Match Centre

And the Eels have done it! Some incredible defence in the last ten minutes has seen the Eels cling to a narrow margin, and defeat the Dragons 16-12.

Parramatta Eels 16-12

Widdop runs down the right edge, but his pass is a shocker, and the ball goes out over the sideline.

Parramatta Eels 16-12

Eto Nabuli launches himself into the defensive line, trying to spark something for his side.

Parramatta Eels 16-12

Marshall attempts some magic on the last, but his long pass goes out over the sideline.

Parramatta Eels 16-12

Less than three minutes left, and the Dragons need a converted try to win the game.

Parramatta Eels 16-12

The Eels' defence manages to hold on, successfully keeping the Dragons out for three sets in a row.

Parramatta Eels 16-12

The ball gets sent left, and Mata'utia looks a sure thing to score, but the Eels defence is amazing.

Parramatta Eels 16-12

The Dragons get a repeat set, and will attack from within the Eels' ten metre zone.

Parramatta Eels 16-12

The Eels are penalised again, this time for carrying an Dragons' player out over the sideline. That could prove to be a crucial penalty.

Parramatta Eels 16-12

Yet another penalty inside the Dragons' red zone. That's the 8th time the Dragons have been helped out of their own half by the Eels' poor discipline.

Parramatta Eels 16-12

The Eels kick high on the last, but there's no pressure or kick chase to speak of.

Parramatta Eels 16-12

The Eels on attack now. The play has opened up a lot in the past 5 minutes.

Parramatta Eels 16-12

Josh Dugan makes a big break down the right side of the field, before being dragged down.

Parramatta Eels 16-8

Benhi Marshall grubbers in behind the line, regathers, and finds himself in some open space. The defenders get to him, and he throws a reverse flick backwards looking for his support, but the ball travels forward.

Parramatta Eels 16-8

Two plays after the resulting scrum, the Eels get a penalty for a dangerous tackle.

Parramatta Eels 12-8

And it's NO TRY! Euan Aitken can't believe it. The video referee didn't have sufficient evidence to overturn the on field referee's adjudication that the ball had traveled forward.

Parramatta Eels 12-8

We're now going to the video referee again, this time for a possible Dragons' try. The Dragons kick to the right edge, and Dylan Farrell bats it into the field of play for Euan Aitken to scoop it up and dive over the line. The sideline official thinks the ball has gone forward from the bat back.

Parramatta Eels 12-8

The Dragons work their way down field, before Benji Marshall grubbers into the in goal. Both Corey Norman and Josh Dugan chase it, but it dribbles over the dead ball line. The referee directs the Eels to a line dropout, despite Corey Norman's protests that he didn't touch the ball.

Parramatta Eels 12-8

Josh Dugan puts on a big right foot step, and Pauli Pauli throws a lazy arm out and clips him high. The Dragons get the penalty.

Parramatta Eels 12-8

And now it's the Eels turn to get a penalty within their own half, as the Dragons all line up offside.

Parramatta Eels 12-8

The Dragons are working the left side of the field heavily at the moment, with both playmakers and Josh Dugan all camped out to the left. On the last, the Dragons kick, but Sandow gets a boot to it and kicks it forward. He then kicks it twice more, before the Dragons get back to dive on the loose ball. They'll get another set, but they've lost almost 60 metres.

Parramatta Eels 12-8

The Dragons try to spread the ball, but the Eels knock it down. The Dragons will get a scrum feed 40 metres out from the Eels' line.

Parramatta Eels 12-8

On the last, the Dragons send the ball out to the left, opting to run instead of kick, and look to have scored. Unfortunately the last pass from Benji Marshall was forward, and it's a turn over.

Parramatta Eels 12-8

A good set from the Eels after the try, but they ruin it in the next set with a penalty early in the Dragons' next set. Yet another piggy back.

Parramatta Eels 12-8

Wow! Semi obviously isn't feeling too many effects after that hit! He looks to have just scored his second try! We're going to the video referee, but we're just checking the grounding and a possible obstruction.

St. George Illawarra Dragons 8-6

Semi Radradra is tackled heavily, and looks to have hit got his head caught in an awkward position. He's on his feet, but he looks a little dusty.

St. George Illawarra Dragons 8-6

We're back underway in the second half.

St. George Illawarra Dragons 8-6

And that's half time. After two tries in the first four minutes, we haven't seen a single try since. The Dragons head to the break leading by two points, thanks to a penalty goal from Widdop in the 31st minute, but the Eels definitely aren't out of the race. Discipline and handling has been an issue for both sides so far in this match.

St. George Illawarra Dragons 8-6

Big deflection from the Dragons' kick on the last. It runs down field towards the Dragons' line, but Widdop cleans it up and flicks it on to Dugan.

St. George Illawarra Dragons 8-6

Wasn't to be. The Eels absolutely wasted that opportunity, losing the ball after only two tackles, and the Dragons will work the ball away from their line.

St. George Illawarra Dragons 8-6

A few plays later, Morgan sprints down the right side of the field, but is taken down... just. On the last, the Eels kick high looking for Semi Radradra. Takairangi jumps and pulls the ball back down but it goes loose. Benji Marshall goes for the ball, but knocks it on, so the Eels will get a new set heavily on attack.

St. George Illawarra Dragons 8-6

It's NO TRY. The referees have agreed that Thompson has prevented the try, despite Kelly getting up carrying on like he had scored.

St. George Illawarra Dragons 8-6

And on the very next play, Luke Kelly kicks a grubbed, which ricochets off Merrin's legs back to Kelly. He then throws a dummy and then heads for the tryline. Joel Thompson looks to have done a brilliant job of getting under the ball, so the video referee has sent it upstairs for a closer look.

St. George Illawarra Dragons 8-6

The Eels send the ball out to the right, and Ryan Morgan opts to take on 5 defenders at once. He almost gets there, but is pulled down just short.

St. George Illawarra Dragons 8-6

The Eels are starting to look tired now, while the Dragons are looking lifted by their recent string of possession.

St. George Illawarra Dragons 8-6

Never mind. They've opted for the penalty goal.

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The Dragons seem to have a bit of a spring in their step now. Garvey has another crack himself, and is collared high in a careless tackle. They'll get a new set with which to attack the Eels.

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The Dragons have forced the Eels into a line drop out.

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On the last, Craig Garvey dummied and went himself of dummy half, and it was only a desperate tackle from Tepai Moeroa that prevented him scoring a try just under the posts.

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The Eels are penalised now, this time for being inside the ten. That's the third penalty of the day that has piggy-backed the Dragons out of trouble.

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Marshall has changed tactic now, bombing Corey Norman on the last. Norman is up to the task.

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And now Dylan Farrell flogs Corey Norman into the ground, and Norman loses the ball. Big let off for the Dragons.

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The Eels kick short on the last, and Gareth Widdop plays at the ball and sends it over the sideline. Parramatta will get a scrum feed from 15 metres out.

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Mike Cooper tried an offload that really wasn't necessary there, and Heath L'Estrange pays the price, knocking the ball on.

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But Ryan Morgan is penalised, and the Dragons improve their field position after kicking for touch.

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The Eels traveled 100 metres on that set, with the Dragons forced to bring the ball out from their own end.

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Marshall's kicking game has been on song so far in this game. He's put two kicks in that either led to tries or big opportunities, and his last kick forced Semi Radradra to play the ball from deep in his own in-goal.

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Play travelling back and forward down the field a little more freely now.

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But Widdop has knocked the ball on two plays later. He took a look before he had the ball in his hands, and the Eels will get yet another set started in the Dragons' half.

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The Eels kick for the corner on the last, but Dylan Farrell cleans it up, diving over the line to get back in the field of play. On the next play the Dragons get a penalty, and help themselves to another 20 metres.

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Nope - NO TRY. Chris Sandow milked that heavily - taking a massive dive after being taken out by a Dragons runner. The Eels get a penalty.

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The Dragons look to have scored, and we're going to the video referee. The on field referee thinks it's a no try, and just wants to check a possible obstruction.

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Anthony Watmough and Ben Creagh showing a little bit of heat now. Watmough came in late into the tackle and gave Creagh a bit of unnecessary attention around his head. Watmough is on report for the contact.

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The Eels attempt a play down the left edge this time, but the Dragons defence push Luke Kelly out over the sideline.

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The Eels send the ball down the right side of the field. Hopoate put Morgan in a little bit of space down the right edge, but he steps on the white sideline.

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On the Eels first set after the try, the Dragons are penalised, and the Eels get piggy backed down field.

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The Dragons have lost the ball in the first set after the try. Great opportunity for the Eels.

St. George Illawarra Dragons 6-0

And the Dragons have possibly scored on their first set! We're just checking the grounding, but a brilliant kick from Benji Marshall on the fourth catches the Eels napping, and the Dragons look to have scored on the right side of the field.

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Sandow kicks on the last, and it's a particularly shallow kick. The Dragons start their set from 30 out from their own line.

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And we're underway The Dragons kick off and Tim Mannah takes the first carry.

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Just a minute away from kick off. The Dragons take the field at Pirtek Stadium to a chorus of boos. The Eels reception is much warmer, as was to be expected.

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Welcome to Pirtek Stadium this evening for what is shaping up to be an exciting clash between the Eels and the Dragons.

Some big changes for the St George Illawarra Dragons. Second rower Joel Thompson will play, after overcoming a knee injury. His inclusion pushes Will Matthews to the interchange bench. Jason Nightingale is out with an ankle injury, replaced by Eto Nabuli. Heath L'Estrange will start at hooker, replacing the suspended Mitch Rein. Craig Garvey will also take a spot on the bench to replace Jack de Belin, who was ruled out with an infection.

In a boost for the Eels, Anthony Watmough is a late inclusion, and will start the game. This sends Danny Wicks back to the bench, with Daniel Alvaro the man to drop off the interchange.

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