http://www.smh.com.au/news/Sport/Young-Eels-beat-Storm-in-NRL-trial/2006/02/18/1140151850791.html
Young Eels beat Storm in NRL trial
February 18, 2006 - 9:44PM
Parramatta turned the tables on Melbourne with a 30-24 NRL trial win at Exies Oval in Griffith.
Having lost last week's opening trial match between the two sides in Ballina, the Eels jumped out to an early 16-0 lead and withstood a Storm fightback late in the match.
Both sides trotted out mostly lower grade outfits, with Greg Inglis and Brett White the only first grade regulars to play for the Storm.
Joel Reddy and Kris Inu scored two tries apiece for the Eels, for whom Matt Petersen and Brendan Oake also scored four-pointers.
The Storm managed to draw level 24-24 at three quarter time, but Oake's late try proved the difference in front of 6,831 fans.
Inglis nabbed a try and four goals to be the standout performer for the Storm.
Kiwi duo Jeremy Smith and Marcus Perenara impressed for the Eels, with Smith deputising at halfback for namesake Tim Smith.
Perenara was solid at hooker and may give Eels coach Brian Smith another option should regular rake Mark Riddell not overcome his ankle injury in time for the club's opening round clash against Newcastle on March 11.
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http://www.smh.com.au/news/Sport/Ross-stars-on-debut-at-Sharks-NRL-trial/2006/02/18/1140151850708.html
Ross stars on debut at Sharks NRL trial
Cronulla fans may not miss retired prop Jason Stevens as much as first thought after new recruit Ben Ross put in a promising performance in the Sharks 34-30 NRL trial win over the Bulldogs at Mollymook on the NSW south coast. Both sides scored six tries apiece in their first hit out of the season but the boot of Sharks winger Luke Covell proved the difference as he landed five goals from six attempts.
There were fears the Sharks would be a little light up front this season following the retirement of Stevens and the departure of Danny Nutley to English club Castleford, but former Penrith prop Ross laid those fears to bed, carting the ball 10 times for good gains in the opening 20 minutes.
Another to impress in his first game in a Sharks jersey was former Newcastle flyer Darren Albert, who scored with his first touch of the ball from a Brett Kimmorley kick early in the first quarter as Cronulla opened up a 16-0 lead.
The Bulldogs, minus many of their big names such as Willie Mason, Willie Tonga, Hazem El Masri and Sonny Bill Williams, started slowly but came back into the match, mainly through the efforts of halfback Brent Sherwin.
The creative No.7, who had a disappointing 2005 campaign, engineered four of the Bulldogs six tries through deft kicks, with rookie winger Namila Davui the main beneficiary grabbing three tries.
Daniel Holdsworth, the man entrusted with replacing NSW five-eighth Braith Anasta in the Bulldogs No.6 jersey had a solid debut, while young forward Nate Myles again showed he was worthy of a spot even when the stars returned for the 2004 premiers.
Former Dragons favourite son Lance Thompson had a quiet start for the Sharks, with his cause not helped by a corked leg in the opening minutes.
Neither side reported any major injury concerns, with both to play their second and final trial matches next weekend.
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