Three rounds in and the Eels remain undefeated in both the Matts and Ball Competitions.

Due to the wet weather over the past few days, the matches have been transferred from Granville to Kellyville. Based on exposed form, the Eels should be favoured to continue their winning ways.

However, I’ve always been wary about the Illawarra talent pool, and they have delivered shocks to the Eels in past seasons, even in competition winning years.

The action kicks off at 3:30pm.

Harold Matthews Team List

 

1	Liam Martin
2	Leonard Salter
3	Tyler Lama
4	Lorima Seuseu
5	William Memea Epe
6	Levi Perrett
7	Caleb Leiataua
8	Deon Haynes
9	Spencer Sorensen
10	Curtis Brown
11	Jake Capovilla
12	Khan Jackson
13	Hayden Bell
Interchange
15	Tyson Puleitu
16	Thomas Jackson
17	Winston Tahi
19	Flynn Manu’a
18	Elijah Alzahim

Updates

Team looks to be as per program. The field is in great shape. The sun is threatening to come out and shine directly into my face as I call this. Not happy if that happens.

First Half

Eels kicking off. It sails over the dead ball line for the penalty on halfway. Huge contact from Parra to start the set. A tidy set from the Steelers to get to the red zone but the cross kick is out on the full.

Eels to just over the 40 for the kick and Perrett finds touch ten out. Eels muscling up in defence but give away a penalty late in the set, 35 out. Wow, the Steelers fail to find touch. Now it’s on as the Steelers go on with a tackle after an Eels and players rush in. No penalty just a Steelers scrum.

Good footy from both teams there. The Steelers shift right perfectly to the winger who hares for the corner but the covering tackle superbly drives him into touch.

The Eels now make the most of this escape. Play traverses 80 metres in five tackles. The last tackle kick from Perrett is a ripper as Salter gets ahead of his opposite to take the ball on the full and score ten in from the corner.

Conversion from Perrett misses

Eels 4 Steelers nil after 9 minutes.

Eels penalty early in the set for ruck interference. Into the red zone and the Eels have got a mid set play all wrong as the players get in each others way. Steelers scrum.

The Steelers quickly advance to the red zone. I think o missed a set restart. Parra’s defence absorbs the pressure on the line and the last tackle cross kick is again overcooked.

Parra shift left late in the set and break the line. Epe is down the sideline and threads a pass to Seuseu who is too strong for the final defender and carries him over the line 15 metres left of the posts.

Conversion hits the upright. No goal

Eels 8 lead Steelers nil after 16 minutes

Great run from Capovilla as he palms away defenders and stretches out over about 20 metres. Eels error follows soon after.

Can’t complain about the Eels work after getting the ball back from a Steelers error. Bell and Sorensen are very busy as the Eels get six again from a charge down gone wrong. Into the red zone with questions asked and Bell is ultimately caught perilously close after running it on the last.

The Eels get a penalty on their next set, then a set restart in the Steelers red zone. The visitors read Parra’s plays very well to hold them out then counterattack in their next set with a line break down the left wing. Their centre comes to Martin and kicks ahead but he blocks the kick and another Eel does well to pick up the scraps.

Strong minutes from the Steelers in defence and again in attack. Parra get a good kick away over the winger to break the momentum somewhat but an awkward shallow bomb from the Steelers is fumbled by Epe to give them a scrum on the 20. The Steelers go right from the scrum and it’s dropped by the winger and picked up by Epe who goes 20 before being hauled in. Eels advance to the red zone in a couple of tackles but then cough up the pill on the quarter line.

The Steelers throw a right side shot just before the siren and almost break away but the defence scrambles to shut it down.

Half time Eels 8 Steelers nil

Second Half

Steelers kicking off and running to the north.

Parra straight away. Big shift left with great hands to Seuseu and he links with Epe. The winger does well to not go into touch but the Steelers force him out on their forty with what looks like a blatant second effort but the touchie says all good.

It proves to be a big call as they soon have play in Parra’s red zone and work a crash play next to the posts on the last for the try.

Converted

Eels 8 Steelers 6 after 34 minutes

The visitors have a shot of adrenaline as they work an outside inside play beside the ruck to split the Eels defence. Manu’a somehow makes the tackle from behind. Parra scrambles in defence and keeps them out but then immediately turn it back over with a forward pass inside their quarter. The Steelers then return the favour with an awful pass inside their quarter a big left side shift after the scrum.

Eels complete their next set. Steelers come up with an error 30 out to give Parra a great shot at striking back. The Eels hit their left first now a big shift right. Martin has looped around to chime into the backline and he finds Salter who puts the defence off with an in and away before crashing over.

Conversion waved away

Eels 12 Steelers 6 after 43 minutes

Percentage footy in the set after points as Parra works towards the half way and Perrett kicks high and deep on the last. The Steelers do well in yardage to take play to the Eels 30 but the error ruins it all.

An uncharacteristic error from Bell mid set and the Steelers have a scrum on Parra’s 40. Nice work from Seuseu to clean up a last tackle kick and Parra drive play back towards halfway. They get a penalty and the restart will be in the red zone. Oh that’s sharp hands! The backline get the job done again as Martin and Lama combine out wide to put Salter in once more.

Martin nails the sideline conversion

Eels 18 lead Steelers 6 after 51 minutes.

Eels give away a downtown penalty on their last tackle kick. Steelers into the quarter.

The Eels are made to pay as the Steelers fullback beats half of the Eels team in a weaving run to the left corner as he sets up his outside man for the try.
Sideline conversion is nailed

Eels 18 lead Steelers 12 after 54 minutes

Terrific set after points by the Steelers and Martin takes a tough high catch ten out on their last tackle last. The Eels reply with a mistake free set and kick to the quarter.

Steelers make a half break and receive a soft set restart call. The Eels respond with ordinary defence on their right edge as the Steelers break through the centres and score in the left wing – too many missed tackles there.

Conversion misses.

Eels 18 lead Steelers 16 with two minutes remaining.

Lookout out! The Steelers have stolen it! The last kick is a chip over the defence and Martin tries to attack it. As a footy can do it breaks right leaving Martin sprawled on the ground as the chasers swoop for a try beside the posts.

Siren sounds as the conversion goes over

Steelers 22 defeat Eels 18

As I warned in the preamble, the Steelers were capable of the upset. The Eels paid for missed kicks and far too many missed tackles on their right edge.

 

SG Ball Team List

 

1	Riley Davis
2	Lorima Rokosuka
3	Lachlan Vella
4	Kordell Pritchard
5	Cyrus Bloomfield
6	Cameron Bamblett
7	Lincoln Fletcher
8	Jackson Koina
9	Jireh-Trey Stewart
10	Ryda Talagi
11	Michael Nauer
12	Christopher Petrus
13	Wesley Pakoti
Interchange
15	Samuel Polley
16	Billy Fanene
17	Viliami Fifita
18	Samuel Sorovi
21	Oliver Walker
22	Coby Raven

Updates

First Half

Steelers kick off as the late arvo sun is now blasting into the faces of spectators here.

Eels make a late in the set error and the Steelers advance to Parra’s quarter but the ball goes over the sideline.

Bamblett! He is instrumental in getting the Eels into the red zone. The five eighth then beats about 58 Steelers defenders as he bobs and weaves across their try line before planting the ball between the sticks.

Conversion successful

Eels 6 lead Steelers nil after six minutes

Well I missed the Steelers getting the ball from the kick off as I was typing the last try and conversion. But however it happened Parra pay the penalty as the last tackle kick takes an awkward bounce between the posts and the chaser regathers it to slam it down on the line.

Conversion added

Eels 6 Steelers 6 after 8 minutes

Stoppage for injury to a Steeler in the set after points.

The teams now exchange completed sets. Parra break the cycle with consecutive penalties to take them to the red zone. Play is centred with a charge from Talagi. How do you stop that! Left to Bamblett who feeds Petrus and the banquet is Steelers defenders and a try line!!!!

Fletcher converts

Eels 12 lead Steelers 6 after 15 minutes

Eels applying the pressure after the kick off and earn a line drop out with the last tackle kick. Eels get a penalty with something illegal in a Steelers tap back. Questions asked this set as the Eels probe right. And it’s a driving run from Fanene that strikes gold as he burrows over beside the ruck.

Conversion from Fletcher is good

Eels 18 lead Steelers 6 after 21 minutes

Early huge left shift to Bloomfield who stretches out and flies to the fullback. He throws a big dummy but is grabbed then hurls a loose pass. Steelers ball. They make terrific metres this set to complete their work deep in Parra’s quarter but they give away a penalty to the Eels on an early tackle.

Parra into Steelers territory but a ruck play involving Davis comes undone and the Steelers have the ball 30 out from their line. They now cough it up and compound their error with a penalty.

Parra into the Steelers quarter and Bamblett throws a short ball to Petrus who hurtles into the defence and drags them over the line but the ball comes free.

Steelers ball and now penalty. The Eels now give up a penalty in front of their sticks. Sharp hands right and the Steelers runner bumps off two front line defenders then blasts over Davis to stretch out and plant the ball over the line.

Just like the Matts, the Steelers keep coming back

Conversion successful

Eels 18 lead Steelers 12 after 32 minutes

Parra falling off tackles this set and Steelers get a set restart on halfway. Into Parra’s quarter. The Steelers half feigns to kick then throws an ordinary pass to his fullback who drops it. Pressure relieved.

Eels penalty with 30 seconds to go. They cannot complete the set as an ordinary pass is dropped as the siren sounds.

Half time Eels 18 lead Steelers 12

Second Half

Wow! Steelers nail a 40/20 to complete the first set. They then waste it with a lost ball early in the set.

It gets scrappy in the play the ball in Parra’s set. A Steelers defender gets on the way and the ref asks the Eels player to go back. Then he finds an error one tackle later. Eels again defending in their quarter.

Riley Davis cleans up a last tackle kick then loses possession in contact. Steelers penalty now as Parra compound the error. Last tackle set restart as the ref finds more fault in the Eels. The Eels defend well and Fletcher cleans up the last tackle kick. It gets very scrappy in the play the ball but there’s no call against the Steelers.

Parra complete their set with a deep kick. The Steelers almost make a balls up of their last tackle kick in reply. Petrus cleans up and audaciously offloads to Davis as he’s being tackled. Down deep into Steelers territory this set. Davis joins in and slices through into the Steelers quarter. Bamblett looms in support and the pass finds him as he strolls over between the posts.

Conversion added

Eels 24 Steelers 12 after 47 minutes

Big charge from the kick off by Talagi. It’s a mistake free set from there with a kick taken by Rokosuka but he’s quickly wrapped up.

Steelers break through the Eels ruck and Davis makes the much needed tackle. Parra are forced to defend their line and the last tackle kick rolls dead.

Back to the Steelers quarter this set and the Eels left side shift comes unstuck badly with the ball hitting the deck. The Steelers player toes it ahead and the ball bounces up perfectly for him as he outsprints the Eels chasers to score in the right corner.

Angled conversion sails over

Eels 24 Steelers 18 after 53 minutes

Great take from Bloomfield under pressure after the Steelers last tackle kick. He follows that up with kick chase pressure to force a Steelers error at the end of the set. Eels scrum ten out.

The Eels work on crash plays at the posts this set but the Steelers hold on and the error comes.

Wow! The ref finds an incorrect Steelers play the ball. Hand over 30 out from Steelers line. Bamblett goes on a bamboozling run in front of the posts beating multiple defenders but the ref rules lost ball in contact. The Steelers reply in kind 30 out again. The team that settles down first might just win this game.

Parra goes right from the scrum then centre field through Petrus. They’ve been held up over the line but I was typing as that happened so I missed the who. Now Petrus has been ruled to have lost the ball ten out next play. Again, settle down here.

The Steelers almost replay the Matts here. They kick ahead towards Davis. Vella is chasing back and leaves it for Davis but the ball breaks dreadfully for the fullback and he can’t get his hands on it. They’ve chaser swoops and scores under the posts.
Conversion is successful

Eels 24 Steelers 24 with six minutes remaining

Steelers penalty and Eels are under pressure in their quarter. Luckily for the Eels the error comes and it’s a scrum 15 out.

The ref resets the scrum twice. Great run from Talagi mid set as he swats off defenders to surge over halfway. A shallow bomb to the wing is easily fielded by the Steelers but they lose possession mid set just into Parra’s half 80 seconds to go.

The Eels get to ten out. Ball back to Fletcher for the field goal. It’s charged down and Talagi fields it and drives to the line. He’s over! No he’s ruled to have lost it.

No time for the scrum to set

Full Time Eels 24 Steelers 24

 

Sixties