It isn't raining yet but the weather is pretty depressing near Homebush. Hopefully the rain holds off for both grades but that might be a tad too optimistic.
Our Holden Cup team should be bolstered by the late additions of Fabian Goodall and Tepai Moeroa, who were missing in action during the NSW Cup fixture yesterday. Goodall will likely replace one of Levi Li or Tui Oloapu while Moeroa should come into the starting backrow to replace Jordan Muna, who will in turn drop back to the bench and force one of Tui Kamikamica or Jack Anderson out of the team.
The Dogs are struggling in 2014, running equal last (with the Titans) in the NYC with just two wins to their name. This should be a relatively simple win but with Ryan Matterson, Kaysa Pritchard, John Folau and Kelepi Tanginoa missing, this game could be closer than expected. With that said, our 20s have shown some reassuring grit over the last four games (for three wins) so I'll back them to take the win today.
Kickoff is at 12:45PM so stay tuned for updates from that point forwards.
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How's the whether now Forty20? Still suss?
final team sheet?
Parramatta receive the kick off and roll towards half way via simple ruck work. Dockar-Clay bombs it on the last and the Dogs' fullback takes it awkwardly but secures it nonetheless.
The Eels put together a good set of defence in return and the set culminates in the Dogs kicking the ball out on the full near halfway.
Moeroa takes throws the second man ball to Makelim who runs the wide angle. The Dgos are in two minds and Makelim decides to run and look for an optimistic offload to Goodall. Makelim loses control of the ball and the Dogs get a lucky break.
Canterbury scrum 20m from their goal line.
The Dogs work the ball down our left edge, with out too great an impact but a solid charge from their #10 on the fourth tackle carries them into our half for the first time today.
They stab the ball in over Goodall head on the last and the Parra winger lets it roll into touch.
Parra scrum 10m out from their goal line.
Parra come their right from the scrum win where Newbigging gets a risky offload away to Clay who just pulls it in. A strong charge from Tepu-Smith gets the Eels back on track and Daoud heaves it downfield from halfway on the last.
The Dogs struggle for metres early in their set but look to have numbers when they shift the ball to their left edge. Fortunately they are unable to link up on the outside and Parra kill the ball.
They bomb Makelim on the last and he loses the ball backwards on his goal line but is able to recover and bring it out to the 10m line.
Simple but effective set from Parra as they rumble the ball up the middle before Dockar-Clay directs the ball into touch.
Canterbury scrum 10m out from their goal line.
Parra are restricting the Dogs in defence once more but a penalty for a hand on the ball brings the Dogs into Parra's half.
The Dogs earn another fresh set when an offload picks up a touch from a Parra hand. They attack our left before coming back to our right but the Eels have good line speed and lock them down.
With nothing else working they roll the ball in goals but the kick is too deep and Parra come away with a 20m restart.
Daoud throws a nice inside ball to Markus to put him into half a gap but the lock gets trigger happy with his offload and throws the ball to a defender.
The Dogs turn the ball down their left edge and find some space but good hustle from Dockar-Clay brings the winger down. The home team then swings the ball to our left edge to bring up the last before they bomb it back to our right.
Messy contest from both teams but Parra get their first penalty of the game for an offside player from the contest. Lucky break.
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