The penultimate round has arrived for the Junior Representative Season, and the Eels Female Academy teams are facing the powerhouses that are the Roosters Central Coast and Indigenous Academy sides.

Parra remains undefeated in second place in the Lisa Fiaola Cup and faces a CC Roosters team that has only dropped one game and sits in fourth place.

 

It’s an even tougher task for the third placed Eels Tarsha Gale outfit. Even though they are in fine form having strung together five consecutive victories, their Indigenous Academy opponents have swept aside all comers to accrue an insane differential of 210 points in just six outings! That’s an average winning margin of 35 points!

Finals berths are on the line today and the Eels teams can make big statements about their intentions.

The action kicks off at 10am with Forty and myself sharing the duties. Forty will take Fiaola and I’ll blog the Gale.

 

Lisa Fiaola Team List

 

1	Tegan Nicholas
2	Havana Cook
3	Georgia Wansey
4	Hine Rikiti
5	Ruby Enosi Tuipulotu
6	Rylee Cash
7	Sienno Manuo
8	Zhra Tautai
9	Armahni Cook
10	Taylah Meagher
11	Sarah Alameddine
12	Kaizen Morgan-Pritchard
13	Isabella Bell
Interchange
15	Zara Khouri
17	Hayloh Talagi
18	Ta’alili Tuivaiti
19	Sienna Manuo
20 16 21	Marlie-Jay Paranihi-Tagoai Chelsea Falls Charlie Noble

 

Late Mail

 

Sienna Manuo replaces Temieke Withers at halfback.

Charlie Noble has been drafted onto the bench in the vacancy left by Sienna Manuo

 

Match Updates

 

First Half

 

Roosters kick off.

Isabella Bell is immediately causing havoc as she bursts through the ruck for a strong gain. The Eels keep pounding it through the middle as the Roosters find more and more defenders inexorably drawn in and that sets up the gorgeous pivot to the right. The spine combines as Rylee Cash finds a sweeping Teagan Nicholas. The fullback holds it up enough to commit the edge defence to stone and then finds Hine Rikiti who then plays it to Ruby Enosi Tuipulotu who dots it down in the corner!

 

Try scored by Ruby Enosi Tuipulotu. Conversion unsuccessful by Rylee Cash.

Eels lead 4-0

3min gone

 

The Eels perform the coach killer from the kick off as they drop it cold and it quickly comes back to haunt them. Despite some staunch defence around the posts, Parra are caught a player short when the Roosters sling it to their right and emulate the Eels with a score in the right corner.

 

Try scored by the Central Coast Roosters. Conversion successful.

Roosters lead 6-4

6min gone

 

The Roosters do the opposite of the Eels now as the complete a dominant set after points. Strong work around the ruck levies them with favourable field position for a midfield bomb that the Eels are able to tidy up. A surging carry from Sarah Alameddine gets the Blue & Gold on the front foot but a miscued clearing kick results in an odd sequence of play. Enosi Tuipulotu claims the bouncing ball and fires a pass back to Hine Rikiti who beats the first defender and threaten to split the line only for the cover defence to barely cut her down.

An error from the Roosters immediately puts Parramatta in the box seat though as sharp hands from Georgia Wansey releases Havana Cook down the left sideline. Cook is brought down short of the goal line but the Eels are ready to pour on the pressure. The ball is centred from there and Isabella Bell decides to go one better as she sets the leg speed to 11 and smashes through the ruck defence of the Roosters to score under the posts!

 

Try scored by Isabella Bell. Conversion successful by Rylee Cash.

Eels lead 10-6

11min gone

 

Oh dear, these kickoffs are a real problem. For the second time today the Eels get it all wrong from the restart. They let this one bounce and it takes a mean turn for the dead ball line. Taylah Meager I think it is tries to salvage it as she chases it deep in-goals but is left no recourse but to fling it forwards or carry it dead. Line drop out the result.

The Roosters made the Eels pay for the last such error and achieve the exact same result with the exact same play from the drop out set as they spread it to their right and find their winger Silia Tuitufu once again as she has the outside leverage over Havana Cook and is able to cross in the corner.

Kickoff errors are really hurting the Eels today.

 

Try scored by the Central Coast Roosters. Conversion unsuccessful.

Roosters lock the scores up at 10-all

15min gone

 

Goodness there is a let off! The Roosters really like the match up between their right edge and our left and have more success there this set. They are able to break the line in the midfield but thankfully drop it cold on the connecting pass as they look to attack Nicholas at the last line.

Simple set for the Eels in reply. They work to their kick and hoist the bomb up. I don’t mind it given they need to find some rhythm here. However, a penalty conceded in defence once again edges the Roosters ahead in the arm wrestle. Like the Eels they settle for a sensible set that ends with a bomb that Ruby defuses inside her own quarter. It is the Roosters turn to give away a penalty – this one for slowing down the ruck.

Sienna Manuo steps past the first defender and then flicks the ball back inside to Nicholas – that was silky! The fullback can’t make a big break from there but the extra metres are very handy and the Eels are rolling. To the left we go! Smooth ball movement puts Wansey on the front foot and she pounces as she decisively attacks the corridor between centre and winger. She commits both defenders and promptly flips it out to Havana Cook who races down the sideline and scores!

 

Try scored by Havana Cook. Conversion unsuccessful by Rylee Cash.

Eels lead 14-10

21min gone

 

They managed to claim a kickoff! Thank goodness! For the first time today the Eels score points and manage to complete a set. It was an interesting mix of strong ruck work and confusion at the end but it works. The Eels are forced to run it on the last when Cash is met by a defender earlier than she anticipated. Hot potato sees the ball finding Nicholas who is wrapped up for the turnover.

Errors from both teams follow. The Roosters drop it to put the Eels on the attack but a roll-ball infringement denies Parramatta a chance to make use of the bonus possession.

Nice kick return from Havana there, unlucky not to draw a penalty as secondary and tertiary defenders hold her down. A penalty does come later this set and the Eels tap and go using Tuivaiti. Right as lovely hands from Nicholas puts Rikiti into some space. The ball is centred as Armahni Cook combines with Tuivaiti to nearly put the powerful prop over. Left again as Nicholas pops up on the other side of the field as uses a short ball to find Wansey on the overs line and into a crease and the centre storms over out wide!

 

Try scored by Georgia Wansey. Conversion unsuccessful by Rylee Cash.

Eels lead 18-10

28min gone

 

Another clean kickoff for the Eels. Hayloh Talagi and Sarah Alameddine tear a swathe through the Roosters and the latter wins a penalty as she rapidly taps and goes! Huge gains there and Ta’alili Tuivaiti joins in as the Eels are now knocking on the door. An errant pass is eventually scooped up by Nicholas who takes the carry and with one play left Manuo tries to find the back channels with a grubber kick but it is deflected and trapped in the front line as the siren rings out.

 

Half Time

Parramatta Eels 18 lead the Central Coast Roosters 10

 

Second Half

 

Eels to kickoff.

The Roosters unravel as they look to be expansive down their left edge. Parramatta’s defence had jammed and put them under a bit of pressure and their passes had to be very precise if they were to stick. They were not precise.

Nicholas and Cook combine down the left edge from the scrum win for a nice gain on the first tackle but the Eels fail to complete the set with an error from a crash ball on the goal line. There was a hint of a high tackle there but the referee is fine with it and the Roosters get ball.

Only momentarily though as they cough it up immediately. Bell tries to power over for a second to her name but it restrained as Manuo dummies and runs down the left next play. The Eels want to centre it with Alameddine but she grasses the ball and the Roosters get another reprieve.

A penalty aids the Roosters in escaping their defensive quarter and they get some luck from there with a poor pass that sprays across the deck. The Eels dive on it first with Enosi Tuipulotu but the refs says she has knocked on. Parra players protest but there are no captain’s challenges in the Junior Reps. Big chance here for the Roosters and are able to convert the chance into the points. This time around it is the left edge of the Tri-colours that seizes on the moment with a spread to their winger Sienna Kennedy-Wilkie creating the scoring opportunity.

 

Try scored by the Central Coast Roosters. Conversion unsuccessful.

Roosters trail 14-18

38min gone

 

Some momentum with the visitors now as they pick up a ruck penalty that gets them out of their half and on the attack. Thankfully the Eels are able to hold on and turn the ball over on tackles under the posts with a strong gang tackle repelling the barge over attempt.

A cracking reply set sees the punch the ball downfield with cracking runs from Noble and Wansey before the Roosters somehow come away with the ball after Manuo’s grubber kick deflects between defenders and becomes a scrap for the loose ball. The ref rules the Eels have knocked it on in the contest.

Against the run of play! It is Hine Rikiti who intercepts the ball as the Roosters start flinging it around. She hasn’t got the legs to make the house call though and is cut down on the 20m line. A huge change loom for the Eels but they get it wrong with a raid down their right edge as Manuo drops a pass that is slightly too low from dummy half.

Finally the Eels catch a penalty in their favour. Tegan Nicholas wins it from her kick return as the Eels set up for the tap and go to Meagher. She wins a second penalty and is called back into action for a second run. Bell goes next as Cash uses Alameddine underneath to follow. Cash then she a run herself and knifes through the front line! Only the fullback to beat and she tries to power through the last defender. She is falling forwards and over the line but the ball has popped out! Oh dear! Somehow the Roosters survive again.

It is all very much to play for as we enter the final 10-minutes of play. The Roosters have the ball but come unstuck trying to generate numbers down their right edge with a cold drop. The Eels scoop up the loose ball but make an error of their own and the call comes back as no advantage to the Blue & Gold.

Bell takes play into the Roosters’ half next set and on the next tackle Zara Khouri wins an easy penalty so any number of garbage plays in the ruck from the visitors. A key penalty it is too because from the next set the Eels are able to find a crucial score. Tegan Nicholas is the spark down the right edge as she finds the critical pass to Hine Rikiti while under some considerable pressure. Rikiti plays it perfectly from there as she digs into the line and releases Ruby Enosi Tuipulotu as the winger flies down the sideline and beats out the cover defence by centimetres to score! Parra have the key 2-score lead with 5-minutes left to play.

 

Try scored by Ruby Enosi Tuipulotu. Conversion unsuccessful by Rylee Cash.

Eels lead 22-14

55min

 

Good defence for the Eels through the next several sets. The Roosters have to throw everything at them given the game situation and Parramatta match them. The game ends with the Blue & Gold in possession as they keep their flawless record in tact and now set their sights on a Round 9 barn burner against the Bulldogs.

 

Full Time

Parramatta Eels 22 defeat the Central Coast Roosters 14

 

Tarsha Gale Team List

 

1	Irae Savea
2	Zyon Ligaliga
3	Jayda Cook
4	Jessamine Aloalii
5	Freedom Crichton Ropati
6	Sammy-Lee Gunn-Tauai
7	Aaliya Soufan
17	Mitszy Cairns
9	Ava Jones
10	Alana O’Loughlin
11	Billie Va’a
22	Tia Matthews
13	Khyliah Gray
Interchange
14	Bailey Ma-Chong
19	Alissia Misa
16	Leonia Vei
18	Olivia Saba
20	Sualo Lafoga

 

Late Mail

A collection of late changes now updated in the team list

 

Match Updates

 

First Half

Well a number of late, significant changes for our Eels. The team will be running from the southern end of the ground and will kick off. Very professional first set from the Roosters with their kick finding touch in Parra’s red zone. Big tough metres from Parra in reply. Soufan with the high ball to complete the set and the tackle is made ten out. Penalty to Roosters.

Gray is getting physical in defence this set. Roosters shallow bomb is taken by Va’a.

Soufan completes Parra’s set with a kick to the quarter line and the Roosters cough it up in contact. Well confusion there as Gunn Tau’ai tried to work a play to the right of the scrum and the pass went over the receivers shoulder. Scrum.

Roosters make their own mistake near Parra’s quarter and the Eels forwards drive play back into Roosters territory. Time to get expansive as the shift right but the pass comes loose on contact. Both teams guilty of loose play at the moment. The Roosters get to their kick now and the ball is allowed to bounce. You know what happens if you allow that! Yep it bounces away from Savea and lands perfectly onto the chasers chest for the try between the sticks.

Roosters 6 Eels nil after ten minutes

Incorrect play the ball by the Roosters on their last. Eels ball 40 out. Great run from both wingers in yardage. Out to the right and Gunn-Tauai nearly puts Cook away. Back to the posts and Soufan feeds off to O’Loughlin and the Eels prop surges through the ruck to plant the ball beside the posts.

Conversion successful

Eels 6 Roosters 6 after 14 minutes

Some huge metre by Eels forwards and then Jones nearly splits them wide open. Second phase through Gray who handles twice on the last and Soufan’s kick earns a drop out.

Mid distance drop out is taken just outside the quarter and the Eels immediately on their last attack. Runners in motion as Gunn Tauai hits the outside line runner in Va’a and the defence is bamboozled as Va’a sprints untouched to the line.

Conversion unsuccessful

Eels 10 Roosters 4 after 19 minutes

Wide left just after the kick off and Aloalii splits them. Down to the Roosters quarter before she can be stopped. Back to the posts. Now right on the last as Gunn-Tauai again links with Va’a and the edge forward goes oh so close to be brought down a metre out.

Superb take by Savea as she gets Parra back on the front foot after the Roosters last tackle kick. Soufan throws up the short bomb from inside the red zone and the Roosters make a meal of it. Eels scrum ten out. Parra explore both sides of the ruck before O’Loughlin powers to a metre out. Jones notes the Roosters disarray and dives over beside the posts.

Jones converts her own try

Eels 16 Rooster 6 after 26 minutes

Eels second phase is tearing the defence to shreds after the kick off. They earn a line drop out on their last. Parra again look dangerous on the edge through Gunn-Tauai but some scrappy passes bring the set undone.

The Roosters last tackle kick again finds the turf near Parra’s quarter but this time the awkward bounce takes it into touch.

oh that’s some play as Jones, Gray and Savea keep the ball alive through the middle before Jones again backs up to pull out of tackles and score between the posts. but the ref has ruled the ball lost over the line. The siren sounds.

Half time Eels 16 lead Roosters 6

Second Half

What a start as the Roosters team is in front of the kicker at the kick off. Eels penalty. Into the red zone quickly. Gray takes a centering run looking for supports but the opportunity is there for her to go herself as she weaves her way to the posts then twists out of contact over the line to ground the ball. Try time.

Jones Converts

Eels 22 Roosters 6 after 33 minutes

Tremendous set after points as Parra’s forwards control the middle. The last tackle kick goes towards the try line and Roosters will have to begin this set from deep in their red zone.

A penalty late in the set improves their lot as they drive to Eels red zone. Big right side shift but the pass is awkward and trickles into touch about 15 out.

Eels go deep into the Roosters territory and the kick finds the turf and the chaser regathers and it’s hot potato stuff to Crichton-Ropati who kicks ahead. It takes a deflection into touch. Eels ball. Gunn-Tauai is held up close. Now Ma-Chong goes herself and is again held up. Big spread left and Aloalii puts the foot down to the corner and again the Roosters somehow hold her up.

Roosters get to their kick and Parra are quickly back into their attacking stride. It’s hard to keep up with the speed of the play in this blog! Ma-Chong grubbers towards the Indian on the last but the Roosters clean it up.

Again the visitors get to their kick and now again Parra tear through the middle. Well the Roosters are definitely plucky on their line as they manage to hold up both Savea and O’Loughlin over the line.

My blog is not doing justice to each of the Eels forwards here who are dominating. Bench players such as Vei, Misa and Saba have continued the hurt delivered by the seating pack. Roosters rucking it away from their line. A chip kick sees them get possession back. But there is no six again.

Gray is the puppet master here and O’Loughlin is loving it. Eels penalty. Full set in the red zone. It goes all wrong late in the set as O’Loughlin runs an obstruction line.

Roosters get to the last and throw up the bomb but Crichton Ropati takes it well under pressure. She follows that up a couple of plays later by carrying the ball deep down the right wing off a big shift. Eels error gives the Roosters possession and this time they finally get to Parra’s red zone to apply some pressure but the Eels defence responds superbly to shut them down. The Eels keep it standard and get to their kick. The Roosters are throwing caution to the wind to try to break the Eels defence but to now avail as the ball hits the turf. Eels scrum on halfway. Quickly back to the red zone and what deception from Savea. She joins a wide left play then puts the defenders in two minds with fast stepping before drilling a bullet pass to  Ligaliga who crashes over in the corner.

Conversion misses

Eels 26 Roosters 6 after 56 minutes

Thats special! The Eels waste little time after the kick off before getting expensive as the ball goes through Soufan to Aloalii who quickly delivers the ball to Ligaliga and the left winger sprints 50 metres to dot the ball down in the corner for a double in two minutes.

Conversion misses

Eels 30 Roosters 6 after 58 minutes

The Eels work to their kick in the set after points.

The Roosters try to link through the ruck as they take the ball past halfway but it comes to pieces with yet another dropped pass. Eels scrum. Parra run it on the last on this set and Gunn-Tauai is brought down ten out. The Roosters get to mid set in reply before the siren sounds.

Full time Eels 30 defeat Roosters Indigenous Academy 6

Quick comment.

To put this result in context, the Roosters had only given up a total of 38 points this season. The Eels just put on 30 points as they eviscerated the Roosters middle and conservatively left four tries out there.

What a performance!

 

 

Sixties