Senior Pathways Wrap Round 3: Silktails Claim Famous Win

By Stewart Moses, NSWRL.com

The Parramatta Eels maintain their unbeaten start to The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup season with a 23-16 win over Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, played in greasy conditions at CommBank Stadium.

The Eels' win was built on a strong first-half performance that saw the home side lead 12-0 at the break and 18-0 early in the second half.

But the Bulldogs showed great tenacity in getting back into the game, trailing 22-16 late in the second half before a Ronald Volkman field goal in the dying minutes finally put the win out of reach.

With the game played in wet and slippery conditions early on, both sides struggled to acclimatise. But it was the Eels who broke the deadlock after 26 minutes when fullback Joash Papalii cut back inside with a right foot step to evade defenders and score next to the posts against his former side (6-0).

The Eels doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time when hooker Brendan Hands' kick from dummy half deflected into the in-goal and interchange forward Saxon Pryke was first on hand to ground the loose ball.

Ill discipline from the Bulldogs in the opening set of the second half was duly punished when the Eels scored in the 42nd minute through Papalii turning provider - this time making the line-break from 25m out before providing the perfect pass for his winger Sean Russell to cross over in the south-east corner (18-0).

However an error from the kick-off from the Eels enabled the Bulldogs to finally open their account, when a quick shift right created the numbers for winger Jonathan Sua to score in the north-east corner to trail 18-6 following the successful sideline conversion from fullback Blake Taaffe.

Another Bulldogs error was the catalyst for the Eels to again extend their lead beyond two converted tries, when a quick shift right deep inside the Bulldogs 20-metre zone resulted in centre Bailey Simonssen providing a late off-load for his winger Haze Dunster to dive over from close range (22-6).

A long-range line-break from centre Danny Gabrael allowed the Bulldogs to score from the next play in the 65th minute, when quick hands allowed halfback Cassius Tia to provide a deft pass for interchange forward Fahmy Toilalo to storm through a yawning gap. The gap was reduced to 12 (22-10).

The Bulldogs were right back in the game when a last tackle penalty inside the Eels 20-metre line was duly capitalised upon, with Tia slicing through to put the visitors to within a converted try, with nine minutes remaining.

However, the Bulldogs late comeback was quashed with key errors providing the Eels with the opportunity to score one last time, which they did in the 77th minute when Volkman nailed a simple field goal attempt from 15 metres out, right in front.

Talking Points

• Plenty of players enjoyed high-quality games with the Eels best being Volkman, Hands, Dunster, Simonssen, Charlie Guymer and Russell, while the Bulldogs had the likes of Taaffe, Drew Hutchinson, Tom Amone and Zyon Maiu'u.
• Former Bulldogs Joash Papalii and Kelma Tuilagi played big roles against their old club to get the Eels win.
• Bulldogs centre Luke Smith was placed on report for a high tackle midway through the first half.

Key Moment

Volkman was dropped from the Eels NRL side but provided the one-point field goal to put any ideas of a last-gasp try by the Bulldogs to bed. 

What's Next?

The Bulldogs having suffered two early season losses will be looking to regroup when they head to Henson Park next Saturday to take on the defending premiers, the Newtown Jets, while next Sunday the Eels will be looking for three wins in a row when they travel to 4 Pines Park to face Manly Warringah Sea Eagles.

Jersey Flegg Cup: Bulldogs 6 def by Eels 20, Silktails 23 def Dragons 22

A landmark victory on Saturday at Churchill Park saw the Kaiviti Silktails claim their first victory in the Jersey Flegg Cup with a thrilling 23-22 win over the St George Illawarra Dragons. 

A first half hat-trick to winger Mikaele Senibua gave the side a 16-6 lead at the break, with the Dragons scoring right on the stroke of half-time.

Their opponents continued their momentum to overtake them with just 20 minutes remaining, however the never-say-die attitude of the Silktails shone through, with a try to Adrea Ramabuke in the 70th minute reclaiming the lead.

With seven minutes on the clock, the Dragons struck back to level the scores, but it was lock Melikiseteki Macaginimasei who stepped up to the plate, kicking a field goal to seal the match and stamping a famous moment for the fledgling club.

Meanwhile in Cabramatta, it was a tough outing for the Bulldogs' Jersey Flegg Cup side, downed 20-6 against the Parramatta Eels at New Era Stadium.

It was a slow start for the Bulldogs with the home side scoring first, with a second try after 24 minutes giving the Eels a ten-point lead at the break.

A trademark try to flying winger Jordi Mazzone closed the gap with less than half an hour remaining, however, Parramatta replied just moments later with another four-pointer. 

Down to twelve men, the Bulldogs fought hard but ultimately another Eels try in the dying stages sealed the result. 

The Bulldogs Jersey Flegg Cup side will take on the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks at Sharks Stadium prior to the NRL match on Saturday afternoon. 

Ron Massey Cup: Bulldogs 24 def by Cabramatta 44

The Ron Massey Cup side were unable to claim victory at New Era Stadium in Cabramatta, downed 44-24 on Saturday. 

It was a back and forth match in the opening stages with three tries in the opening 20 minutes, before the home side stretched the lead to 22-6 at the break.

The Two Blues continued with three quick tries upon resumption, and while the Bulldogs struck twice late with tries to Mac Puafisi and Taj Hughes, it wasn't enough to claim the two competition points.

The Bulldogs host Mounties in Round 3 on Saturday at Hammondville Oval.