Just got back home from Neptune Park (right near Uranus Rd and Mars St - no joke) with the Harold Matts posting a 4 tries to 2 victory while the SG Ball narrowly went down 3 tries to 4.
The conditions were pretty ordinary and even though the sun did come out eventually it was a heavy track and the ball was greasy leading to plenty of turnovers throughout the two games.
We got off to a pretty ordinary start in the 16s when our #1 prop, Stefano Utoikamanu (younger brother of Filia) was jolted with a heavy shot up high with in the first few minutes of the game. Stefano was immediately assisted to the bench and sat out the game. Despite the setback our Harold Matts team showed plenty of grit and fought their way into the game after conceding first points via an intercept.
The backrow was immense in particular with Matt Doorey coming off the bench to lay on some audibly viscous hits. Our lock Ueliington Seve was busy around the ruck and showed a nice left foot step to get in behind the markers. Valance Harris was the other standout backrower on the day. Harris played big minutes, starting on the right edge before pushing into the middle. He got through a load of work on both sides of the ball and kept the quality of his work up despite visible fatigue.
Other players that caught my eye include the interchange hooker Luke Sommerton who had a couple of outstanding darts out of dummy half in the second half while the fullback John-Paul Nohra recovered from an early error to pump out a ton of red zone ruck work. Not the prettiest stuff but it was what the team required.
I couldn't figure out who it was but the #3 for the Eels (left centre) also played a really nice game. Scored two tries and was a handful despite the heavy track.
The SG Ball started off awfully for Parra as we turned the ball over time after time. The Dogs raced out to a three try lead largely thanks for us gifting them possession in our red zone before we finally started completing sets and clawing our way back into the game.
Like the Matts game, we lost a player within the first few minutes as our hooker Vea Tapa quickly departed from the field (not sure on the reason, no visible tells) while our wrecking ball centre Tui Afualo got a nasty gash above his left eye and missed out on roughly half the game getting stitches and a fresh kit on.
Once we got the soft turnovers out of the system the SG Ball squad looked good. Fitness levels seemed really high as they were able to intentionally lift the intensity of the defensive line deep into the second half.
Oregon Kaufusi (if I am not mistaken) was really strong in the #10 for us. Hammered away up the middle all day despite some stinging defence from the Dogs in the first half. Michael Tupou and Benny Valu brought good energy off the bench with the latter scoring a good try that involved him stepping past the fullback.
Noel Auckfolau and especially Nick Okladnikov had strong games after getting time in the centres in the second half while Tui Afualo continues to carve a place in my heart as my favourite junior at the club. Returning to the field with stitches and a bandage over his eye he pushed into the role of left half. He laid out a Canterbury player with a typically brutal hit and show plenty of savviness with his pass selection to do the hardwork for a couple of would-be tries if the next pass wide found its target.
Josh Curran, Travis Turnbull and Steve Dresler all got their first runs of the year and used them to shake out the rust. I knew what to expect from the first two given they were two of our best performers in the Harold Matts last year but Dresler did very well in his sole stint late in the game.
Rd.1 of the District Reps is in two weeks with the Eels travelling to the Central Coast. Given that there are also NYC and NSW Cup trials on in Newcastle later that day I am thinking of heading out and covering the 4 games between live updates and/or live stream.
