It’s an abbreviated day of Eels Junior Rep action with the girls pathways teams receiving a round 3 bye.

As for the fellas, it’s yet another away trip as they take on the other half of the Wests Tigers franchise, the Balmain Tigers, at Leichhardt Oval. That makes it three away fixtures to start the season, including the first round against the Wests Magpies.

 

Both Eels teams remain undefeated across the first two rounds. The Tigers are coming off a second round bye, having recorded a first round loss in the Harold Matts and a win in the SG Ball.

Parking issues aside, Leichhardt Oval is a terrific venue for Junior Reps. It doesn’t have to cater for a big crowd, which means grandstand seating if you want it. Don’t get me started on the place as an NRL facility.

Forty and I will be splitting the call today. I’ll kick off covering the Matts before Forty brings his expertise to the Ball.

 

Harold Matthews Team List

 

1	Lorima Seuseu
2	Leonard Salter
3	Tyler Lama
4	Vaea Akau’ola
5	William Memea Epe
6	Danny Abuhamed
7	Caleb Leiataua
8	Winston Tahi
9	Spencer Sorensen
10	Curtis Brown
11	Jake Capovilla
12	Khan Jackson
13	Hayden Bell
Interchange
15	Tyson Puleitu
16	Thomas Jackson
17	Christopher Suaalii
20	Deon Haynes
19	Elijah Alzahim

Updates

An apology to William Memea Epe for last week’s team list error, where his surname was recorded as Eve. Lots of changes to the Eels starting line up. Too many to list separately.

First Half

Tigers kicking off. The Eels complete their first set with a kick to the Tigers quarter. The Tigers make great metres and hoist a bomb but the chaser knocks on a couple of metres out from the Eels line. Some dummy half darts in this next Parra set which is again completed with a high kick. Physical defence from Parra forces an error 45 out from the Tigers line. Sharp right shift is followed by a centering play then a high kick to the right wing. Salter climbs high to claim the catch (is he at centre) then offloads to Akau’ola  for the try in the corner.

Conversion misses

Eels 4 Tigers nil after 6 minutes

The Eels fail to complete the set after points (let’s not go there) and it’s a Tigers scrum on halfway. They surge into Parra’s red zone and get six again. A last tackle grubber is bumped over the dead ball line for a drop out.

Seuseu cleans up the grubber to the ingoal on the last and somehow gets into the field of play. The Tigers muscle up in defence and the clearing kick has to come from 25 out.

Tigers penalty early the next set and they are back on the attack. Fortunately for Parra the Tigers cough it up 25 out.

Terrific set from Parra in reply as they drive through the ruck to the red zone. Sorensen scoots out of dummy half and finds Bell in support. The Eels lock pulls out of the fullback’s tackle but he hits the turf then gets up and dives over just to the left of the posts.

The conversion from Abuhamed bounces off the right upright and goes over.

Eels 10 lead Tigers nil after 15 minutes.

Eels penalty after the kick off. More great play beside the ruck and the Eels are back in the red zone. Sorensen again takes a shot from dummy half and grubbers into the in goal. The spinning ball just avoids Bell’s outstretched hand and the Tigers escape.

Big defence from Parra next set and they are soon back in possession and attacking in the red zone. Big left side cut out pass thrown but it’s forward and almost intercepted.

Tigers make the Eels pay for some missed chances. They advance play to the Eels red zone and shift left. The dummy is thrown and the defence falls for it with the Tigers 5/8 streaking away for a try in the corner.

Conversion unsuccessful

Eels 10 Tigers 4 after 22 minutes

Solid set after points by the Tigers with the last tackle bomb fielded by Seuseu who gets a penalty. That is a great run on the last by Epe on the back of a Abuhamed cut out. Somehow he avoids the sideline then half of the Tigers team in a 25 metre run that ends two metres short of the line.

The Tigers get back to Parra’s red zone next set and they too run it on the last. Incomplete set from Parra with a forward pass on half way might give the Tigers the last shot of the first half. Half break off the scrum now they’re into the red zone. Left side shift and the defence is at sea as the pass goes to the winger but it doesn’t find its mark. Bullet dodged as the siren sounds!

Half time: Eels 10 lead Tigers 4

Second Half

Eels kicking off. Big tackle drive from Suaalii early in the set. Tigers complete with a deep kick. Eels reply in kind via Leiataua but they give away a penalty mid set as the Tigers try to ruck the play upfield.

Down towards the quarter and the Tigers go for a big left side shift but the pass comes off the centre’s shoulder. Eels scrum but they make an error mid set, 30 out.

Left from the scrum and they nearly get around the Eels. Seems like left side is their plan. The Eels muscle up from there and snuff out the shots that follow. Seuseu cleans up the last tackle kick. Good metres from Parra follows. Capovilla splits the defence and he’s away. He takes the fullbacks tackle ten out. Back to the posts but it’s a lost ball.

The Tigers surge down to Parra’s half next set. The ball comes free late in the set 30 out but the ref rules Parra dragged it free. Into the quarter for a near full set. Tenacious defence on the line. Here comes the left side play on the last. The winger breaks free of a tackle and passes it back infield to the centre who crashes over for their second try. This is definitely their go to today.

Conversion misses

Eels 10 lead Tigers 8 after 42 minutes

Who’d be a coach? The Tigers fail to complete the set after points then the Eels knock on after picking up the scraps. Advantage not taken. Eels scrum. What a run from Lama as he avoids virtually the entire Tigers right side defence and then links with supports in the quarter. Back to the posts and Bell fools the defence with a show and go and crashes over the line. The ball comes free but he jumps up celebrating. The ref looks confused the calls play on as Bell tackles the Togers player. 20 metre restart called.

Tigers move play downfield in the seven tackles then the Erls get a relieving penalty as they start to ruck play out of their quarter in the next set.

Down to the Tigers red zone in the penalty set. Parra goes left and have them for numbers big time. Abuhamed has the chance to cut through but he throws the cut out to Epe who reels in the pass and dives over in the corner.

Conversion is not good

Eels 14 Tigers 8 after 49 minutes

Brown surges into the defence and the Tigers flop on him. Eels penalty. Geez that’s a waste as the ball is lost almost immediately 40 out. It wouldn’t be recorded that way but to me that’s another incomplete set after points.

Tigers return the favour as they go left off the scrum and the ball goes down. Eels back in possession in the Tigers half now.

Rapid fire attack as play is driven back to the quarter. Quick left play and Abuhamed delivers the deftest of soft hand passes to Lama for the try.

Conversion unsuccessful

Eels 18 Tigers 8 after 54 minutes

That’s a very solid set after points from Parra. The Tigers have to ruck it back from ten out. They make a half break down the right wing but the chip and chase is tapped forward. Things are heating up now. An error off the scrum from Parra and a late shot from a Tigers player sees players rush in and instead of a Tigers scrum 30 out it’s an Eels penalty!

Back to the red zone and Abuhamed’s last tackle kick earns a line drop out. The restart is out on the full. Eels play the ball. Oh this is pure footy beauty now as the ball is shifted superbly through hands from the right side to the left as Lama releases Epe for a stroll to the corner.

Conversion unsuccessful

The siren sounds.

Full time Eels 22 defeated Tigers 8

 

 

SG Ball Team List

 

1	Riley Davis
2	Lorima Rokosuka
3	Nathan Howlett
4	Kordell Pritchard
5	Cyrus Bloomfield
6	Lincoln Fletcher
7	Oliver Walker
8	Jackson Koina
9	Jireh-Trey Stewart
10	Nicholas Kotarac
11	Michael Nauer
12	Stirling Faumui
13	Samuel Polley
Interchange
15	Wesley Pakoti
16	Billy Fanene
17	Viliami Fifita
18	Christopher Petrus
20	Oliver Walker
21	Coby Raven

Updates

 

Eels look to be as per program ahead of kickoff.

First Half

 

The Parramatta Eels are fielding the ball to start this game.

Nice return from Jackson Koina I think on the fair side of the field. Kotarac and Nauer work infield next with Samuel Polley carting the ball over halfway but the referee spies a little drop as Polley hits the deck. Despite the strong yardage work, the Eels fail to complete their opening set as the Tigers pack down for the scrum 5m inside their half.

Driving defence from Kordell Pritchard on tackle one next. The Tigers ruck it out into the teeth of the Eels’ defence for a restricted gain as their five-eighth Isale turns his prop Perkins underneath to bring up the last. They kick to Parramatta’s right edge but the ball is claimed comfortably. However, the Eels continue to get in their own way as the pass from dummy-half to a flying Riley Davis is ruled forwards.

First real attacking opportunity of the game goes to the Tigers.

Good shot from Michael Nauer early in the defensive set. Balmain are trying to test the right edge of the Eels early on but they are holding firm. Their fullback Kayden Kanaan sees a crack of daylight down the same side but the cover defence of Parra shut him down and his offload to support is knocked forwards into the in-goals.

10m scrum for the Eels.

Nauer’s early involvement continue with a tough run that carries the Eels out of their own quarter. The Eels go on to complete their first set of the game – a solid one all said and done – with a hoisted bomb from Bamblett that is well caught by the Tigers.

Limited gain for the Tigers in reply as Davis fields a clearing kick with ease and plunders good metres in turn but again the Eels are pulled up for a forward pass from the ruck. This time the team is incensed – they don’t like that call but it will stand regardless.

Beware the bounce pass. Just as it looks like the Tigers are stalling out in another attacking drive, a moment of indecision on their behalf has sparked points. Miscommunication out of dummy-half leads to a pass hitting the deck down their right edge but it causes hesitation in the Eels. The ball is scooped up and shipped to the right sideline where their winger Filipe Huahulu is able to run past the scrambling defence to score.

 

Try scored by the Balmain Tigers. Conversion successful.

Tigers lead 6-0

10min gone

 

It is self evident but the Eels need to tidy up these errors around the ruck.

Gee that is quality from Koina! A huge run back inside the ruck as he weaves past defenders and gets through to the fullback. It brings up the last and Bamblett wants to run it as he digs into the line and uses Faumui but the defence have marked up well.

Now a dazzling riposte from the Tigers as they break through the left edge of the Eels. Davis makes a critical 1-on-2 tackle to save a certain try in centrefield! He played that beautifully with the outside shade to the support runner before an explosive step back to the runner to make the tackle!

How critical that proves to be! The Tigers are still applying the Storm-style blowtorch as they shift play to their left but a perfect read-and-react defensive play from Lorima Rokosuka flips the field and the scoreboard! He covertly edges into position to pluck the cutout pass from the Tigers out of the air and then races the better part of 80m to turn this game on its head early on!

 

Try scored by Lorima Rokosuka. Conversion successful by Lincoln Fletcher.

Eels lock the scores up at 6-all

15min gone

 

Unfortunately, Parramatta’s completion rate continues to take a turn to the red. This time it is a dropped ball from one of the big men in Kotarac. Error occurs on Parra’s 30m line and gifts the Tigers the right of rapid reply.

A set restart mid tackle count further bolsters their advantage as they build from right to left. Sure enough the continued errors take their toll as the Tigers crash over down their left edge as their backrower runs a nice overs line and is able to plow over through the last ditch tackle attempt of Davis and score.

 

Try scored by the Balmain Tigers. Conversion successful.

Tigers lead 12-6

19min gone

 

God set from the Tigers after points there and it spirals into a potential great set when their fullback Kanaan wins a set restart on the penultimate tackle. A penalty a play later continues the spiral for the Eels. They have to tighten up here and quick.

Full set for the Tigers in the attacking quarter.

Fletcher makes an important tackle on the last try scorer, Khattar, to save back-to-back scores. However, the Tigers look certain to go in next play when their halfback Azzi feeds a short ball to the bookend Fotu but the big man drops it cold. Maybe the cover defence of the Eels gets there in time but I think that was a bombed try. Phew!

Now a penalty for Parramatta. Extremely useful given the current run of play.

They find touch 10m shy of halfway and get back to work with Fanane and Koina. Nauer adds another run down the right before Fletcher uses Koina short to the left. Fletcher and Bamblett link up to the left edge shortside next but as Cameron steps the initial defender the ball gets tapped by his outstretched hand and it is enough to loosen Bamblett’s grip on the pill.

Strong combination tackle from Fanene and Faumui there as they ‘wrassle’ the Tigers backwards. Balmain settle for a defensive clearing kick as the outside backs of Parra get to the task. Strong runs from Bloomfield and Rokosuka set up an attacking raid as Bamblett and Petrus combine down the left. It opens up the big shift to the opposite side. Koina is the fulcrum as he digs in and then links up with fellow backrower Michael Nauer and the young edge forward bulldozes his way through three defenders to score!

 

Try scored by Michael Nauer. Conversion successful by Lincoln Fletcher.

Eels lock the scores up at 12-all

27min gone

 

Bloomfield and Petrus ruck it out early from the kickoff set. Fanene with a nice run that wins a penalty! Good, stout work there. Jireh-Trey wants the quick tap but the referee quickly pulls him back and the Eels opt for the touch finder.

Fanene back to the task for the first tackle. Outside-inside ruck play from Fletcher and Koina before Fanene steams onto the ball for a big gain. Bamblett dances back to the posts and nearly finds a way over! Great run! It sets the table for his spine partner in Fletcher. Stewart feeds him from the ruck and the Tigers have heavily over-committed to Fletcher’s outside down the left edge. He instantly reads it and throws the dummy whilst hitting the accelerator to knife through and claim the lead for the Eels!

 

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

Eels lead 18-12

31min gone

 

Bold, enterprising play! Wow! Parra’s left edge explodes out of nowhere. Petrus has a strong charge and looks to offload – he might have initially lost the ball and the batted it to support in Howlett. Nathan quickly feeds Bloomfield who sorties down field and links back up with his centre who then looks around to find a flying Riley Davis for the long range score! Fletcher continues to be a sharp shooter off the tee as the makes it full value.

 

Try scored by Riley Davis. Conversion successful by Lincoln Fletcher.

Eels lead 24-12

34min gone

 

More tackle busts for Petrus as he ranges infield from left to right edge. Big set for the Eels as Naeur carts them into the attacking half before Koina and Fanene link up through the ruck. Bamblett adds another run as Jireh-Trey Stewart quickly feeds his halfback Fletcher who surges on the momentum to feed – who else – but big Christopher Petrus who explodes through the initial contact to rip a try assisting offload to – again who else – but Riley Davis! A stunning barrage of offensive play from the Eels who have roared to life in the space of 10 minutes here!

 

Try scored by Riley Davis. Conversion successful by Lincoln Fletcher.

Eels lead 30-12

 

Half Time

Parramatta Eels 30 lead the Balmain Tigers 12

 

Second Half

 

The Eels will kickoff in the second half.

Davis gets us back underway. Fletcher doubles up on the opening tackles of the set. Nice pressure from Stewart on the last but there is nearly trouble on the kick reception as Rokosuka fakes himself out over whose ball it is. Thankfully he cleans it up on the bounce.

Simple set from Parra in reply but the Tigers are able to avoid an over-zealous kick chase from Rokosuka and pinch 12m or so in turn. Frantic minute for the athletic winger.

Parramatta’s defence is on point and keep the Eels in the second half arm wrestle as Bloomfield claims the midfield bomb. Petrus brushes past defenders in another useful gain as the Eels work to their right. Fanane brings up the last as Fletcher goes to the air. Bloomfield tries to tip it back to support players but it is well caught by his opposite in Huahulu.

A break for the Tigers as they pick up a penalty for a strip. While the Eels protest the call the home team takes a quick tap and get a nice gain. Balmain build down their left edge as the Eels match numbers and some nice hustle from Fletcher out of marker helps force an errant pass that leads to a turnover.

Ruck work from Bloomfield and Howlett early on before Petrus heads into the fray. Rokosuka goes next and is tackled near halfway as Koina carts the ball into opposition territory. Fletcher and Davis nearly open the Tigers up around the ruck with the classic outside-inside. Balmain hold on but are clearly on the backfoot now as Parramatta surge to the posts. It all unfolds for a barge over attempt from Jireh-Trey Stewart who somehow gets the ball down despite the attention of multiple defenders. Soft defence but good effort from JTS there.

 

Try by Jireh-Trey Stewart. Conversion successful by Lincoln Fletcher.

Eels lead 36-12

44min gone

 

Good work from Howlett now as he fields a tricky kickoff on the bounce. Sound and simple stuff for the Eels as they work to their kick after points. Love to see that after all their early struggles in the same area this game.

Now their defence is swarming against the fatiguing Tigers’ outfit. Avoid giving away a penalty here and it will be a big defensive set. And that they do and Davis fields the clearing kick on the full and finds Bloomfield in support. Cyrus is dusty from the tackle. Holding the back of his neck. No call for a crusher as play rolls on.

Another big run from Fanene! He has been excellent off the bench today. The Eels nail another one into their opposition as they force a line drop out.

Balmain go long as it lets big Viliami Fifita wind up! He skittles a defender in a powerful charge as the Eels immediately spring down their right edge. The Tigers are holding on and force a switch of play to the opposite edge when Parramatta ultimately go to the air but again Huahulu is able to get the better angle to the ball compared to Bloomfield and puts the Tigers back in possession.

Nice looping kick return from Davis there. He nearly slices through over halfway but still sets the Eels up for a big set. Fifita has another good run, sucking in defenders, and it is the platform for a raid down the right as Fletcher, Bamblett and Davis all combine to release Rokosuka against the sliding defence. Lorima dances inside with ease and touches down before tempers momentarily flare up. Nothing in it though and we move on after a cursory chat with the captains from the referee.

 

Try scored by Lorima Rokosuka. Conversion successful by Lincoln Fletcher.

Eels lead 42-12

51min gone

 

Another big charge from Fifita. Great punch off the bench from the big fella. Petrus continues to rampage down the right edge as Fanene adds on with another good piece of ruck work. The Eels plump for the attacking kick but their chase is bamboozled as the Tigers spring something from nothing. Alas, it amounts to nothing but an error as the cover defence corral the free runner and he loses the ball hitting the deck after a 60m gain.

Kotarac nearly storms over after a neat inside ball from Bamblett but is brought down at the very last. The Eels try to jab a kick in behind but the fullback Kanaan does very well to race over and over it and win a 20m restart for his effort.

Petrus is just tearing strips out of them today as he once more carries defenders well over the ad-line. He has a second charge this set with an offload to Fifita on his right which sets up the heads up play from JTS to get Kotarac in behind the ruck and the big man crashes over for Parrmatta’s 8th try of the game.

 

Try scored by Nicholas Kotarac. Conversion successful by Lincoln Fletcher.

Eels lead 48-12

59min gone

 

Fifita continues to show good leg speed as his fellow big man and try scorer Kotarac nearly bursts through on halfway. Metres everywhere for the Eels here as they work to their right. Fletcher looks for Rokosuka with his bomb but the Tigers come down with the ball only to get pulled up on the next play for a forward pass.

Parra set the scrum down the same edge – Parra’s right – and work a simple play extremely effectively as Bamblett glides into the defensive line and rips a beautiful cutout pass to Cyrus Bloomfield as the big winger obliges with a grin to score an easy try from 30m out!

 

Try scored by Cyrus Bloomfield. Conversion successful by Lincoln Fletcher.

Eels lead 54-12

65min gone

 

A rare error from Petrus puts an incredibly minor blemish on an otherwise stunning return game for the powerful backrower. He has been a devastating force today.

It gives the Tigers a rare attacking opportunity in the second half but geez the Eels are energised. They are swarming here. Suffocating the Tigers with their line speed. Balmain barely manage to get their kick away and get some follow up luck with an error from the Eels on the clean up.

Another scrum swiftly follows as Bloomfield bats down an attacking raid down his edge. And a carbon copy from that very scrum. Hah! Clock is just getting burned up here as Balmain plot desperately for a consolation try.

To the opposite side of the field now but Kordell Pritchard forces it loose! Terrific defence from the Eels at the death.

Is this the final possession of the game? Clock says yes but it doesn’t always run in sync with the official time keeper. Indeed, the Eels get to their kick and it sees the Tigers claim the midfield bomb and get the ball back.

No razzamatazz from there though. Dummy-half runs and ruck work only as the Eels spring a counter attack from the kick return. Bloomfield dummies to Howlett and carries it all the way back over halfway before he is dragged down. A second and then third effort eventually put him over the sideline but it is pretty clearly a penalty. The whistle comes but probably too late and tempers fray as the two sides push and shove. The ball is pelted at a Tiger and a secondary whistle is blown. Eventually the two teams separate as the officials convene.

Fletcher is called up for the decision that sees Bamblett sent to the sin bin opposite of the #12 William Stone. Either Stone or the entire incident is put on report as well. The Eels get the penalty and hilariously that is also full time as the run it over the line. Bizarre scenes at the end but Parramatta are ultimately in an entirely different class to their opponents today as they secure their third straight dominant victory.

 

Full Time

Parramatta Eels 54 defeat the Balmain Tigers 12

 

Sixties & Forty20