Parramatta Eels Holden Cup

[Forty20]

Big metres up for grabs in this set for the Raiders. They play the ball on the last 12m out from our line before spreading to our right edge where Hawkins simply cuts back inside against the sliding defence to go straight through. Makelim is coming across in cover defence but he is also sliding too much and is easily stepped.

Cornish adds the extras on this occasion.

Canberra lead 10-0

12m gone.

 

[Forty20]

Cornish shoots for a 40/20 but the ball spins backwards to pull up a few metres short.

Parra focus on rucking it up the middle early on before Makelim finds Moakiola with a long, loopy pass on the left edge. There isn't much space for Takai to work in and he takes the tackle.

On the last Daoud drills it down to the left corner where it is trapped on the goal line by the Canberra fullback.

 

[Forty20]

There is a good run by Ualesi! We then earn a penalty as the ref rules the ball to be stripped out by the defenders.

And now another penalty for a dangerous tackle on the restart!

Ualesi gets things restarted with another run and then looks to offload but it slips backwards through Vescio's hands and we scramble to regain the ball. Next play we DO lose the ball and Canberra get another 10m scrum.

17m gone.

 

[Forty20]

Lazy defence up the middle has cost us a try. We get caught standing off as Worboys throws a dummy and goes straight through.

He links up with support and Canberra cross for their third try of the day.

Parramatta are challenging the try.

 

[Jake the snake]

Wow hopeless

 

[Forty20]

The challenge is unsuccessful and we have no more challenges remaining for the first half.

Cornish converts from in front.

Canberra extend their lead to 16-0

19m gone.

 

[Forty20]

And now there is a chance for Parra as Canberra once again lose the ball on a kickoff set.

 

[Jake the snake]

Who's the coach of this mob. Should be sacked. Hopeless

 

[Forty20]

Poor options for Parra in that set...attacking a well defended short side and then spreading it with a mismanaged second man play. Frustrating to watch.

Daoud nearly salvages something with a grubber kick but it just rolls dead and Canberra get a 20m restart.

They proceed to march 80m down field and hoist the ball on the last but Makelim is able to defuse the ball.

Looking all too easy for Canberra at the moment.

 

[Jake the snake]

Pedestrian just like first grade

 

[Forty20]

There is some enterprising play! Starting with an offload from Ualesi we burst down there right edge with Vai Toutai who takes some tackling to bring down in the Raider's red zone.

The next tackle is final play but the kick to the left edge is awful and Tangira goes backwards to take it. He looks to pass to Moeakiola but it is intercepted by Reuben and we have to chase hard to bring him down near half way.

We hold for the rest of the set but Pauli Pauli loses it when we finally get the ball back!

Canberra scrum 20m out from our goal line.

 

[Forty20]

Phew! Cornish pokes his head through the defence off the scrum but he gets too adventurous as he looks he offload the ball. It travels forwards and Parra get a scrum on their 20m line.

 

[Forty20]

A much needed penalty now for Parra as the ref pings Canberra for holding Jordan Grant down in the ruck.

And there is a bull-dozing run from Pauli Pauli! He gets it 30m out from the Canberra try line and steam rolls his way through 5 or 6 defenders on his way to the tryline!

 

[Jake the snake]

Great try by Pauli

 

[Forty20]

Brasington raises the flags with his attempt.

Parra trail 6-16

27m gone.

 

[Stagger eel]

Great try by Pauli

The sleeping giant wakes up... He's due for another snooze now lol

 

[Forty20]

Unlucky there for Moeakiola.

Parra spread the ball to their left-edge and catch Canberra napping as Takai makes a half break. He is pulled down a good 5m from the sideline but with the awful conditions momentum carries him into touch near the halfway line.

From the changeover Canberra makes another mistake!

Parra scrum on half way.

 

[Forty20]

Good carry from Ualesi brings play to the Raider's 20m line. Off the next play we find Folau on the right but the Canberra defence is too strong as he looks to get on the outside and he is driven into touch.

 

[Forty20]

Hmmm, that looked a little bit complacent from Makelim.

Canberra ruck it out in their set for a gain of 40 odd metres before Cornish chips the ball into the corner. Makelim looked to be sauntering over in the expectation that the angle would take it dead but it pulls up and he gets trapped in goals.

I might be wrong but I feel Makelim could have done a lot more there.

The Raiders fail to make us pay for the repeat set as a loose pass is swept up by an on point Parra defender.

 

[Barry O'Speedwagon]

if someone could teach folau to get his body weight a bit lower.......