All the best action from the NSWRL's major competitions.
Eels make statement at 4 Pines Park
The Parramatta Eels had a dominant 38-8 win over Manly Warringah Sea Eagles in their Round 21 Jersey Flegg Cup clash on Friday night.
The Eels had been tasked with playing must-win footy for the remainder of the season if they were any chance to make the top five finals – as well as have other results go their way – and the visitors certainly put on a show in the huge victory.
It was a struggle for momentum in the early stages, and it wasn’t until the 18th minute when the Eels broke the deadlock through winger Moala Graham-Taufa.
At that point Parramatta found their rhythm to score another two tries five minutes apart, this time through halfback Ethan Sanders and lock forward Brock Parker.
Trailing 14-0 at halftime the home side needed to be next to score, and they did just that when fullback and recent NRL debutant Kaeo Weekes found his way over the stripe four minutes into the second half.
That four-pointer would only become a minor hiccup for the visitors, who went on to score four more unanswered tries through Graham-Taufa for his second, front-rower Peter Taateo, Jacob Davis and fullback Dantoray Lui. Centre and captain Corey Fenning converted each of those to finish the evening with five from seven.
A consolation try from Sea Eagles outside back Fletcher Myers with 10 minutes remaining rounded out the 38-8 scoreline.
Click here for more Jersey Flegg Cup results.
Top five firming ahead of Massey and Shield finals
With the final round of the regular season almost run and done in the Ron Massey Cup and Sydney Shield, every ladder position is all but locked in ahead of the top five finals kicking off next weekend.
With the Ron Massey Cup top four already secured by Hills Bulls, Glebe Dirty Reds, St Marys Saints and Wentworthville Magpies, respectively, Saturday’s catch-up game between Mounties and Kaiviti Silktails would determine the final spot.
After a remarkable 26-all draw it was Mounties who came out on top at Mascot Oval.
In Sydney Shield, the St Marys Saints have taken out the minor premiership, followed by Hills Bulls, Ryde-Eastwood Hawks and Sydney Roosters.
With Penrith Brothers sitting just one competition point behind the fifth-placed Moorebank Rams, it’s a must-win clash for Brothers against the Hawks on Sunday to determine if they continue on in 2022.
