	Curtis Brown
16	Chaise Attard
17	Epapara Tahu-Apiata
18	Strantz Schaumkel
19	Jermayne Faafiu
20	Zain Alameddine

 

Match Updates

 

First  Half

 

Parra are kicking off to start the Harold Matthews.

Sensational catch from the Roosters. Ball dipped wickedly at the end and forced a sliding catch.

An error from the visitors as the ball squibs out on halfway. Looks like it was just lost in contact and play-on is the call. The Eels get to work down their left edge before a switch of play to the posts nearly sees Riley Davis knife through. He is taken strongly though and is ginger getting to his feet – looked like a bit of pressure on an ankle in that tackle. The Eels work left from there but the short ball from Leiataua to his backrower Nauer pings forwards off the wide running backrower and into a defender.

The Roosters reply with a well constructed set iced with an excellent clearing kick that puts Parra deep in their own half. Thankfully, Parramatta return serve by getting to their clearing kick where the ball is banged downfield.

Good tackle there from the halfback Leiataua as he cuts down a backrower at the hips. The Roosters end up at Parra’s goal line on the last tackle of the set but their #7 Mareko is caught thinking about his option as he drops a clean pass cold.

A tough set follows for the Eels though with little traction through the ruck. Roosters probably lucky not to get pinged for a marker jumping early at one point but the set concludes with Risati clearing the ball downfield. A tackle later the Eels jolt the ball loose and get fired up leading to some pushing and shoving before the referee calls out the captains and give them a quick debrief.

Centrefield scrum 10m into the Roosters’ half. Risati feeds the ball as Stewart sends it left to Uata. Noa steamrolls a defender with a violent charge. A backline move to the right narrowly misses the mark and Cobi McCloskey scoops up a bounced pass and stays in the field of play to bring up the last where Christoper Moala decides to have a crack from dummy half only to be held out. A penalty against offside defenders aids the visitors in escaping their defensive quarter.

Another error from the Central Coast prevents the Eels from any strenuous testing of their defence as they get the ball back 23m off their own line.

Nice work from Samuel Polley there. He is back on the edge this week and draws a penalty with great hustle to get to his feet in the ruck.

He gets the next run too before Fanene takes it centrefield. Noa spins through a couple of defenders only to lose the ball getting to his feet as the Roosters are let off the hook this time around.

Parra find themselves back in possession when the Roosters drop the ball shy of halfway. A set restart aids their momentum as Risati earns the call before Jireh-Trey Stewart is held up over the line from dummy-half. Fanene is met heavily from the restart of play and Risati scoots to the right from there and fires a cutout to Moala. The centre carries the ball strongly but is met evenly in a good contest before time is blown off for a downed Rooster. Lower leg injury it looks like as the young man is helped off the field. Hopefully nothing serious.

Tackles in hand still for the Eels so they can build to something here. They work back to the posts and use Fanene to set up the last before running to their left and finding Nauer on the crash line only for the big man to spill the pill. Parra are almost immediately back on the attack though as the Roosters drop the ball the very next play – I can barely keep up!

Good defence from the CC right edge as the cut down Bloomfield after a crisp backline shift and sharp work from their back three sees them turn a dangerous grubber into an 18m return to get out of trouble.

The Roosters can’t buy a set completion at the moment but equally the Eels can’t punish them for it. Again there is a loose grip on the ball from the visitors as they get to their feet and the referee is right on it as he signals a Parra scrum on halfway.

Risati and Polley take the opening carries as the Eels go left to Fanene for the centreing charge.

Left again as Leiataua and Nauer combine. It looks like there is a called shot from dummy-half as Stewart grubbers for Attard but the bookend times his wrong awkwardly. The Eels still salvage a drop out though and Moala claims the short restart brilliantly!

What an important take that was too as the home team are finally able to convert territory and possession into points! It comes down Moala’s right edge as well although the robust centre isn’t directly involved as a sweeping Riley Davis almost basketball passes a cutout to McCloskey and the winger does very well to find purchase and acceleration in these conditions to touch down in the corner!

 

Try scored by Cobi McCloskey. Conversion unsuccessful by Talen Risati.

Eels lead 4-0

20min gone

 

Excellent work from Curtis Brown from the kickoff with a bulldozing opening carry. Just as it seems like Attard and Nauer have provided good follow-up the referee blows his whistle for a lost ball from Michael. It was a good effort through contact as well so shame to undo with the drop.

Great counter-attacking footy from the Eels here. The Roosters drop the pill on Parra’s goal line and Davis surges into action as he swoops on the ball and links up with Bloomfield and Uata down the left. It turns into a solid 35m gain. Parramatta sense a chance early in the count and post an attacking kick to their right as chasers pour through. The bounce favours the Roosters though and while the Eels look to have forced an error with a heavy shot I believe the referee has ruled that contact before that was fractionally high – thus a hugely relieving penalty for the visitors because the Eels had scooped up that loose ball and were off to the races.

More mistakes from the Roosters as again they fail to complete a set inside Parra’s red-zone. It was their fullback Ekepati there that just dropped it cold after securing a pass. Too many options maybe.

The Eels will have to defend a final play before halftime as a scrum is set on halfway. The Roosters opt against any trick shot play though and settle for a hit-up and a jog to the dressing sheds.

 

Half Time

Parramatta Eels 4 lead the Central Coast Roosters 0

 

Second Half

 

Roosters kicking off.

Another kickoff return for Brown. Polley goes next and earns an easy penalty when the ball is obviously ripped out of his grasp after the tackle is completed.

Risati finds touch on halfway and then sends Polley into the fray on the first tackle. Brown and Attard truck it up next as Withers and then Attard for a second run round out the set. Risati goes to sky on the last but McCloskey just mistimes his tip back attempt and the Roosters come down with the ball.

Strong defence from Bloomfield and Leiataua down the left edge here as the drive the runner back. The Roosters drive the ball downfield on the last but Davis swallows it up. Moala and Uata have ruck carries before Bloomfield makes excellent metres doing the same. Caleb Leiataua laces a grubber to the left on the last and it isn’t a bad one but smooth work from Ekepati saves the day for the visitors. Good footy on both sides.

Parra ahead in the field position contest and they begin to put the squeeze on the Roosters as the clearing kicks become tougher and tougher. Again, Risati looks to McCloskey on the last with an attacking bomb and this time around Cobi comes down with the ball but he has too much work left to do from 4m out as the defence corrals him.

Finally the Roosters get out of their rut and it comes from a penalty for a high shot. It gives the visitors a full set inside the attacking half as they play from right-to-left.

Important tackle from Polley down the right edge as he prevents the ball getting wider and into more dangerous territory. Mareko has a testing run back to the posts but the Eels combine to hold him out and it looks like Davis has done a great job shielding the last tackle grubber over the dead-ball line but the referee rules it was played at by a front-line defender. I didn’t catch that live but that is the call.

Good scramble defence from the Eels keeps the Roosters on the backfoot and it is rewarded with an error late in the tackle count. It has been impressive stuff in that regard today but they need to build on their advantage when they can.

Great work from Bloomfield here as he gets the Eels out of trouble and then finds Riley Davis with an offload. Quality stuff. Moala looks to emulate those efforts but has a little bobble of the ball as he hits the turf and the officials are all over it. Another big set of defence incoming as the scrum in packed down bang on mid and centrefield.

Great check-off defence from Leiataua and Bloomfield there. AND NOW POLLEY WITH A HUGE EFFORT! The backrower slams the door shut on a dangerous carry to save the day. It isn’t over though as the Eels cough the ball up quickly into their next set. It will be another goal line stand for the Blue & Gold.

The weight of the possession and territory proves too heavy. All those great defensive efforts are undone as the Roosters finally find the smallest of chinks in the armour as their halfback Carter Mareko takes on the line and barely gets the ball down after rolling through the tackle.

There is a big scuffle after the try and both teams lose a player for 10-minutes. Looks like Nauer or Bloomfield for the Eels. Either way the Roosters have a slender lead after all of that.

 

Try scored by Carter Mareko. Conversion successful by Carter Mareko.

Roosters lead 6-4

46min gone

 

Davis takes a courageous catch at the end of the kickoff set under immense pressure. It turns out that pressure was applied by offside chasers and the call comes for the Eels. Well done nonetheless.

It was Nauer who was sin-binned for the Eels – I can spy Cyrus in the #3 still out there.

Oh that is a shame. A nice little shape from Parra doesn’t quite come off when a sharp wrap around effort from Risati doesn’t see fruition due to a dropped pass in the transition. There was a chance there too if the ball got out to him.

And speaking of great shapes – the Roosters hit the Eels with a beautifully disguised sweeper play. They hold the ball up and hit their fullback late as he slices through to score. It was easy. Too easy in fact because there were some shenanigans in the lead up! That wasn’t a legal play at all and the Eels get the penalty. A second whistle comes for a high shot and while the Eels want the quick tap it doesn’t come. Instead they opt for the shot at goal in order to bring the game back to level pegging.

That is a mighty strike from Risati as he raises the flags and brings us into a whole new ball game.

 

Penalty goal attempt successful by Talen Risati.

Eels lock the scores up at 6-all

53min gone

 

Another high tackle gives the Eels a boost out of their own quarter.

Gee that is quality work from Risati. Great vision and an equally good kick as he finds the carpet to the right of the field. He leads the chase as well and forces the drop-out.

The Roosters go short and again Moala looks to climb the ladder. He gets a check in the process but the ref says play on and while the Eels recover the ball off his tipped hands the game is pulled up for a knock-on. 50/50 call there.

Championship moments now. Which team can find that little something extra?

Riley Davis calmly defuses a midfield bomb. Uata and Leiataua attack the ruck – as does Nauer. The Roosters don’t want a bar of Risati’s towering bomb and let it bounce leading to another drop-out! Talen really coming into his own here.

The Roosters go short and look to have tipped the ball forwards but the referee doesn’t agree. The ball dribbled into touch on the back of the spoiled contest and it is a Roosters scrum. What a big call.

Strong defence is countered with aggressive offloading as both teams unload everything they have here. The Roosters are caught running the ball on the last and the Eels get the ball back 15m shy of halfway.

WHO ELSE WOULD IT BE? COMETH THE MOMENT COMETH THE MAN! Talen Risati delivers a sparkling play down the narrowest of right edge short sides as he channels the spirit of Mitchell Moses. He glides down that edge and feeds a perfect cutout pass to McCloskey. The selfless winger knows his assignment as he drifts back infield to draw the fullback and put his own #1 over for the critical score!

There is a huge delay in the game and I am not sure why. Eventually Risati is cleared to take his shot at goal.

 

Try scored by Riley Davis. Conversion unsuccessful by Talen Risati.

Eels lead 10-6

59min gone

 

There isn’t time for any more play either as the siren rings out fractionally before the Roosters can kick off again and the Eels deliver a legendary finish to keep themselves firmly in the hunt for finals footy! Another week of sensational goal line defence paving the way forwards for the Blue & Gold!

 

Full Time

Parramatta Eels 10 defeat the Central Coast Roosters 6

 

And now I will hand you over to Sixties to call the last game of the round in the SG Ball!

 

SG Ball Team List

 

1	Cameron Bamblett
2	Lorima Rokosuka
3	Andes Johansson
4	Nathan Howlett
5	Aidan Kebourian
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
15	Wesley Pakoti
17	Trace Beattie
18	Lorima Saukuru
19	Isaac Jim
16	Beau Lucien
20	Lachlan Vella

 

Match Updates

First half

Bears kick off and Parra fumble the catch. Pressure early on for the Eels but they defend well. The Bears earn a line drop out on the last.

Short drop out but the Bears keep the ball after a knock back. Parra gain defend the set well and this time the last tackle kick is ordinary and fumbled by the winger.

Eels penalty and they drove play into the red zone. Big right side shift but the Bears slide well and force Howlett into touch just before the corner post.

Bears penalty follows. They complete their set with a kick into the corner. Ordinary footy from Parra and the error comes. Not sure if the fellas are switched on yet.

Great work from Popo as a Bears offload hits the deck and he is first to the ball.

Both teams trade dropped ball now as the standard remains low. Eels penalty and play is now in the Bears quarter in front of the posts. Flat ball from Fletcher to Funa-Iuta who is steaming into a hole but the ball goes down. Missed chance there.

Bears error just outside the quarter. Parra go left from the scrum and the ball is lost in contact. This is nearly fifteen minutes of incomplete sets from both teams.

Hindmarsh has made a couple of good carries in this game. Bears hoist the last tackle bomb and the Eels nearly make a meal of it. Big break down field from the Popo. The ball comes right in front of the posts as the halves link but Talataina loses it just short of the line.

Six again for Parra in their next possession as they advance play to the red zone. But yet another dropped ball brings that undone.

The Bears work towards halfway and earn a penalty. Another penalty for a late shot 35 out. Now it’s the Bears making a fundamental error.

Charge down from the Bears on a Fletcher kick. The ball is toed ahead to the posts but somehow Talataina comes from the cloud to ground it before the Bears player.

Eels retrieve the ball from the drop out. They work it down towards halfway and Bamblett splits the Bears on the left edge. The cover gets him and he wisely takes the tackle. Left now to Saukuru and the ball goes down.

The completion rates can’t be above 50% at the moment, though the penalties do give a set completion to the stats.

Play is delayed now for an Eels injury.

Finally some shape now in the Eels attack as they work towards the left wing inside the Bears quarter. The play is centred now but the pass goes behind Jim and he knocks on.

Here we go. Bamblett starts this set with a fine catch of a wobbling Bears bomb. Isaac Jim is put through a hole and the tall prop gallops towards the fullback and takes him on. He’s held up!

Parra still in possession. Left to Funa-Iuta and the Bears do well to stop him. Back to the centre and a crash play to Petrus finally yields results as he plunges over beside the posts.

Conversion by Fletcher.

Eels 6 lead  Bears nil with 31 minutes gone.

Forward pass from the Eels is called in the kick off set. The Bears work play into the red zone and their last tackle kick is grounded by the chaser for a try. No! The ref calls a knock on as Bamblett races out for the quick tap.

This is horrible luck for the Bears as they are subjected to a tough but correct call as they were in the throes of celebrating. Bamblett links with Fletcher who passes to Talataina and the fleet footed five-eighth is off for the prize scoring in the corner as the siren sounds.

Conversion unsuccessful.

Half time Eels 10 lead Bears nil

Second half

The Bears drop the ball from the kick off and their last tackle Eels get a scrum feed close to the posts.

The Eels drive a couple of plays towards the posts. Left now and good hands from Talataina on a low pass to him as he gets it wide to Johansson who spins through contact to score.

Fletcher narrowly misses the conversion.

Eels 14 lead Bears nil after 38 minutes.

Coinakis completes the next set with a perfect kick to the corner as the Bears fullback is tackled a couple of metres out.
Kebourian field the Bears last tackle kick and gets it infield to Bamblett and spread the Eels are close to halfway. Now an error from Parra gives the Bears a scrum feed on halfway. A penalty follows on the first tackle.

The ref misses a clear knock on in contact by Hindmarsh but it matters little as the Eels shut down the last tackle kick.

Parra complete their next set and the Bears do likewise. Penalty now to Parra near halfway.

Parra drive play into the quarter and centre it with a couple of tackles towards the posts. Coinakis has a dig himself from dummy half and the Eels rake grounds it despite the attention of defenders.

Fletcher adds the extras

Eels 20 Bears nil after 48 minutes.

Eels work a solid set downfield following the kick off. A last tackle kick from Fletcher targets the corner post and Howlett wins the race to the ball.

Sideline conversion from Fletcher

Eels 26 lead Bears nil after 53 minutes

The Erls last tackle kick is caught on goal by the Bears. Their seven tackle set ends with the Eels fielding the kick ten out.

Six again to the Eels in the next set as Parra drive back to the Bears red zone. Big wide pass to Saukuru on the left wing and he has an open passage to the line.

Fletcher converts.

Eels 32 Bears nil with 15 minutes remaining.

Eels loses possession late in the set after points.

A couple of six again calls to the Bears in this set. They grubber kick towards the line and the ball appears to take multiple deflections and it looks like Hindmarsh has been awarded the try.

Conversion misses

Eels 32 lead Bears 4 with ten minutes remaining.

Bears knock on in the kick off set. Scrum to Parra on the quarter line. Quick hands across the backline and Kebourian races to the corner for the try.

Fletcher converts from the sideline

Eels 38 lead Bears 4 with seven minutes remaining.

A bit of entertaining football from the Eels in Norths quarter comes to nothing as the ball goes down. There’s an injury and the ref just took near a minute to call time off. About 40 seconds left with a Bears scrum feed to come in front of their posts.

A couple of hit ups from Norths then they go for a chip kick. Parra field it and return the favour. It’s caught by Hindmarsh as the siren sounds.

Eels 38 defeat Bears 4