Eels Holden Cup Team and junior reps thread, Part II

[Forty20]

A promising movement comes to a dissapointing end as Moeroa's offload goes astray. Great lead up work from ZDC.

NZ turn possession over immediately though and Parra attack down their left from the scrum win.

 

[Forty20]

Aloiai comes agonisingly close to scoring but holds himself back from a double movemnt attempt.

Parra come down the right hand short side next and Lavaka and Folau both get away desperate offloads that looked to have opened up space for a try but Folau has put his foot into touch.

NZ ruck it out to finish the half.

Half Time

Parra lead NZ 22-6

Really solid stuff from the 20's for the most part.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Defence sounds amazing, considering the usual standard of this comp.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

What's the crowd like so far?

 

[Forty20]

It was an unusually committed defensive effort Pou Pou. Certainly pleasant to see and hopefully it doesn't disappear either today or for the rest of the season.

 

[Forty20]

Solid pockets around the ground at the moment, which is alright considering it is the NYC fixture.

Second half will be underway shortly.

 

[Forty20]

Parra are receiving the ball in the second half.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

It was an unusually committed defensive effort Pou Pou. Certainly pleasant to see and hopefully it doesn't disappear either today or for the rest of the season.

Mate you just know we're not going to turn up in the second half and the final score will be about 30-all.

 

[Avenger]

Well done, mate. Great updates. How is Pauli and Izzy's bro playing ?

 

[Forty20]

Raeli takes the first run and is followed by Aukafolau.

Parra ruck their way into the NZ half and Lussick sends another kick skyward. This time it reaps dividends as the NZ fullback spills it into the welcoming arms of Tepai Moeroa who runs in a simple four pointer.

Davis adds the extras.

Parra lead NZ 28-6

Awesome start to the half.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Well done, mate. Great updates. How is Pauli and Izzy's bro playing ?

I forgot Pauli was even playing.

Hey 40, is Pauli on the left with Moeroa on the right?

 

[Forty20]

Pauli hasn't been fed as much ball as I would have expected Avenger but considering how well the rest of the pack is doing it isn't surprising. Similarly, Folau hasn't seen that much ball but he has been well marked in those limited opportunities.

As for the game.

Parra make big metres but Pauli turns the ball over in NZ's half before we give away a penalty.

NZ manage to score a scrappy try and someone puts put to a stray ball that is rolling on the ground. Their chaser beats Davis to the ball and they cross out wide.

The conversion is hit sweetly.

NZ trail Parra 12-28

47min gone.

 

[Maroubra Eel]

You merkins ask a lot of questions.

 

[Forty20]

I forgot Pauli was even playing.

Hey 40, is Pauli on the left with Moeroa on the right?

Correct.

Another penalty conceded by Parra now brings play to halfway for NZ.

 

[Forty20]

Good work from Aukafolau as he strings together consecutive tackles on our line.

NZ stab a kick into our ingoals and trap Davis inside to earn a repeat set. However, from Davis' dropout, the knock on and Parra will get a pressure relieving scrum on halfway.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

You merkins ask a lot of questions.

That's because I don't know much.

 

[Forty20]

Matterson runs the ball to our left edge from the scrum but is wrapped up after breaking a tackle.

Moeroa nearly splits the line with a strong run and Parra attack via Davis on the next play but the NZ defence jams well.

Lussick kicks on the last for Aukafolau but it is just too deep and NZ come back with a 20m restart (6 tackles only.)


Parra then concede another ruck penalty and NZ get a chance to attack our line. There is barnstorming run from the NZ #16 but he look to have pulled up short (right in front of my seat) but the ref points to the spot and calls for the try.

Bit miffed about that one but whatever.

The two point are added.

NZ trail Parra 18-28.

54min gone.

 

[Forty20]

Oh dear, compounding issues now as our boys kick out on the full from the restart of play.

NZ will start their set 30m out from our line.

Superb hit from Raeli and Aloiai as they belt the NZ runner and force a mistake.

Big play there considering the momentum in the game.

Parra throw caution to the wind from the scrum as Folau makes a strong run down the right. He looks to offload but he can;t link up cleanly with Lavaka and we turn the ball over. 50/50 call by Folau, we might have gone the length there if he found Lavaka.

NZ attack our right edge again with repeated attempts before they cross via a forward pass. The ref is on point though and we get the ball back.

On the acck now as Matterson make a lovely run, swerving and stepping through the sliding defence of the NZ right edge.

He is pulled down 10m from the try line and we earn a penalty. Play stops as I believe Matterson is receiving treatment.

 

[Forty20]

Matterson is walking off with the trainer. He ends up jogging the last 20m so it seems to be an upper body injury.

#captainobviousreportingin

 

[Forty20]

And we lose the ball in the first tackle.

NZ scrum 10m from their goal line.