Junior Reps Wrap: SG Ball & Harold Matts off to flying start

The Eels powered to a 34-6 win over the Warriors in their Harold Matthews Cup season-opener at Eric Tweedale Stadium on Sunday.

Though it was not reflected in the final score, the Eels were forced to work hard against a spirited Warriors team playing their first ever match in the competition.

Centre Andes Johansson scored early for the Eels, charging over for a try from a quick penalty tap. The Warriors were quick to respond, scoring from a downtown penalty moments later.

A scintillating piece of play by fullback Cyrus Bloomfield put Parramatta back in front, as he dashed 40 metres from a scrum to score in the left corner.

The Eels then extended their lead through a barnstorming try by prop forward Ocean Vaivela.

Michael Nauer was next to score, as he charged onto halfback Lincoln Fletcher's flat pass and completed a powerful run to the try line.

Samuel Polley put the result beyond any doubt when he won the race to a well-weighted kick to the in-goal.

Lorima Rokasuka placed the icing on the cake in the closing minutes, finishing acrobatically in the corner after some neat work by Cyrus Bloomfield in the lead-up.

Eels 32 (Tries: Johanssen, Bloomfield, Vaivela, Nauer, Polley, Rokosuka; Goals: Fletcher 5) defeated Warriors 6.

SG Ball Cup

The Eels came from behind against the Warriors to kickstart the Club's SG Ball Cup title defence with a win.

The team, featuring several graduates from last year's Harold Matthews squad, showed great composure as they scored three unanswered tries to down the Warriors by 32-20.

Dominic Farrugia sealed victory with a try in the final minute of play, adding to his impressive six goals.

Mohamed Alameddine burrowed over for the opening try in the corner, before Dominic Farrugia kicked a booming sideline conversion and then a penalty goal to put the Eels ahead by eight.

The Warriors roared to life midway through the match, scoring three consecutive tries to take an eight-point lead of their own early in the second half.

Eels five-eighth Lorenzo Talataina showcased his footwork and agility to beat several defenders and score an impressive solo try, closing the margin to two points.

The visitors reasserted their authority by punishing an Eels error to score a fourth try and take a 20-14 lead with 20 minutes remaining.

However the Eels' response was swift and decisive, as they switched into gear and snatched victory with a late surge.

Mohammed Alameddine scored his second try to kickstart the Eels' comeback, on the back of a neat link-up by Jezaiah Funa-Iuta and Dylan Brettle. Dominic Farrugia equalised with another cool conversion.

The Eels then stormed into the lead when Sebastian Piakula rampaged through the ruck and planted the ball down next to the posts.

With just six points separating the teams heading into the closing stages, the match still hung in the balance.

That was until the final minute of play, as Tyrese Lokeni's brilliant offload opened a passage for Farrugia to cross in the corner for a match-sealing try.

Eels 32 (Tries: Alameddine 2, Talataina, Piakula, Farrugia; Goals: Farrugia 6) defeated Warriors 20.

Tarsha Gale Cup

The Eels paid for poor set completion in a disappointing loss to the Bulldogs in Round 1 of the Tarsha Gale Cup at Belmore Oval.

The Eels were unable to convert a number of promising attacking raids in the first half, whilst the Bulldogs crossed for three tries to set up a 16-point lead at the break.

The hosts scored another two before the Eels jagged their first.

Caitlin Peadon scored the Eels' first try of 2024, as she linked with Raphaella Perigo to cross in the left corner.

The impressive Bulldogs side added a sixth and final try late on to complete their dominant victory.

Bulldogs 32 defeated Eels 4 (Try: Peadon).

Lisa Fiaola Cup

The Bulldogs showed their class in a convincing win over the Eels in their Lisa Fiaola Cup season-opener.

Nikita E was a shining light for Parramatta, scoring a pair of terrific, long-range tries from the left wing.

The two sides went set-for-set in the opening stages, before the Bulldogs broke the deadlock with back-to-back tries.

The Eels responded on the back of a powerful yardage surge by right winger Freedom Crichton Ropati. With the Bulldogs defence backpedaling, a rapid shift to the left edge put Danielle Seckold into space and she linked up beautifully with left winger Nikita E, who sprinted 45 metres untouched for a sensational try.

Beginning the second half at 12-4, the match was wide open.

However the Bulldogs took control with their power game in full force, and ran in four consecutive tries to put the match beyond Parramatta's reach.

Although the Bulldogs won comfortably, it was Eels winger Nikita E who produced the play of the day in a 90-metre solo effort. Fielding a grubber kick inside her own 10-metre line, she beat the Bulldogs chasers and hit top gear to race away for her second try of the day.

The Bulldogs had the final say with another try to wrap up their resounding win.

Bulldogs 36 defeated Eels 10 (Tries: Nikita E 2; Goal: Ma-Chong).