There are four games on the docket for the Eels on Sunday and it all starts with the Women’s Premiership as Parramatta look to continue their strong start to the season in reserve grade with three victories and a singular loss to their name.

The Eels head to WIN Stadium as part of a double header with the NRLW with presumably at least one change set to come. Given Kyliah Gray looks set to make her NRLW debut, Parramatta will need  to find a replacement for the young lock forward in the NSWWP.

That change – and any others – will be in the late mail below with the girls kicking off at 11:45AM!

Women’s Premiership Team List

Late Mail

To come.

Match Updates

First Half

This will be a slightly disjointed coverage as I juggle covering this with other duties. Quite a few late changes for the Eels before the game and it’s been a dominant start to the game with the forwards completely controlling the middle.

Two tries from close range to Fa’amausili has emphasised the Eels dominance through the forwards (she added a conversion of her second try) whilst a try between those from Morrissey who powered over out wide. Conversions have been a challenge as the Eels racked up a 14 nil lead in even time.

The Eels are soon back in the red zone as Zali Fay is brought down centimetres short Dow the left edge. Takairangi is at dummy half and it’s a simple pass to Todhunter down the short side and she crashes over for try four.

Conversion misses.

Eels 18 Steelers nil after around 18 minutes.

Both teams trading sets now though the Eels look the more dangerous in possession. Just as I type that the home side break down the right wing and only scrambling defence from Fay stops them ten out. Wide shift left and they keep the ball alive to score in the left corner.

Conversion is a ripper from wide out.

Eels 18 lead Steelers 6 after 27 minutes

It’s amazing what a try can do for a team’s confidence as the Steelers again find joy down the right wing. They strip the Eels for pace and the support play is superb as they cross out wide and just in from the right corner.

Conversion unsuccessfulEels.

Eels 18 Steelers 10 after 32 minutes.

Freedom Crichton-Ropati! What superlatives can we use? The Eels dynamic winger just scored the type of solo try we are used to in her pathways football as she jumps into dummy half 33 metres out from her own line, weaves her way through the forwards, then accelerates past the fullback to score out wide on the left.

Ava Jones is now kicking but misses the conversion.

Siren sounds.

Half time Eels 22 (five tries) lead Steelers 10

Second Half

Steelers penalty in the first set and they get into Parra’s half and make the Eels pay big time as they go left and cut through the Eels right edge to score out wide.

Conversion unsuccessful

Eels 22 Steelers 14 after 38 minutes.

Great set after points from the Steelers who are playing fast and direct and to be honest there are warning signals for the Eels defence. Parra reply and draw a Steelers error with the last tackle kick.

Eels scrum.

The Eels are held up over the line mid set and the Steelers hold on as Parra lose their way late in the set.

Poor work from Parra as they are penalised for a late tackle on the Steelers kicker and the Steelers immediately score. Did I say warning bells? The alarms are sounding right now.

Conversion misses.

Eels 22 Steelers 18 after 46 minutes

Steelers are really up lying the pressure and the Eels are doing well to hold on.

Crichton-Ropati receives a penalty as she attempts to drive play upfield with a solo run. Parra waste the opportunity with a lost ball.

Steelers scrum.

That looks like an awful call as they are penalised Eels player smashes the Steelers runner and the ball comes free for six again and a try.

Conversion successful

Steelers 24 lead Eels 22 after 59 minutes

Great set after points for the Steelers and Parra get an offside penalty but fail to find points. This is self destruct mode. Fortunately the Steelers knock on soon after.

Parra advance to the red zone but a poor last tackle kick softly turns over possession. Eels get another chance as the Steelers knock on again. Parra need to get Freedom involved but that won’t happen as a forward pass happens off the scrum! The Eels are losing all control here.

Great catch from Fay and she beats numerous chasers. Freedom follows up with a run which earns a penalty. Eels are gun shy about kicking and tap and run. They advance play to the red zone but simply complete the set without kicking. Steelers lose possession next set to gift Parra another chance but again not much is asked.

Steelers complete a great set and the Eels get one last chance with seconds remaining. Parra split them and then go left. Why don’t they go right to Freedom? Takairangi pikes her nose through and offloads but the pass is forwards and dropped.

Steelers hang on as Parra somehow lose a game they were in total control of.

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