If last night’s cracking win wasn’t enough to sate your thirst for Parramatta footy then we have a double header of rugby league at Kellyville today. The NSW Cup and Jersey Flegg play out of the new Centre of Excellence and face the Sea Eagles.

With Joash Papalii making his NRL debut on Friday night (and doing brilliantly after getting thrust into the action for 78 minutes), there was always going to be a change in the Cup list today. Apa Twidle, as anticipated, comes from the bench to start at fullback while Matt Doorey drops back to the grade and takes over from Bryce Cartwright as starting edge with Cartwright shifting to the interchange.

The action starts at 11:30AM.

NSW Cup Team List

 

16	Apa Twidle
2	Jake Tago
3	Araz Nanva
4	Richard Penisini
5	Samuel Loizou
6	Matthew Hunter
7	Ronald Volkman
8	Wiremu Greig
9	Joey Lussick
10	Toni Mataele
19	Matt Doorey
12	Will Latu
13	Charlie Guymer
Interchange
15	Brendan Hands
16	Brock Parker
11	Bryce Cartwright
17	Kayne Kalache

 

Match Updates

 

First Half

 

Manly are kicking off to start the game.

Horror start for the Eels are the ball is dropped by Will Latu on tackle two. Not the greatest pass out of dummy half from Lussick there but Latu doesn’t handle it well either. Manly try some trickery at the scrum as Walsh tosses the ball to Tuiamalo Vaega at the last moment to feed the scrum and races to the left but the Eels adjust accordingly. Parramatta hold out to the last and then read the running option as they swarm Chee-Kam and force the turnover.

Tough set for the Blue & Gold now but the claw their way out to 5m short of halfway before Volkman hoists the ball down field. Fair result when all is said and done given they started on their goal line.

The Sea Eagles look to get in behind the ruck and then swing to their left but Richard Penisni makes a cracking ball-and-all tackle. Oooh, enterprising play from the Eels unravels as Volkman finds Doorey on a great line. Doorey splits the line and looks to feed it back to his half but it gets intercepted by a cover defender and the Sea Eagles then do almost the exact same with a linebreak that is then picked up by Loizou. He then ranges in field and is clocked heavily and goes down like a sack of potatoes. Looks like it was the prop Pua’avase with the dangerous contact as he is called out and sent to the bin while Loizou departs for a head injury assessment.

Greig works it to the posts from the touch finder and the Eels explode down their right from there. Lovely lead up work from Cartwright there and as he uses the decoy run of Guymer to disguise a pass out the back to Twidle. Apa sums it up perfectly with a little dummy and pump of the accelerator as he knifes through down the right to score first!

 

Try scored by Apa Twidle. Conversion successful by Ronald Volkman.

Eels lead 6-0

9min gone

 

Guymer is covering at right centre with Loizou undergoing a HIA. Richard Penisini has kicked out to the right wing.

Good metres for the Eels in the kickoff set but they get it wrong when they venture down their right as Twidle drops a tough pass at the line.

Big chance here for Manly as they pick up a set restart in the following possession. A second set restart piles on the pressure but the attacking structures are vanilla and the Eels are all over it. Eventually the Sea Eagles try to force the issue down their left edge as Seimisi Kioa flings a desperate offload away in contact but it squids into the ankles of Tommy Talau and he knocks it on trying to recover the ball.

Rugged carry from Greig next set. It takes the Eels near halfway and he gets an offload away to Twidle who makes a few extra metres. Volkman pins the Sea Eagles on their line but a good run from Talau in the next set earns a penalty and relieves the pressure.

A second penalty now as Lussick I think is pinged for a tackle that slips up high. Penalty sufficient there but another run of possession for Manly while they are a man down. They get too trigger happy with their offloading though and it results in a dropped ball.

Nanva and Latu take early runs next set as the Eels hammer the ruck with Wiremu next play. Hunter tests the Manly defence with a good dart in behind the ruck as the Eels then shift wide right to Richard Penisini who nearly splits the line but has his offload back inside batted back by a defender as the Sea Eagles dive on the bouncing ball. Some good play there but Manly snuff out the danger.

Luck for Manly at the end of the next set as a terrible clearing kick caroms off a defender in the front line and it is signaled six again. Not sure about that but maybe the Eels played at it after the initial ricochet? Either way the Sea Eagles come down with the ball and use it to their advantage as they work right and let their centre Jordan Swann spot up against the sliding defence of Hunter and Nanva. He splits them and then storms over Apa at the last line to score.

 

Try scored by Jordan Swann. Conversion successful by Brandon Wakeham.

Manly lock it up at 6-all

20min gone

 

Parramatta navigate a good kickoff set from the Sea Eagles before Charlie Guymer leaves a defender strewn on the ground in the reply set. Time is called off for the injured Sea Eagles who eventually departs with what looks to be a shoulder injury.

Meanwhile Loizou is back out there for the Eels I believe which allows Richard Pensini to slip back to centre and Guymer to the edge. Penisini leads a great kick chase on the Volkman bomb and lights up Faulalo to complete a good set for the Eels.

Tago gets it wrong at the end of Parramatta’s next possession as he tackles a defender fractionally in the air. Right call but it gives Manly another easy ticket out of their red zone. Manly seize of the chance as they create a linebreak down their right edge. The Eels scramble and barely cover it but the Sea Eagles double down that side with another chance for the centre Swann but Hunter makes a critical tackle! Tremendous effort. Manly let their foot slip off the throat when Zaidas Muagututia has a lead foot on the attacking grubber and it rolls dead with ease.

Enterprising play! The Eels combine down their left as Hunter finds Twidle who uses Nanva. The centre offloads inside to Hunter who then bullets a pass to Tago wide left. He sorties to the goal line and offloads to Twidle who is dragged down a metre short! Latu heads back infield next tackle and is barely repelled to bring up the last and the wily play of Lussick kicks in on the last and he burrows over against the lax ruck defence!

 

Try scored by Joey Lussick. Conversion successful by Ronald Volkman.

Eels lead 12-6

30min gone

 

Lussick looks to influence game again with an early kick out of dummy half but the wind catches it and that sees it roll long and dead. Idea was good but the angle and wind had other ideas.

Manly make a complete meal of it on the last tackle but Kasey Badger looks to have ruled the Eels offside. Big conversation with Mataele there but either way the Sea Eagles repeat that error a couple of plays later so no damage done.

Nice work from Nanva and Tago down the left nets the Eels big metres but Parramatta get a crucial call their way at the end of the set as Tommy Talau intercepts Volkman on the last tackle – but he was offside!

Latu with the early run as the Eels work to their right next play. Twidle is rocked by a good shot but still slips away a nice offload and Parramattta get a fresh set of tackles when Penisini’s pass it batted down. He gets the run from the scrum and gets a set restart on the first play for whatever that is worth. Swap of sides for the Eels from there and it is all too easy! Just crisp hands from the backline as Araz Nanva feeds Jake Tago clean ball and the winger dashes into the corner for a simple try! Brilliant sideline conversion from Volkman!

 

Try scored by Jake Tago. Conversion successful by Ronald Volkman.

Eels lead 18-6

38min

 

Parker and Doorey truck it out before Doorey uses good leg speed on tackle three. Short side raid as Cartwright releases Penisini. Big metres but Richard opts not to pass to Loizou and a big break goes begging. Left now as the ball comes to Will Latu but he has the ball knocked loose as he fights for extra metres through contact.

Quality work from Volkman in defence as he defuses a dangerous run from Muagututia with an intercept. Apa Twidle does brilliantly in behind the ruck as he splits the defence! He has options to his right at the last line but the pass is errant! Oh no! It rolls into touch…what a missed chance!

Sharp work from Tago now! He identifies the threat of a little chip kick and gets in behind the line to prevent any damage. Some madness from Cartwright now as he looks to chip kick from his own half with a minute left in the half. It somehow results in a Manly knock-on and the Eels scramble to set a scrum.

Huge play from the scrum! Nanva and Tago combine again to torment the right edge of the Sea Eagles. They plunder 50m on tackle one and Nanva is pulled down short of the line. To the right with time for one last play but it doesn’t eventuate into points as Richard Penisini’s grubber kick is trapped in the front line. Crazy finish to a good half for the Blue & Gold!

 

Half Time

Parramatta Eels 18 lead the Manly Sea Eagles 6

 

Second Half

 

Eels to kick off.

Chaos from the start! Manly let the ball bounce at it takes a wicked 90 degree turn to the sideline and goes out! Free shot for the Eels. They work it around the uprights early in the set before a powerful charge from Latu carries him into the in-goals. He can’t get the ball down though so play comes back to the 10m line. Play carries wide right to Loizou who heads back infield to bring up the last where Volkman’s kick is marked uncontested by Tuiamalo Vaega but he is trapped in-goals for a drop out.

Doorey with the first charge and he picks up the first tackle set restart. Work to the left and then back right but a poor pass derails the momentum. Cartwright creates a sliver of space down the right as Penisini dummies and goes. The Eels have drawn in the defenders down that edge and seize on the opportunity as they spin left. Volkman, Guymer and Hunter all handle the ball in a sprawling spread before it lands in the hands of Apa Twidle. He sums it up perfectly as he unleashes the cutout pass to Tago to put his flanker over again!

Volkman is hitting them sweet off the tee as well with another sideline conversion to his name.

 

Try scored by Jake Tago. Conversion successful by Ronald Volkman.

Eels lead 24-6

45min gone

 

Good work from Parker and Latu early in the set before the big shift goes to Loizou for a nice gain over halfway. Guymer centres it as Doorey uses an extravagant dummy through the ruck. Volkman goes to the skies on the last as Penisini leads the chase. He bats it back but it caroms into a Manly defender. Lady Luck has a wicked sense of humour today though as it pings into a secondary defender and then flicks up perfectly for My Sammy-On-The-Spot! Indeed, Loizou gets a room service ricochet there and finds himself suddenly in a position to score from close range as he dives over and through the desperate last line of defence for a gift try!

 

Try scored by Samuel Loizou. Conversion unsuccessful by Ronald Volkman.

Eels lead 28-6

48min gone

 

Strong charge from Latu from the kickoff. Parker and Tago follow him up before Doorey wins a set restart with a dominant carry. Guymer and Doorey involved again as Matt finds Hands with an offloads. Hunter with quick hands to Latu down the left but Manly hold on – only temporarily though! Parker gets an offload away in front of the posts as the ball comes to Guymer who rips a quality cutout to Penisini who quickly turns to Loizou as the Parramatta winger takes a big dive into the corner to touch down ahead of the cover defence! Points flowing freely here for the Blue & Gold!

 

Try scored by Samuel Loizou. Conversion unsuccessful by Ronald Volkman.

Eels lead 32-6

51min gone

 

Sharp catch from Hunter now. Takes the swirling restart to the ground but does not drop it. Parker and Kalache with the lead carries as the Eels rumble into Manly territory. Cartwright tucks and rucks with a strong charge as Penisini brings up the last down the right. Volkman bombs it for Loizou who soars high and claims it but his desperate flick off the ground trickles into touch. Good set nonetheless.

Finally some traction in the second half for the Sea Eagles as they pick up a set restart late in the following set. It carries them into Parramatta’s half for rare tackles inside the opposition territory for Manly and Clayton Faulalo shimmies his way through Parramatta’s left edge. He scores and ends up covered in mud as he gets too close to the dead ball line where the ground is rather soggy.

 

Try scored by Clayton Faulalo. Conversion successful by Brandon Wakeham.

Manly trail 12-32

55min gone

 

Some aggressive use of the footy from the Sea Eagles now as they offload and shift the ball chasing points. Parramatta are on the back foot this set and Manly identify a chance to run on the last as Raymond Tuaimalo Vaeaga storms over Jake Tago and Apa Twidle to barely get the ball down in the corner. This game has suddenly turned with Parramatta struggling to contain Manly who have the running currently.

 

Try scored by Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega. Conversion unsuccessful by Brandon Wakeham.

Manly trail 16-32

59min gone

 

Cartwright with a bit shot on Talau here and the Eels look to follow that up next tackle but are penalised in the ruck. Again the Sea Eagles are handed a piggy back and the Eels must have a hold here.

Faulalo threatens down Parramatta’s right now and is barely pulled down before he can burst free. Manly switch edges but the Eels mark up but a set restart is called. Deary me. Important tackle from Penisini down the right and Loizou assists to shutdown any offload attempts. Again we switch to the right as Hunter and Nanva combine. And the swap again! Manly see-sawing from side-to-side as the Eels repel Talau by centimetres. Faulalo tries to burrow over on the last and he does get the ball down but Badger swiftly indicates he illegally used the ruck and the Eels survive.

Manly are playing without fear here. They recover the ball from a contest Volkman bomb and immediately sail it with a wide pass to Faulalo. They are chasing points so it makes sense but the ball is not hitting the deck either with all the risks they are taking. Manly roll into Parramatta territory with tackles to spare but some sloppy passes derails momentum.

Excellent one-on-one tackle from Loizou down Parramatta’s right! That brings up the last and Manly finally are made to pay for the reckless offloading as Ronald Volkman swoops in on a bold offload from Clayton Faulalo. He nabs it on the bounce just inside the field of play at has 90m of open grass ahead of him. He quickly gets into top gear and has the wheels to go the distance for a back-breaker! Volkman hands over the kicking duties to Apa as he looks to refill at the pump in the meantime.

 

Try scored by Ronald Volkman. Conversion unsuccessful by Apa Twidle.

Eels lead 36-16

68min gone

 

Squib kick from the restart from Manly as Mataele unwinds on the return. He has skittled a Manly defender and time is immediately blown off. That was brutal contact and Badger makes the quick, clean and correct call there.

Bull dozing carry for Mataele later in the set! He has carried defenders for 20m there. Hunter compeltes the set with a hoisted bomb but Manly defuse it comfortably. However, the offloads are now starting to miss the mark as they cough it up mid tackle count and all seemingly all of their momentum has evaporated into the ether.

Twidle to the left from the scrum as he bullets a pass to Tago who heads back infield. Greig runs in and offloads next play with a set restart called. Doorey to the posts before Volkman holds it up for Guymer on an overs line. He splits the defenders and crashes over but the pass was forwards and play comes back.

Well there is some audacious luck for Manly – and maybe a missed forward pass – as Zaidas Muagututia gets the ball after a bomb is allowed to bounce. He is corralled and wrapped up but somehow flings a ridiculous offload away to his left. A lot of questions about the direction of the ball but it finds Tommy Talau who is able to easily cross from that point.

 

Try scored by Tommy Talau. Conversion unsuccessful by Brandon Wakeham.

Manly trail 20-36

76min gone

 

Both teams trade sets now as the game begins to wind down. Will Latu remains busy with a number of involvements both as a runner and a kick chaser. Likewise Loizou has another attacking raid down the right. The Eels work it down their right on the last as Guymer offloads to Twidle who immediately grubbers but the Sea Eagles regain it and will run play out to finish this game. Oh wait, phantom siren? Seems so. Play is back on and we have a couple of minutes in the bank.

Manly shift right but lose ground trying to avoid the sideline. Wakeham bombs Apa on the last and he takes a good catch over his shoulder. Simple set from Parramatta as they ruck it out and Hands, having taken over from Volkman in the halves, drills it downfield.

Probably time enough for one more Manly possession. Muagututia creates a line break as he finds the lock Navale crashing through the middle but Twidle cuts him down at the last line. Manly will cross though as the halfback Walsh is able to offload to Faulalo on his left hip and the fullback crosses for the final points in this game.

 

Try scored by Clayton Faulalo. Conversion successful by Brandon Wakeham

Manly trail 26-36

 

Full Time

Parramatta Eels 36 defeat the Manly Sea Eagles 26

 

The Eels far from perfect but they bank another win and while the second half points bled with frustrate Nathan Cayless ultimately they keep themselves entrenched in the Top 4 with the win.