Plenty of action today with the Jersey Flegg taking on the Dragons in Croom while the NSW Cup play the curtain raiser against the same opposition at WIN Stadium. Join TCT from 11:00AM and then 3:10PM for all the updates from Flegg and Cup. Forty20 will bring you coverage for the Under 21s while Sixties will take over for reserve grade!

Jersey Flegg Team List

 

1	Cameron Bamblett
2	Mohamed Alameddine
3	Tuvaka Palu
4	Antioch Faitala-Mariner
5	Dom Farrugia
6	Lorenzo Talataina
7	Josh Lynn
8	Damascus Neemia
14	Patrick Spence
10	Beau Lucien
16	Christopher Petrus
20	Will Lewis
13	Jezaiah Funa-Iuta
16	Jack Hudson
15	Tom Summer
13	Ieti Samuelu
17	Ryda Talagi
18	Trace Beattie
20	Kobi Hurford
22	Isaac Jim

 

Late Mail

 

Christopher Petrus and Will Lewis helm a new-look edge pairing in the backrow with Jezaiah Funa-Iuta shifting to lock. Ieti Samuelu drops back to the bench while Dom De Stradis is out – be it injury or promotion I am not sure. Patrick Spence and Jack Hudson swap places in the dummy half rotation.

 

Match Updates

 

.First Half

 

The Eels will kick off.

Solid opening set of defence for the Blue & Gold as they keep the Dragons inside their own 40m mark. Bamblett calmly claims the clearing kick before winning the first penalty of the game as he is held down in the ruck.

Touch finder is marked 15m short of halfway as Funa-Iuta works the ball to centre field. Damascus Neemia next before Lorenzo sprints down the left and finds Palu. A second penalty for the Eels from the next tackle now as Petrus rips in from the tap restart and nearly scores. Funa-Iuta with a big charge on the second before the Eels play right to a sweeping Bamblett but he has gone without the ball! The Dragons were reeling there but the drop has let them off.

From there the two teams trade sets but it is the Red V who go on to strike first. A set restart call kick starts a push near halfway and they spin right where their centre Charlies Heidke is able to get on the outside of Palu and flick an offload to his winger Toby Rumble. Rumble then passes back inside to Peckham-Harris to beat Bamblett and put St George on the board.

 

Try scored by Tyler Peckham-Harris. Conversion successful by Kade Reed.

Dragons lead 6-0

8min gone

 

Chaos now. The Dragons early a penalty from the kick off – in general play that is, not out on the full – but fail to find touch. Parramatta are suddenly on the attack and once more they seem ready to pounce only to produce an error. The Dragons counterpunch as their left edge backrower knifes through and makes a big break. Bamblett brings down the runner but St George are knocking on the door here save from a crucial intercept from the big man Damascus Neemia! What a timely play and he goes on to win the penalty! Well done big fella.

Oh no, speaking of intercepts the Dragons pick Parramatta’s pockets in reply. For the third time today the Eels are attacking the goal line with good shape only to turn it into nothing – or worse here, points for the opposition. It is Lorenzo Talataina’s pass that is picked off as Charles Heidke gets between the five-eighth and his backrower Petrus before racing 90m to score. Good effort from Dom Farrugia on the chase from the opposite side of the field but he couldn’t reel the runner in.

As with the last two games, errors are really hampering Parramatta’s hopes today.

 

Try scored by Charles Heidke. Conversion successful by Kade Reed.

Dragons lead 12-0

14min gone

 

Fortune both ways now. St George get a very favourable play-on call as the ball pops out of the ruck. It allows them to venture down their left and nearly open up play as they go on to chip on the last. It is a messy contest for the ball but the Dragons knock it on. Parramatta however, fail to get out of danger as Farrugia has the ball stripped on in a well-executed fall off tackle. A penalty for pressure on the neck comes a few tackles later as the Dragons get the chance to pile the points on here.

Better defence from the Eels allows them to hold out to the last but Dom Farrugia is driven back in goals after a great take on an attacking bomb. Not much else he could do there as he was met strongly the moment his feet hit the ground. Parra kick short but fail to go 10m so it will be a play-the-ball on the right edge for the Dragons. They waste little time in converting the extra possession into points as they shift to their left and gets their centre Lyric Craft-Te Moananui into a narrow channel between defenders. The Eels scramble to try and hold him up over the line but he fights to free his right arm and gets the ball down. Parramatta in a huge hole here with a mounting error toll only surpassed by the scoreboard pressure.

 

Try scored by Lyric Craft-Te Moananui. Conversion successful by Kade Reed.

Dragons lead 18-0

24min gone

 

Yep it is a full on rout now. The Eels are either turning the ball over with silly errors or giving away penalties and set restarts. St George are coasting on the momentum and turn 3 tries into a 4th when Parramatta’s right edge is split in the midfield but a short ball to a backrower. He turns it back inside to his halfback Kade Reed who scores to the left of the uprights. Reed dutifully tacks on to his own try to push the lead out to a commanding 24-points.

 

Try scored by Kade Reed. Conversion successful by Kade Reed.

Dragons lead 24-0

29min gone

 

I don’t even know how to describe that sequence as our right edge just falls apart. Complete disarray between the front line and then when Bamblett is forced into action as no one accounts for the man with the ball in hand in Craft-Te Moananui. He bounces through flimsy tackling attempts before going over his second.

 

Try scored by Lyric Craft-Te Moananui. Conversion successful by Kade Reed.

Dragons lead 30-0

32min gone

 

Ah, a tale as old as the last three weeks. Once again the Eels work themselves into a position to score and as with the other 3 or so times in just this game they turn it into an error. If I am sounding a wee bit cynical then that might just be the case with the team continually getting in their own way. While Bamblett will be charged with the mistake once again this time around it was a poor pass to him from Lorenzo that skipped off the grass. It leaves another potential try out on the field.

Hard to tell if this moment is on Bamblett or more a function of a mean bounce as a clearing kick turns back to the St George chasers as Toby Rumble gets the ball offloaded to him and a saloon passage to the line. Either way it caps an embarrassing half for the Blue & Gold and easily their worst 40min of the season. Errors and lapses have been the only consistent themes in recent weeks and they have dominated the tale of the tape here with the Dragons pouncing on the gilded opportunities handed to them by the Eels.

 

Try scored by Toby Rumble. Conversion successful by Kade Reed.

Dragons lead 36-0

39min gone

 

Half Time 

St George Illawarra Dragons 36 lead the Parramatta Eels 0

 

Second Half

 

Dragons to kick off. Eels looking to ascend the footy equivalent of Everest if they are to challenge the Red V in the second half. I will labour to bring you key updates from the game but do understand if updates are somewhat sporadic given the nature of Parramatta’s first half capitulation.

Haaaaah, the Eels come out of the half full of beans and play their opening set with great tempo including a near break for Bamblett. They win a penalty for a high shot and a set restart from there only for the ball to be dropped cold in front of the posts by Spence. Just about sums it up at the moment.

As we saw in the first half, the Parramatta error rapidly spirals into points for the opposition as they march downfield as penetrate the right edge of the Eels. It takes two pretty good passes to put Jesse Williams over out wide but the Dragons tack on to their massive lead.

 

Try scored by Jesse Willaims. Conversion successful by Kade Reed.

Dragons lead 42-0

47min gone

 

Small wins with the shutout now avoided. Jack Hudson is the man to put the Eels belatedly on the board as he jumps out of dummy half with the markers in disarray. A big dummy and pirouette in the same motion open a channel to the line and he gets over.

 

Try scored by Jack Hudson. Conversion successful by Josh Lynn.

Eels trail 6-42

60min gone

 

It has been a brutal outing for the halves now as Lynn joins Talataina with a pass intercepted for a 90m try today. Pass selection has just been off across the team but typified by both halves. Bitter result to learn from but that is footy and Jesse Williams bags his second of the game from the sequence.

 

Try scored by Jesse Williams. Conversion successful by Kade Reed.

Dragons lead 48-6

65min gone

 

Raining points at Croom as Lyric Craft-Te Moananui bursts through from the midfield to score a long range try. The half century is up and the Eels are shell shocked. Reed finally misses a conversion after drilling them from everywhere today.

 

Try scored by Lyric Craft-Te Moananui . Conversion unsuccessful by Kade Reed.

Dragons lead 52-6

69min gone

 

More points for the Dragons with added drama as Bamblett collars the try scorer high as he stepped on the goal line. No malice there but rather an awkward tackle but it has left Toby Rumble rattled after getting the ball down. Hopefully he is right to play and not sure what sort of case Bamblett has to answer here. Likely to go report is my guess. Or not he is straight sent off. That seems like an extreme response but hey here we are. Eels down to 12 and now a nervous wait for Bamblett with the Flegg MRC. Also, a potential 8-point try. Reed misses the first attempt but slots the second from in front.

 

Try scored by Toby Rumble. Conversion successful (x1) by Kade Reed.

Dragons lead 58-6

77min gone

 

One more for the road as the Dragons steam roll over near the goal line. Corey Ackers the big man that goes over.

 

Try scored by Corey Ackers. Conversion successful by Kade Reed.

Dragons lead 64-6

77min gone

 

Still some play left here but it results in no change to the score.

 

Full Time

St George Illawarra Dragons 64 defeat the Parramatta Eels 6

 

NSW Cup Team List

 

1	Apa Twidle
2	Liam Scolari
3	Araz Nanva
4	Beau Newlands
5	Samuel Loizou
6	Matthew Hunter
7	Ronald Volkman
8	Wiremu Greig
9	Brendan Hands
10	Toni Mataele
11	Tyrese Lokeni
12	Dan Keir
13	Saxon Pryke
Interchange
14	Meni Luke
15	Kruz Niutili-Schmidt
16	William Latu
17	Kayne Kalache

 

Tag as I take over from Forty for this NSW Cup match.

Match Updates

 

First Half

Eels to kick off running towards the north. Early turn over from the Dragons with an error in their first set. They force a line drop out with a well placed last tackle kick. The re-start from Ilias is a shocker. Eels play the ball ten out. The Eels get a six again from a Dragons touch and they centre the play. Left shift as Hunter creates some problems in the defence, and Nanva draws the winger to put Scolari over in the corner.

Twidle converts from the sideline.

Eels 6 lead Dragons nil after five minutes.

Eels complete the set after points with a kick to the Dragons quarter. The Dragons create problems down the right and get into Parra’s red zone. Six again called and it’s big problems coming for the Eels. The Dragons explore left and they only need one more play for a simple driving run from .Pasifiki-Tonga to steam over just to the left of the sticks.

Conversion added.

Eels 6 Dragons 6 after 9 minutes

Problems for Parra’s edges on both sides of the field as the Dragons bust tackles to March down field after points and Twidle has to take the kick on his line. Parra complete their next set and from the kick the Dragons start their next set just outside their quarter.

Wow Parra dodge a bullet with Sloan released down the wing but the pass called forward. Eels scrum 30 out. The Eels make good ground this set but an error on the quarter line undoes the promising attack.

Thar last Eels error is costly as the Dragons advance play into Parra’s half. Pasifiki Tonga splits them through the middle and Parra barely hold on. Left now and Glover gets over for the try.

Extras are added.

Dragons 12 lead Eels 6 after 17 minutes.

This is looking working for the Eels as the Eels defence looks flimsy. I barely have time to type that as the Dragons bust the Eels defence down the left wing, and the ineffective attempted tackles see them streak away for the try.

Conversion is unsuccessful

Dragons 16 lead Eels 6 after 20 minutes.

Dragons get to their kick after points and Twidle does well to take the high ball. Eels penalty on the first tackle. Great set here as first Mataele splits them through the defence next to the ruck and then a cut out from Hunter to Scolari almostyields points. Penalty to Parra on the last as Hands kicks into the in goal and looks to have been interfered with by Glover. Sin bin time!

Great play by Will Latu who’s on and digs deep into the line before offloading to Nanva who only has to fall over to score.

Twidle nails it from the sideline.

Dragons 16 lead Eels 12 after 26 minutes.

The teams tap race sets and the Eels are looking dangerous. Will Latu! The Eels edge player works a great play down the left side edge to combine with Twidle and Nanva, with Twidle accepting a return pass to score just to the left of the posts. He adds the extras.

Eels 18 lead Dragons 16 after 34 minutes.

Parra complete the set after points with a big kick from Volkman taken ten out from the try line. The Dragons do the same but Twidle returns the ball to the 30. Another set completed with a kick from Volkman to the Dragons ten metre line. It’s yet another completed set from the Dragons but the Eels are again at an advantage as the Eels start their set 40 out. This time the Eels force a drop out.

Full set in the red zone but a last tackle kick from Volkman is fumbled by Newlands as he tried to ground it. The Dragons again complete their set and Parra reply with the same. A Dragons error with about ten seconds on the clock gives the Eels a late chance as they stop the clock with just two seconds remaining. They go left from the scrum 20 out as Hunter puts in a grubber but it’s easily cleaned up.

Half time – Eels 18 lead Dragons 16

 

Second Half

Dragons kick off. Eels complete their set with a deep kick and Dragons start their first set from their 30. They hoist a high to Loizou on the last but he takes it well 25 out. Great metres in this set and then a late count shift to the last as Twidle puts Nanva away. A great ball from Nanva then sends Scolari down the wing and he finds Hunter backing up for the final pass for the try,

Twidle converts.

Eels 24 lead Dragons 16 after 44 minutes.

Wow, what a try. Volkman splits the defence around the 40 metre mark and he streaks away. He draws the fullback and finds Hands backing up on the inside and he skips away from defenders over the last 15 metres to score.

Twidle steers the conversion between the posts.

Eels 30 lead Dragons 16 after 47 minutes.

The Eels get to the last tackle kick and the Dragons winger drops it ten out. Hunter earns a drop out with a grubber. Dragons go short but the Eels get possession. Parra go close on the right wing, then centre play before hitting the right edge but the pass to Latu is called forward. Dragons do well to survive though the Eels might not have pulled all of the right strings in the last two sets.

Dragons penalty after the scrum. They hit their attacking straps this set and even run the ball on the last earning an overlap in the quarter but Twidle drops the winger with a great tackle.

Ugly looking tackle on Twidle in the next set and he’s down injured. Is it lower back? He’s staying on. Volkman kick sees the Dragons start their set about five out. Dragons kick is fielded by Scolari but the ref has found a penalty to the Dragons 20 out. Now six again. Great defence by the Eels as the set end with a Newlands intercept. Now an Eels penalty 25 out from their own line.

Hunter slices through for the try but wait. The ref calls obstruction. Damn! Well that was a big call from the ref as the match turns from nearly being decided to it being game on as the Dragons advance play down to the quarter and work a left side shift for the overlap and the try.

Eels 30 lead Dragons 22 after 61 minutes.

Dragons last tackle kick as Scolari struggles to pick it up and is smashed three metres out. Eels penalty a couple of tackles later for a high shot.

Penalty to Parra on the last tackle as Mataele loses the ball 35 out from their Dragons line but it’s ruled as crowding. Hunter this time won’t be denied. The Eels first go right and stretch the defence but then go left and as Volkman links with Hunter the rising five-eighth from Queensland splits the defence to score.

Twidle converts

Eels 36 lead Dragons 22 after 66 minutes.

Thats not good as Nuitili Schmidt loses the ball on the second tackle. He as adamant it’s a strip. The ref says no.

The Dragons look dangerous on the right but a tackle by Hunter dislodges the ball. Eels crumb ten out.

Eels complete their set with a kick to the Dragons quarter line. The Dragons go to the heavens with their last tackle kick but Twidle is again as safe as houses. Volkman’s last tackle kick is deep to the corner and it’s a great chase and tackle as the tackle is made five out.

Geez a chip and chase from the Dragons almost comes up trumps as Sloane gets his foot to the ball and is winning the race to score under the posts but the ball hits the upright and rebounds to Volkman. Phew.

Hands combines with Pryke to sp,it the Dragons, then Hunter earns a drop out next play. The Eels play percentage this set as they run out all six tackles to turn it over five out.

A play the ball error near half way from the Dragons and with just over two minutes left that should be it. Eels scrum. Eels error near the quarter line gives the Dragons a reprieve. They get into Parra’s half and look to put on something down the left but the pass from Ilias goes over the wingers head and into touch. Parra finish the set with a Volkman kick to the corner as the siren sounds.

Full time Eels 36 defeat Dragons 22.

Very impressive win from a vastly depleted Eels team. Next player up mentality at its finest.