It’s hard to believe, but we have already reached the final regular round of the Junior Representative Competitions.

The Eels are guaranteed a finals appearance in both the Matts and Ball, and this weekend will determine whether they can achieve a top 4 placing.

Though the Bulldogs look likely to hold onto a spot in the bottom half of the 8 in Ball, they are still scrapping for a finals berth in Matts.

Traditionally, the pathways clashes between Parra and Canterbury have been ferociously physical affairs. I don’t expect this brace of games to be any different.

 

 

Harold Matthews Team List

 

1	Liam Martin
2	Elijah Alhazim
3	Tyler Lama
4	Lorima .Seuseu
5	William Memea Epe
6	Salatielu Tamati
7	Caleb Leiataua
8	Curtis Brown
9	Spencer Sorensen
10	Winston Tahi
11	Jake Capovilla
12	Tyson Puleitu
13	Hayden Bell
Interchange
14	Flynn Manu’a
15	Khan Jackosn
16	Deon Haynes
17	Nixon O’Connor
19	Danny Abuhamed

 

Late Mail

Eels 1-17

First Half

Bulldogs kicking off. Tahi drops the pass and it’s the Dogs straight on the attack. Wide left for the visitors but the Eels slide and bundle the winger into touch.

Tough yards for Parra as they work off their line. The clearing kick is chased by Bell and he wraps up the fullback on the 20.

The Dogs kick on their own 45 but it’s a shallow up and under that the Eels allow to bounce and the Dogs fumble back in their own half.

Parra advance to the red zone but a wide right shift comes apart as a poor pass to Lama is fumbled and the Dogs player scoops it up and dashes to the 50. Down to Parra’s quarter and it’s a mirror image of what just transpired as the Dogs drop it and Lama scoots 70 metres. The Dogs scramble and defend the red zone set then field a dropped bomb. A solid set to Parra’s line follows before Parra again get back to the Dogs red zone in this end to end contest. Each team guilty of poor red zone execution.

Parra break the trend as Capovilla chases a kick to force a drop out. Brown gets levelled in a ferocious hit then Seuseu is barely held out by the defence in front of the posts. Last tackle and Parra run it short side on the right with seemingly little on, but Lama does it all himself beating three defenders and diving over in the corner.

Martin misses the conversion

Eels 4 Bulldogs nil after 13 minutes

Light drizzle as the Eels work play to the 40 for a last tackle kick but it’s too deep. Seven tackle set incoming.

Quite a good set by the Dogs is spoiled by a poor kick fielded by Alhazim on his 20. Eels try an early 40/20 kick but the fullback has it covered. The Dogs reply with a last tackle kick to the 20 which narrowly avoids going out on the full.

Parra opt for a short chip from 30 out on the last which is fielded spectacularly. It’s all between the 20s now as the Dogs kick is taken on the fly by Martin. This sets up a genuine attacking set. Down to the quarter and the grubber is chased by Capovilla who wins the race to ground the ball!

Martin converts

Eels 10 Bulldogs nil after 22 minutes

Perfect completion of the set after points as the kick to the goal line is chased with the tackle completed five metres out. The Eels now muscle up in defence and are rewarded with starting their next set just on their side of halfway.

The Dogs are under pressure and Parra opts to run it on their last and Alhazim picks up a bouncing pass and almost weaves his way to the line. Dogs penalty relieves the pressure. A high last tackle kick and fortune favours the brave as their chaser takes on the catch and its Dogs try time out of nothing!

Conversion misses

Eels 10 Bulldogs 4 after 27 minutes

Dogs error. Eels scrum on the quarter line. Eels work their left and Seuseu goes close from an almost standing start. Play is centred to the posts. Sorensen feeds a short sharp ball to Haynes in a crash play and the Eels middle forward somehow grounds the ball covered by defenders.

Conversion by Martin

Half time: Eels 16 Dogs 4

Second Half

Dogs complete their first set and their kick is put down by Epe. Six more to the Dogs as a result as they press Parra’s line. They run it right on the last and defenders swarm to shut it down.

Parra get to their kick but the Dogs get a penalty in their set, now another five out after the ref misses a forward pass. Incredible line speed in this set from the Eels and they eventually force a handling error.

Parra turn on the power in response as the forwards own the middle. Down to the Dogs line and the crossfield bomb is tapped back to Lama who doesn’t hesitate in sprinting to the corner to ground the ball.

Conversion misses

Eels 20 Dogs 4 after 40 minutes

Parra complete the set after points with a high kick by Tamati. The Dogs reply with a last tackle spiral bomb that Martin fields superbly but he then has the ball knocked out of his grasp at the play the ball and his pleas fall on deaf ears. Dogs scrum 45 out. Now a Dogs error 35 out. Seuseu with a strong carry. Now back right and the cut out to the winger is touched by the Dogs and sails into touch. Looks like Bell is filling in at dummy half and he takes a dart and goes close. Oh no the player who’s jumped in to dummy half throws a shocker that is eventually fielded 35 out! The bomb from Leiataua is chased hard but there’s a tackle in the air – fair call.

The teams trade sets and the Dogs break the pattern with an error on their own 20.

Parra work play to the posts. Right now to the edge and Capovilla runs a great line and hurdles a diving defender to cross for a superbly executed try.

Martin converts

Eels 26 Dogs 4 after 50 minutes

Heavy collision on Tahi and the Eels prop is off for HIA. Dogs scrum. Parra’s defence is really on song today and they handle everything the Dogs throw at them. Hand over.

Wow look out Leiataua has split them and he’s onto space. Roe looms in support and it’s finger tip control on the pass but he’s tackled into touch 30 out.

Dogs error mid set just into Parra’s half. Parra back on the attack via a Lama break down the right wing. Back to the posts but the ball goes down.

Things now fire up as the push and shove comes in Parra’s next set. The ref settles everyone and its play the ball. An Eels error soon follows and it’s a Dogs scrum. They go for a big left side shift but Alhazim knocks the pass down. Dogs scrum.

Theres a bit of spite creeping in as some scrappy play is mixed with players squaring up.

The final siren is almost welcome as the game comes to a conclusion.

Full time – Eels 26 defeat Bulldogs 4

 

SG Ball Team List

 

1	Riley Davis
2	Samuela Sorovi
3	Nathan Howlett
4	Lachlan Vella
5	Cyrus Bloomfield
6	Cameron Bamblett
7	Talen Risati
8	Steven Nunn
9	Jirah-Trey Stewart
10	Ryda Talagi
11	Stirling Faumui
17	Nicholas Kotarac
13	Jackson Koina
Interchange
12	Billy Fanene
15	Wesley Tongamoa
16	Maison Ong
22	Viliami Fifita
18	Kordell Pritchard
25	Michael Nauer

Late Mail

 

First Half

Eels to kick off. Dogs work up to halfway this set. Great kick pressure on the last forces a miscue and the Eels let the Dogs field it with the tackle completed immediately on the 40. Eels back to the red zone but the set ends with the Dogs in possession 20 out. Dogs again get to the last and Parra start their set 25 out.

It’s a case of trading sets early as Risati’s kick is fielded on the 20. A Dogs penalty breaks the cycle. They advance play to Parra’s red zone but an errant pass mid set gives Parra a scrum feed on the quarter line.

The Dogs get physical in defence this set but are penalised for pushing the bounds. Now a second penalty to give a full set on the red zone. Great line from Kotarac and he receives a penalty. Joins and Nunn ask questions with huge charges at the line then Davis kicks to the corner but it’s too big.

Seven tackle set for the Dogs comes to an end with an error on Parra’s 20. Wow what a run from Bamblett as he takes a hit up and weaves through the ruck only to have the ball knocked free forty out. Terrific defensive set follows from Parra.

Boom! The attack follows as Davis splits them and links with Bamblett in support and he’s tackled a metre out. Quick hands out wide to Howlett who draws the last defender for Bloomfield to literally walk over for the try.

Bloomfield converts from the sideline.

Eels 6 Dogs nil after 11 minutes.

Not good as Parra make a mess of fielding the kick off. Dogs go right after the scrum but the pass to the winger is touched by Bloomfield to prevent the try. Dogs ball again. What a tackle from Kotarac and Talagi. Now the kick is dropped by Parra but it looks like Vella has picked up the scraps to scramble out into play.

Penalty to Parra who get to the Dogs red zone and the Dogs do the same. A high kick from Bamblett on the last in the next set is nearly reeled in by Sorovi but it comes free.

The Dogs winger splits Parra next set and Davis does a great job of bringing him down before Ong finishes the job and jolts the ball free. Eels scrum on our 20. Parra get to their kick and opt for a chip towards Bloomfield’s wing 30 out but the Dogs cover it up.

Dogs last tackle kick rolls dead. Seven tackle set. Eels penalty and touch found 30’out. Loose pass in the red zone and the pressure is relieved. They quickly get to Parra’s 30 but lose the ball in contact. This is a very physical contest.

Another high kick on the last and Parra chaser is penalised for offside after a heavy tackle. Wow, what a tackle from Kouna to take the wind out of the Dogs sails late in the set, then Sorovi takes the bomb ten out. Parra again get to the kick but the Dogs now make terrific meters in reply. Back to the red zone and how did they hold up the centre there! Now another great tackle under the posts. The last tackle comes down the left wing and the Eels clean up the deflection and scramble into the field of play. Penalty to Parra and now the Dogs are forced to defend their line. The last tackle kick is tapped back by Bloomfield and the Dogs navigate the scramble as Parra attempt to keep it alive.
Im still typing that up as Parra launch an attack in their next possession. The ball goes to the left edge and on a flash Sorovi has finished the quick hands of those inside him to dive over in the corner as the siren sounds.

Bloomfield converts from the sideline.

Half time Eels 12 Bulldogs nil

Second Half

Dogs kick off and Kotarac does well to hold the ball. The bomb is hoisted by Parra on the lasted and the Dogs attempt the spectacular catch and it’s no surprise that the ball goes down – and Davis swoops in for the scraps and the try.

Bloomfield converts

Eels 18 Dogs nil after 38 minutes

Koina charges into the defence from the kick off and he’s hammered by the big forwards. The ball is judged to have come free. Scrum. Dogs chip kick into the in goal on the last and Kotarac cleans up.

Drop out.

Not much happening after the kick as the Eels handle all questions. But the last tackle grubber takes a deflection and the chaser gets to the ball first and the Dogs are on the board.

Conversion successful

Eels 18 Dogs 6 after 43 minutes

Dogs penalty in the kick off set and the Eels are back to defending their line. Well they were but there’s a lost ball and the pressure is relieved.

Parra rucking the ball out but Ong drops the ball in contact. More defence incoming. What a play by Sorovi! The dogs go left on Parra’s 30 and it looks like the winger will be released. Sorovi gets himself between players, taps the ball up in the air for himself and he’s off on a 80 metre run to the posts!

Conversion successful

Eels 24 Dogs 6 after 48 minutes

Dogs get overly physical at the kick off. Eels penalty.

Parra get to the last tackle kick which the Dogs allow to bounce 20 out and fortunately for them they clean it up. It’s an ordinary set from them that follows with a kick that dribbles out just into Parra’s half. The teams now trade sets and the cycle is broken as Bloomfield sprints down the wing and attempts to kick ahead but knocks on.

Dogs penalty and they take a quick tap. They work a short side play at the end of the set and grubber ahead. Davis is adjudged to have brought down a chaser and he’s binned. The Eels knock down a pass in the ensuing set so it’s a Dogs scrum. Again terrific line speed from Parra and the error is forced. Not sure what’s happened there but the Eels have the penalty after the scrum. It’s a good set that follows as the ball is turned over ten out from the Dogs line.

A last tackle kick to the corner is fielded by Howlett and the Dogs are penalised. Parra quickly work into the Dogs half and Risati’s bomb is dropped by the fullback. Parra pepper the line around the posts early next set which simply sets up the killer blow. Left to Bamblett who fires a bullet to Bloomfield and the winger not only hightails it to the corner, he shows the awareness to bring the ball behind the posts as the defence gives up.

Conversion nailed

Eels 30 Dogs 6 after 66 minutes

Eels penalty for a tackle on the air. The play advances to the red zone this set and the set up for a “disrespectful field goal” is perfect.
Risati drills the one point

Eels 31 Dogs 6 after 68 minutes

Dogs gather the kick off and the last tackle kick is fielded by Davis. Eels penalty. Nauer splits the defence. Left side shift follows but the tackle is made as the siren sounds.
Full time

Eels 31 Dogs 6

 

 

 

 

Sixties