The Round 10 action rolls on as we head to the familiar trappings of Kellyville as the Eels host the Kaiviti Silktails in the Jersey Flegg and the North Sydney Bears in the NSW Cup. Join me for all of the action from 2:00PM in the Under 21s while the reggies will commence at 4:00PM!

Jersey Flegg Team List

 

1	Cameron Bamblett
2	Jeshua Maa-Nelson
3	Corey Leigh
4	Nathan Howlett
5	Druzel Taula
6	Ioane Lui
7	Kade Moujalli
8	Max Fuimaono Popo
9	Lachlan Coinakis
15	Steven Nunn
11	Stirling Faumui
12	Michael Nauer
13	Jackson Koina
Interchange
14	Wesley Tongamoa
17	Markkuz Ofanoa
18	Billy Fanene
21	Maison Ong
18	Maddox Wright

 

Late Mail

 

Big reshuffle through the pack and the interchange for the Eels today. Max Popo is starting for Beau Lucien while Steven Nunn joins him as he replaces Jordan Miller. Billy Fanene and Maison Ong join the bench as a result.

Even later mail now as Michael Nauer joins the starting backrow in his Flegg debut.

 

Match Updates

 

First Half

 

Eels field the ball in the opening set of the game.

Really good metres here as the Eels spread it to their left and find Druzel Taula for a nice gain. Steven Nunn trucks it over halfway and the set is completed with a deft dab from Ioane Lui as the kick chase races downfield to trap the Silktails near their goal lime.

While the Eels were close to clinical in their first set, Kaiviti struggle for purchase are ultimately drop the ball on the last to put the home team in an ideal starting position. A batted pass early in the following set causes a reset in play as the Eels pack for a centrefield scrum.

The scrum feed and win goes right with Howlett. Nice run and offload from Nunn here as the Eels work back left. Koina then centres the ball as Moujalli takes play right with his fullback Bamblett and he finds Maa-Nelson in stride with a cutout pass for what looks to be the first points of the game but the touch judge has held his ground and signaled for a forward pass.

Must have been a pretty close call there but the Silktails have survived the raid as a result.

An extended possession follows for the visitors as they pick up at 6-again but they squander it shortly afterwards with a loose play-the-ball. Time is blown off as the Fijian player who made the error is struggling to get to his feet. Thankfully he seems to be okay after a brief break.

Lui feeds the midfield scrum with centrefield alignment. To the right again as Jeshua Maa-Nelson is met heavily by the defence.Nauer and Koina follow up as Popo then hits and spin. Moujalli goes to the air on the last as Maa-Nelson gives chase. The Silktails tip it backwards in the aerial contest and are able to regather it on the bounce only to lose possession two players later.

Another chance inside the red zone for the Eels.

For the first time today they choose to break left from the scrum win. It is quick hands to a flying Bamblett on the angled run towards the sideline and his pace quickly generates the potential 2-on-1 out wide. He has Taula on his left but dummies and goes himself as he brushes through a cover tackle and scores in the corner. Moujalli drills the extras from the left sideline.

 

Try scored by Cameron Bamblett. Conversion successful by Kade Moujalli.

Eels lead 6-0

9min gone

 

Good gains from Koina and Nunn early on as Moujalli then spins it to the right for a nice gain via Maa-Nelson. Drama on the last tackle as Moujalli is taken heavily in the action of kicking and the referee is quick to signal a penalty where the ball lands before a Kaiviti defender goes on report.

Coinakais tap and pass to Nunn. He then combines with Koina who offloads back to his rake which brings Popo into the play. Nunn gets a second run in the set as the Fijians repel him. Moujalli tries to steer play to the right from there but is met with a hungry tackle that jolts the ball loose for the turnover before the Eels concede a penalty a few tackles later.

The Silktails get a rare possession inside Parramatta’s half in these early exchanges and make a key in-road in quick fashion as their prop Rawamila makes a half break. They pick up a set restart to pile on more pressure and will get a red hot crack at the Eels here but they have butchered it! Their other starting prop Rauluni has a nice carry that finds a small seam between two defenders but as he reaches out through contact to try and ground the ball he loses it right in front of the ref. Phew!

An error from the Eels coming out of their defensive quarter means the pressure is immediately back on however.

Defence holds out to the last with some nice contact before a nice read down the right edge of the Blue & Gold sees the home team force the turnover on tackles. Think that was Howlett with a nice read and tackle there.

A tough set looms for the Eels now as they play from their goal line. Popo winning a set restart is huge for the cause as Parramatta get momentum from the continuation of the set. However, just as the Silktails are set on the backfoot, an error from Faumui stalls the momentum for the Eels.

Some chaotic footy from the Silktails in their scrum win as they flirt with the sideline and make a desperation offload that barely keeps them in possession. Corey Leigh appeals to the referee that he was impeded by a support runner and it looks for a moment that he might win the whistle but play goes on. It leads to Bamblett making a lovely take under the high ball on the last before the Fijian squad is penalised the next play for a 10m infringement.

Nauer gets us back underway as Nunn has a cracking run and offload to find Howlett! It leads to a high tackle on the centre and as we tap and go. Nice catch and dummy from Lui as he then finds Koina as the lock fights for metres through the middle. Big cutout pass from Bamblett to Taula now but the space isn’t there for the rangy winger and despite his best efforts to sortie back infield he ends up over the sideline.

An error is initially called against the visitors from the main official but it is overturned into a penalty against the Eels with advice from the far sideline touch judge. It puts the Silktails back into Parramatta’s half as they hunt the equalising score.

Heavy focus on their left edge from the Silktails here but they don’t find much purchase until the last where actual chaos reigns. There are multiple kicks and drop backwards and passes before it finally peaks in a double knock-on that is initially against the Fijians.

The Eels get their second penalty of the game for a hit on the kicker – this time on Lui – in a play that nearly saw Bamblett score. Instead, Bamblett winds back the clock to earlier in the game where he almost played try-creater for Maa-Nelson save for a forward pass call. This time around he gets the sequencing right as he hits JMN cleanly down the right sideline and the flanker strolls over comfortably before bringing it infield to the train-track marks.

 

Try scored by Jeshua Maa-Nelson. Conversion successful by Kade Moujalli.

Eels lead 12-0

26min gone

 

Koina is dispossessed in a tackle with multiple defenders in play and the referee is all over it. It puts the Eels over halfway and then deep into the Silktail’s half following a nice carry from Faumui. Gorgeous conclusion to the set! Lovely disguise – quite similar to the Katoa/Nikorima play in the NRL this weekend – as the Eels disguise the late sweep of Bamblett to the left. The pace from Lui is spot on and it sets Bamblett up for the easy dish up to Taula in the corner! B-E-A-UTIFUL!

 

Try scored by Druzel Taula. Conversion unsuccessful by Kade Moujalli.

Eels lead 16-0

30min gone

 

Good set after points now. It started with a quick shift to the right for a half break before a carry from Leigh took the Eels to halfway. Moujalli completed the possession with a towering bomb that was very well taken by the fullback Railala but the visitors go on to lose the ball in the ruck midway through their reply set.

Bamblett and Maa-Nelson have their second combination try denied! Another lovely short side option from the fullback here as he releases his flanker down a narrow corridor but it was too narrow! He gets over in the corner but the touch judge’s flag was raised a few steps back as he planted a foot on the white chalk.

Poor sequence from both sides now as the Kaiviti fail to complete another set before the Eels run themselves into touch on the first tackle of the following set.

Time is off for a dusty Silktail and it is due to a potential concussion. The trainer indicates he will leave the field for a HIA.

Some good charges from the Fijian middles here but the Eels meet them equally and smart positioning from Taula on the last wins a 20m restart.

To the right now as the backs in Howlett and JMN take early runs. Sharp work from Coinakis as he darts out and then uses Ofanoa. It all opens up from there as the switch of play to the left strips the Silktails for numbers and Bamblett – that man again – looks back inside to find Corey Leigh in support and flicks the with an underhand offload to his centre for a try under the posts.

 

Try scored by Corey Leigh. Conversion successful by Kade Moujalli.

Eels lead 22-0

37min gone

 

Ofanoa brings the ball back and finds the late offload as Fanene carts it up on the second phase play. He is then right back into it with a follow up carry. Short side from the Eels as they play right and catch a lucky break as their aggressive offloading catch the hand of a defender on halfway.

The Eels race to pack the scrum as the clock winds towards half time. Making enough chronological currency in hand for a few plays. Parramatta are finishing strong here but just as they set up for the final play of the half time is called off for an injured Silktail. We eventually get to that last ditch play but it quickly unravels and ends up with the ball over the right sideline as Howlett tries to offload to Jeshua Maa-Nelson as the winger cut back inside.

 

Half Time

Parramatta Eels 22 lead the Kaiviti Silktails 0

 

Second Half

 

Eels to kick off. Both teams successfully navigate their opening possessions in something of a rare arm wrestle in this contest today. Suddenly the Eels are opened up on the last tackle as the markers over-commit to the kick pressure and open up a passage for the dummy-half to slice through. Thankfully the cover defence from Taula means that Bamblett has the supports to needs at the last line and the Eels survive a momentary scare. Alas though, they fail to complete the following set as the Silktails edge ahead in the early territorial battle in the second half.

A penalty for the visitors now, after a bit of advantage played, looks like someone was hit late or off the ball there. The Silktails are playing some good, physical footy here and it nearly gets rewarded with points save for the offload from backrower to left winger falling too low and inducing a knock on in the corner. Let off for the Eels there.

Another slice of luck now for the home team when Lui’s clearing kick is charged down and then knocked-on by the opposition in the scramble for the loose ball. Multiple set-restarts follow as Coinakis attacks in behind the ruck and finds Ofanoa. The Silktails are reeling here as the Eels dig in down their right. Bamblett wants to find Maa-Nelson once again but his pass is well off the mark in this instance and it sails across his winger’s face and into touch.

The Eels get a piggy back next possession following a high tackle but again the Eels can only cobble together a scrappy set that ends up incomplete.

Devastating carry from Ong! He rumbles over multiple defenders down the right edge for a monster gain. It is much needed impetus for the Eels following a slow start to the half and a couple of tackles later Ioane Lui seizes on the sudden surge when play comes back to the left. He explodes off his left foot from 20m out and leaves defenders grasping at thin air as he is met at the goal line only to fight through the tackle and slam the ball on the line!

 

Try scored by Ioane Lui. Conversion successful by Kade Moujalli.

Eels lead 28-0

55min gone

 

Leigh with the long range break! Great carry from the left centre as he finds his way into open space and stays calm to keep the set alive. It lets the Eels spin to the right where his running mate in the centres in Howlett has a looping run back to the posts. It all culminates with a play-the-ball in front of the uprights as Coinakis schemes with options either side. He indicates he wants a lead runner to the right and the Silktails fall right into his ploy and he throws the dummy and dives over!

 

 

Try scored by Lacklan Coinakis. Conversion successful by Kade Moujalli.

Eels lead 34-0

59min gone

 

A penalty for a dangerous throw on Lui it looks like. Lui is the man immediately in the wake of the resumption of play as well with a kick at the start of the repeat set. It is perfectly weighted though and it is literally down to who gets their first between Faumui and Leigh and unfortunately for the big backrower – it is the Eels’ left centre who wins the footrace for the loose ball and the try.

 

Try scored by Corey Leigh. Conversion successful by Kade Moujalli.

Eels lead 40-0

62min gone

 

The flow of tries halts now as we work through traded completed sets from both sides. The Eels get a bit loose at times in the process but manage to get to their kicks in spite of it. Eventually it comes to a head though when they spill the ball trying to execute a shift deep in their own half.

It is followed by a penalty against Nauer as he goes on report. Maybe it was for a late hit there?

At least a good defensive effort is the result of it all. Nice work from Taula and Lui down the left edge there as they get the turnover by way of intercept.

The game has devolved into a real scrap now. Plenty of errors on both sides in the last 10-minutes. The Eels go close to scoring via Corey Leigh but some terrific scramble from the Silktails prevents him from grounding the ball. It is followed by a gritty effort to keep Nauer up over the line and is ultimately rewarded with a small bobble from Nunn flipping possession.

Bamblett is taken high late in Parramatta’s next set. The clock winds up 3-minutes as Coinakis sets up for a tap. Nunn is his man on the first play. Coinakis is the man on the next play as he rips a long cutout pass across the ruck to hit Popo and the bookend does a great job bringing the ball in and then beating the defence in quick succession to score next to the posts!

 

Try scored by Max Fuimaono Popo. Conversion successful by Kade Moujalli.

Eels lead 46-0

78min gone

 

Nice work from Popo and Coinakis as their second phase play produces big metres through the middle for the Eels. It sets the platform for a rapid switch to the left where the Silktails are stripped for numbers as Corey Leigh cuts back against the sliding defence to secure his hat-trick in the nick of time.

 

Try scored by Corey Leigh. Conversion unsuccessful by Kade Moujalli.

Eels lead 50-0

80min gone

 

Full Time

Parramatta Eels 50 defeat the Kaiviti Silktails 0

 

NSW Cup Team List

 

1	Brad Avery
2	Mohamed Alameddine
3	Araz Nanva
4	Jezaiah Funa-Iuta
5	Jordan Hill
6	Lorenzo Talataina
7	Apa Twidle
8	Teancum Brown
9	Kruz Niutili-Schmidt
10	Zack Visconti
11	Christoper Petrus
12	Trace Beattie
13	Tyrese Lokeni
Interchange
14	Jack Hudson
18	Callum McMenemy
16	Ryda Talagi
25	Jordan Miller

 

Late Mail

 

Some big time changes in Cup today. Jezaiah Funa-Iuta finds himself in the centres as the Eels’ back line stocks are tested this week. That brings Christopher Petrus into the starting back row while the bench is bolstered by the late additions of Callum McMenemy and Jordan Miller.

 

Match Updates

 

First Half

 

Eels to kick off.

Very solid start to the game from the visitors. They work into Parra’s half with the aid of a set restart. Alameddine makes an important tackle down the left edge before Hill finally gets the Eels in possession as he scrambles to dive on the ball following a contest that saw neither team win the ball in the air.

Twidle is probably unlucky not to draw a whistle on his clearing kick as he is taken to the ground by his collar but it is evident that the Bears are keen as mustard early on here.

Great play from Beattie! The peel off tackle sees him execute a one-on-one strip to steal a march on the visitors. Alameddine and Nanva cart it over halfway as Lorenzo drifts infield to link up with Visconti. Twidle to the air as Hill chases. He gets first touch on the descending ball but tips it forwards.

Good, physical contest here. The Bears are slightly ahead but the Eels are very much fronting up. As I type that the Bears win a line drop out with an excellent grubber kick down their left edge. The Eels go shortish but can’t get the ball back and it sets the visitors up for a big set. They work from right-to-left as they try to isolate the backrower in the centres and they succeed. Funa-Iuta tries to get to his assignment but is beaten for speed by his opposite as Kieran Hayman crosses out wide.

 

Try scored by the North Sydney Bears. Conversion successful.

Bears lead 6-0

12min gone

 

And the Bears are surging now as offloads and short balls around the ruck start to pull the Eels apart. A set restart late in the count is a devastating result for the Blue & Gold – can they hold on here?

Massive goal line stand here for the Eels. The right edge does really well through the majority of the set to bring up the last and from there some bad luck strikes for the home team. The Bears run it to their left on the last. There is a sharp pressure that forces a poor, hurried pass. It could go anywhere as it squirts along the grass but it rolls perfectly for Katoa to scoop up and dive over in the corner. Gee that is rough.

 

Try scored by the North Sydney Bears. Conversion unsuccessful.

Bears lead 10-0

16min gone

 

Concern for JFI now. He has copped a pretty gnarly hip drop tackle there. A penalty is blown and the defender goes on report but he is on the ground and getting treatment from the trainer. Play eventually resumes as the Eels find touch inside the Bears’ half. We work right to left as Teancum Brown wins a set restart. Lorenzo uses Beattie down the left and then digs in himself before dropping it off to Visconti. Brown tries to power his way over next and goes close! Left to Lorenzo who hits Beattie wide left. Back to the posts to bring up the last.

What has happened there? Niutili-Schmidt hits Brown from dummy half with a tough pass and the big man has somehow juggled it without touching a defender before bringing it in and scoring under the posts! How did he manage that!?

 

Try scored by Teancum Brown. Conversion successful by Apa Twidle.

Eels trail 6-10

21min gone

 

Good set! Petrus and Visconti rips in with surging runs and the attacking bomb goes up! The Bears come down with it but the fullback clips his own man and takes a nasty fall. The referee blows a penalty and the Eels are miffed here. Has he ruled that we pushed the off-the-ball Bear? Hard to tell but the Eels didn’t like the call.

A half break here from the Bears but the scramble from the Eels is right there and they are rewarded when their pressure leads to a pushed pass that travels very clearly forwards. Touchy is on the spot to make the call.

Brown and Talagi with the powerful runs now. Talagi just carries defenders deep past the ad-line! Left from there as Talataina links up with Avery who then uses Alameddine but the left flanker has the ball reefed out of his grasp in the tackle and the referee rules it a lost ball.

The Eels wear a couple of contentious play-on calls for what looked to be completed tackles here and it escalates to a penalty as some dissent is disseminated from player to referee there. It could be an important penalty given the Bears could consolidate their lead as a result but well done to Jordan Hill down the right sideline who makes a brilliant ball and all tackle to fling Katoa into touch following a raid from the Bears down that side!

Nice work from Lorenzo here with a great tackle from marker to slow the Bears down. Fellow young gun Trace Beattie has another heads up play as he is awake to a potential offload and snatches it out of the air for his second turnover against the run of play!

Big Jordie Miller is on and rumbles in as Lokeni follows him up. Play breaks down from there on the last with a mully-grubber pass from Hudson out of dummy-half as the Eels just eat the tackle instead of forcing a loose play.

Interesting. The Bears are looking to slow the game down now. Small gains in their set leads to a deliberate touch finding clearance kick. The Eels have done well to work their way back into this battle and that was a sign of respect from their opposition.

Oh my lawd. Miller has killed a man. Or at least knocked him into next week with a ridiculous bump and run! Alas the Eels get it wrong on the last as the attacking bomb from Lorenzo skews left off his boot and barely sails out on the full to gift the Bears 20 bonus metres.

A terrific reply from the Bears now. Just professional stuff as they drive into Parra’s half and then complete the set with a sensational kick that traps Avery in-goals. The Eels go short from the kickoff and can’t quite come away with it. Even worse, the Bears are able to keep the ball alive and somehow get to a right-edge short side and cross in the corner as the Eels are caught a defender short.

 

Try scored by the North Sydney Bears. Conversion successful.

Bears lead 16-6

36min gone

 

Sharp work from Moey Alameddine now! He provides a lovely kick return that splits the Bears and wins a good 30m for the Eels. It looks like the ball has been turned over shortly afterwards as big Miller loses the pill but he is in a bad way and the referee quickly signals a penalty. High tackle. On report. Miller is struggling here as the trainer tends to him. Obviously he will enter concussion protocols now with a HIA to occur.

Twidle will kick for touch once we get back underway. Time enough for a full set here as Nanva takes the tap restart. Right to Lorenzo who sends Talagi into the fray. Great run. Big PCM again from the young bull. It is a key run too! He sets up a shift to the left that Talataina has his finger prints all over as he digs in to the line to set the focal point of the attack before passing to Avery. The fullback could run or pass here but chooses to hit Alameddine to his left and the winger spins through the cover defence to score in the corner! Great try!

 

Try scored by Mohamed Alameddine. Conversion unsuccessful by Apa Twidle.

Eels trail 10-16

 

Half Time

North Sydney Bears 16 lead the Parramatta Eels 10

 

Second Half

 

Bears to kick off.

Talagi with the opening charge. Beattie and Visconti follow. Lokeni ball plays to Petrus down the right before taking a charge himself. Tidy set as Twidle hoists a midfield bomb. There is an error from the Bears in the contest but the referee believes there was interference and thus a penalty is blown against the home team.

A second penalty is blown – looks like for taking the tackle past the horizontal – and it sets the Bears up a proper raid on the Eels. They are further bolstered by a set restart call when Funa-Iuta tries to punish the Bears for having no dummy-half but the call goes against him and it is JFI who is targeted later in the set as their fullback Toby is able to slip an offload away through his tackle to find Hayman in support for a try in the corner. Tough luck for the young backrower-come-centre there. He did as well as he could against the speedy back with outside leverage but the offload undid his defensive effort.

 

Try scored by the North Sydney Bears. Conversion successful.

Bears lead 22-10

45min gone

 

Now it is Avery who provides a very handy kick return for the Eels as he gets back to the 20m line for the Eels despite the attention of multiple kick chasers. It leads to a pretty solid set from the home team as Trace Beattie carries them into the opposition half before Twidle sends up a very well weighted bomb. A solid chase traps the Bears deep in their own half.

Good to-and-fro now as the Eels and Bears trade jabs through their various possessions. It is the Bears that edge ahead as their offloading continues to test the Eels but once again the scramble defence keeps the home team in the contest. The effort levels have been very good today – and they need to be given the Bears are playing some great footy.

The Eels are getting frustrated now as a couple of late penalties are blown against them. Talataina (high shot) and Beattie (crusher) and very clearly less than impressed by the whistles against them but it has set the Bears up from 30m out from Parra’s goal line.

The Eels concede from short range late in the set. It is a dummy-half burrow over. The initial contact from the defenders is actually pretty good but play drags out – as it is won’t to do – without a held call and Josh Cook is able to finally free his arm and get the ball down to lift the Bears to a commanding lead.

 

Try scored by the North Sydney Bears. Conversion successful.

Bears lead 28-10

57min gone

 

Not quite back-to-back tries for the Bears here – they force a line drop out first before managing to cross out wide. It took an aggressive cutout pass – that was actually tipped by Jordan Hill – and an excellent adjustment catch from Toi Tuilapea to break them but the Bears do get it done. That wasn’t a bad effort from Hill there, he got a fair piece of the ball but the subsequent catch was very impressive. Bears have really put some space between them and the gutsy Eels here as we enter the final quarter.

 

Try scored by the North Sydney Bears. Conversion successful.

Bears lead 34-10

62min gone

 

More points for the Bears. They have enjoyed a glut of possession in the second half and are converting it into scoreboard dominance. It it a second try for Toi Tuileapa down the right sideline here and another one from a long cutout pass. No tip on this one though as he takes it cleanly and dives over in the corner.

 

Try scored by the North Sydney Bears. Conversion successful.

Bears lead 40-10

70min gone

 

One last try it would seem. The Eels try a trick shot from a scrum as they kick ahead for a flying Talataina but the bounce of the ball is unkind and the Bears come away with it. They fire back with some passes through the middle that open the Eels up before kicking ahead and winning the race to score to the right of the posts.

 

Try scored by the North Sydney Bears. Conversion successful.

Bears lead 46-10

 

Full Time

North Sydney Bears 46 defeat the Parramatta Eels 10