The James Hardie Centre of Excellence at Kellyville is the venue for a lower grades double header as the Eels host the Sharks and their feeder club, the Newtown Jets, in Round 24 of the Jersey Flegg Cup and the NSW Cup.

It’s a battle for finals berths in both grades, and we are expecting close contests today.

In the Jersey Flegg Cup, the Sharks are sitting second, and the Eels are placed fourth. Parra comes into the encounter after defeating the top of the table Storm last week.

Meanwhile in NSW Cup, the always competitive Newtown Jets sit in fourth spot on the ladder, chasing the third placed Eels. Parra got the job done against a gritty Bears side at Kellyville last Sunday, with the win finally secured via a pressure-filled penalty goal by Apa Twidle after the full time siren.

For those who keep their eyes on players of tomorrow, there’s plenty on show for the Eels who have a host of 2025 SG Ball graduates taking the field in both Flegg and NSW Cup.

The action kicks off at 1:00pm with the Jersey Flegg Cup

 

Team List – Jersey Flegg

 

1	Corey Leigh
2	Lorima Rokasuka
3	Domenico De Stradis
4	Dakota Kakoi
5	Mohamed Alameddine
6	Matthew Hunter
7	Josh Lynn
8	Beau Lucien
9	Patrick Spence
10	Ryda Talagi
20	Trace Beattie
12	Christoper Petrus
13	Max Popo
Interchange
14	Raffaele De Stradis
15	Lachlan Coinakis
16	Damascus Neemia
23	Javahn Stevenson-Hala
18	Isaac Jim

 

First Half

Sharks kick off and Eels are in yardage. They hit the left edge and Petrus slices through. He can’t quite link with supports but keeps beating defenders and is brought down millimetres short. Quick shift right to De Stradis and he breaks free of his opposite to score. Conversion unsuccessful.

Eels 4 Sharks nil after 3 minutes.

Eels complete the set after points. Sharks reply with a completion of their own and the Eels are back in yardage. Wow! Hunter with a massive 40/20! Eels pound the line. Now right and the pass deflects out to Rokosuka – and he fights his way through contact to score.

Lynn converts from the sideline

Eels 10 lead Sharks nil after 8 minutes

Eels complete their set after points and the kick goes right to the line. Sharks get a penalty and they’re finally into Parra’s half. Big hit on Leigh as he takes the kick.

Another great completion and kick from the Eels and a good defensive set means the Sharks kick from their own 40. Parra start their set 20 out. Great sweep play involving Hunter, Petrus and Leigh almost creates a break down the left wing. Last tackle kick is good again but it’s the Sharks best set of the day as their dummy half splits them to take play deep. Leigh takes the last tackle kick and Parra again complete their set after set.
The Sharks are starting to get the better of the territorial battle. Parra will need arrest this but both teams are completing well.

Petrus is smashing them in his runs and earns a set restart – the Eels now get a six again for a touched ball and Neemia rampages from right edge towards the posts. Scrappy now as the Eels make the first mistake I can recall. Sharks complete their set after set and Rokosuka makes a mistake in yardage to turn it over.

Sharks attack from inside the red zone in this set. They hit both sides of the field and hit the right. Alameddine jams and the quick pass puts the Sharks winger over. Conversion misses.

Eels 10 Sharks 4 after 28 minutes.

The Eels continue to make errors and are lucky to have the pressure relieved via a bad play the ball.

Parra break down the right and come left to Petrus who steps off his left towards the posts and is collared in a high tackle. Eels penalty..

Lynn kicks the goal.

Eels 12 lead Sharks 4 after 35 minutes

Great set after points as the Eels get six again. Back to the red zone and Petrus goes close again before offloading to Kakoi who bounce passes it to Alameddine. He hates towards the posts but the ball is knocked from his grasp.

The Sharks fullback punches into space this set and as he’s covered in the red zone kicks crossfield to the wing but it rolls into touch. Parra reply with some razzle dazzle of their own and Rokosuka goes close. Last tackle kick towards Petrus but the Sharks right centre takes the ball above his head. Into the final seconds of the half and the Sharks chance their hand from here, spreading the ball left in their quarter and kicking downfield. Leigh cleans it up on halfway and is tackled as the siren sounds.

Second Half

Sharks complete their first set and the errors continue for Parra as they lose the ball in yardage. The Sharks force a line drop out and Parra goes short. The Sharks are ruled to have touched the ball in the contest so it’s a Parra ball ten out. Eels complete their set with a deep kick to the full back. Sharks complete their set and Parra earn a penalty in yardage.

Into the Sharks red zone. Right early and Lynn links with Beattie who spins out of contact to plant the ball over the line.

Lynn converts

Eels 18 lead Sharks 4 after 50 minutes

Parra completes their set set after points and Sharks begin their set ten out.

They get to their kick and the Erls do the same but it’s a high kick to the right that Rokosuka chases and competes for. He brings the ball in with his fingertips and as he’s tackled flicks the ball to Dom De Stradis. Dom beats the first defender on the wing and cuts back off his right foot towards the posts beating the cover defenders and plunging over in contact to score.

Lynn converts

Eels 24 lead Sharks 4 after 56 minutes

Eels find touch ten out in the set after points. Good set from the Sharks and the teams now trade completed sets.

The cycle is broken as a high kick by Cronulla is fielded by Leigh and he loses possession in heavy contact 30 out.

Scrum play by the Sharks and their fullback cuts through on their right to split the Eels defence and race away for the try

Conversion is kicked

Eels 24 lead Sharks 10 after 62 minutes

Eels are penalised after the kick off and Sharks advance back to the Eels red zone. Leigh fields it and the Eels complete their set with a kick to the Sharks 30. Sharks spread the ball left and the pass goes astray. Rokosuka quickly swoops and is pounced upon by the defender. However he flicks a great ball to Dom DeStradis who races away to score in the corner.

Lynn’s kick is straight but falls well short in what is now a strong breeze.

Eels 28 lead Sharks 10 after 66 minutes

Heavy contact on De Stradis and it’s an Eels penalty. They advance to the Sharks 40. Lynn breaks the line, finds RAF devSteadis in support on his left and he quickly passes back to Lynnwho scores.
Lynn Converts

Eels 34 lead Sharks 10  after 72 minutes.

Parra back immediately on the attack after the kick off. Alameddine is off down the left wing. He centre kicks and Raf De Stradis is involved again as he picks up the bouncing ball and scores.

Lynn converts

Eels 40 lead Sharks 10 after 73 minutes

Parra make a mess fielding the kick off as Rokosuka tries to catch a ball that’s clearly going out. Sharks hit his wing in the ensuing play and score.

Conversion from out wide is a beauty.

Eels 40 lead Sharks 16 after 75 minutes

It’s almost impossible to keep up as the Sharks fumble the ball in the kick off set and Dom De Stradis swoops. He looks like he’s going to score but as the chaser gets close he passes to Lynn for the try

Lynn converts

Eels 46 lead Sharks 16 after 78 minutes.

Rokosuka nearly messes up the next kick off but just gets into the field of play. Parra complete their set and then the siren goes during the Eels next set.

Full time Eels 46 defeat Sharks 16

With that 30 point win the Eels improve their for and against by 60 over the Sharks and leap frog the Sharks on the table.

 

Team List NSW Cup

 

1	Apa Twidle
2	Jake Tago
3	Araz Nanva
4	Richie Penisini
5	Haze Dunster
6	Lorenzo Talataina
7	Ronald Volkman
8	Wiremu Greig
9	Joey Lussick
10	Toni Mataele
11	Tyrese Lokeni
12	Jordan Samrani
13	Dan Keir
Interchange
14	Meni Luke
15	Brock Parker
16	Jezaiah Funa-Iuta
17	Samuel Loizou

 

First Half

Newtown kick off running north.

Incorrect play the ball by Mataele on the last and Newtown start their first set inside Eels half. They advance the ball to the red zone and hoist a short bomb. Parra lets their centre catch it and wrap him up. Parra drive play through the ruck and Volkman unleashes a spiral bomb on the last. The fullback has no clue and can’t get near it. Parra wrap him up in goal after he cleans up the bouncing ball.

Parra field the drop out on the quarter line but throw a forward pass a couple of plays later. Now a Jets penalty.

The Jets make a mess of the play the ball on the last then Parra turns it over inside their quarter. Scrappy stuff now as the Jets throw a loose pass. Volkman scoops it up and offloads it to Dunster who breaks to about the 40. Big spread to the left now and Nanva is given some space. He accelerates and keeps pulling away from defenders. Somehow he goes 55 metres in a superb charge to the left corner.

Conversion unsuccessful

Eels 4 Jets nil after 9 minutes.

Eels complete their set then Jets get a penalty and quickly advance to the red zone. Parra defend well and Twidle brilliantly picks up the grubber and threads through defenders in an angled run to his right. He looks to pass to Dunster but a Jets player takes the intercept – no he’s dropped it. Lucky escape. Parra scrum 15 out.

Eels complete their set but once more theres a high shot penalty to the Jets in yardage.

They advance to the quarter and hoist a chip towards the right wing. Eels penalty but I can’t make sense of the signal.

Big touch finder followed by a strong surge from Samrani. Right shift and it’s scrappy stuff early in the set from Parra with a loose pass and then a knock on.

Tago fields the last tackle kick and manages to keep away from the sideline. Parra drives through the middle. Keir finds Greig in support but Woody is smashed in the tackle on halfway and the ref rules a lost ball.

Once more the Jets get attacking opportunity in Parra’s quarter and once more the last tackle kick doesn’t produce a result. A big last tackle kick from Volkman using the breeze goes past the fullback who ultimately fields it on his line. The Sharks kick on their last is fielded by Twodle on his 20. Parra draw a penalty 40 out then find touch on the Jets 40.

Quickly to the red zone and they hit the right wing to Dunster then centre the play. Lussick feigns left then goes right throwing what looks like a forward pass to Greig. The Eels prop won’t be denied as he powers into defenders and plants the pill beside the post.

Twidle converts

Eels 10 lead Jets nil after 26 minutes

Eels complete the set after points with a chip kick bomb by Volkman to the Jets 10.

Jets kick is fielded 30 out by Parra who are quickly back into the Jets half. Six again call on the last and Parra are back to the red zone. Tap on by Nanva and Tago goes desperately close. Great hands by Talataina as he firstly picks up a low pass. Now he bobs and weaves and does his thing before creating space with a pass to Keir? and the ball then goes to Funa-Iuta who surges over beside the posts. Terrific play there!

Conversion by Twidle

Eels 16 lead jets nil after 32 minutes

Parra make an error in the set after points and the Jets are on the attack in the quarter. Six again as an Eels tackler makes contact with the ball. Set restart call mid set follows. Left now and the Jets have that edge for numbers and slice through to score.

Conversion successful

Eels 16 lead Jets 6 after 36 minutes

Jets complete the set after points and the Eels reply in kind. I note a strong run on the left edge by right winger Dunster. Sharks field the last tackle kick and then complete their set with a kick that bounces awkwardly for Dunster, only for the Jets chaser to fumble.

Parra launch a big left side shift in the last play of the half and Nanva breaks downfield. He has  Tago outside him as he approaches the quarter but opts to kick ahead. The kick is too strong off the boot and rolls dead.

Half time

Eels 16 lead Jets 6

Second Half

Parra kick off running into the wind.

Three sets completed to start the half before the Jets get a penalty for a crusher on their own quarter. They use the wind for a good touch finder then work play to the quarter. A right side shift and they keep the ball alive as they come back towards the post. They cut through the defence and despite the best efforts of Twidle the try scorer stretches out to plant the ball between the posts.

Conversion successful

Eels 16 Jets 12 after 46 minutes

The Jets split the Eels in the set after points. The number 17? breaks downfield and kicks ahead past Twidle. Their winger wins the race for the ball to score in the right corner.

Sideline conversion nailed

Jets 18 lead Eels 16 after 48 minutes

Terrific set from Parra started by strong charges by Dunster and Penisini and followed up by Funa Iuta. He Eels last tackle kick earns a penalty and the Eels apply the pressure with another question asking set in the red zone that results in a drop out. Very busy set from Twidle and Talataina follows before the ball is shifted left on the last to Nanva who powers through defenders to score his second.

Conversion misses

Eels 20 lead Jets 18 after 55 minutes

Heavy collision on Funa-Iuta results in lost possession and a Jets scrum 20 out. Great defensive set by Parra completed with Dunster taking the last tackle bomb and starting a seven tackle set. Play quickly advances to the quarter and Volkman kicks ahead but it looks like the ball has beaten the chasers to the dead ball line.

Seven tackle set to the Jets. They split the Eels late in the set but Twidle brings the runner down in a great tackle. What? He’s got up and run and the ref allows it then calls six again as he’s tackled. Big left side shift and the Eels are in all sorts as the Jets score in the left corner.

Jets 24 Eels 20 after 62 minutes

Eels next possession is a quality set. They work play to the quarter and Haze Dunster chases the bomb, climbing high to tap it down to Volkman who quickly chips ahead only to be tackled when chasing. Sin bin!!!

Eels tap and go. They hit the left now back to the right. The ball clips the shoulder of Lokeni and continues backwards to Penisini who gets outside his man and scores in the corner.

Conversion falls short in the wind

Eels 24 Jets 24 after 68 minutes

Parra complete their set and force an error with their kick. They now get a full set in the red zone. Jets defend well before Parra get a left side shift wrong and cough up the ball.

Bog kick on the last by the Sharks and Twidle fields it in his quarter. What? Parra run it on halfway on the last and mess it up badly. Sharks start their set in Parra’s half. Right side incursion then they hit the posts and score. No wait – I think Volkman has somehow prevented the try and come up with possession and now Greig comes charging away from the goal line.

Last tackle kick draws an error from the Jets and it’s a full set in the red zone. They pepper the middle and the left edge. Now wide left with quick hands. Tago scores!

Conversion by Twidle!!!

Eels 30 Jets 24 after 77 minutes

Short kick off and the Jets have it 20 out. The ells scramble this set and knock down a pass. Jets scrum. They hit right then left. Six again. More great Eels scramble. A wild pass over to the winger and Dunster slips over when scrambling. Try time with 30 seconds left.

The Jets half has nailed huge kicks all day and he lines this up from the sideline after the siren.

The kick starts left and stays left as the Eels fans rejoice.

Full time

Eels 30 defeat Jets 28

phew!!!

 

 

 

 

Sixties