The Parramatta Eels have caused a major upset defeating the previously undefeated South Sydney Rabbitohs 24-16 to claim the 2013 Harold Matthews Cup.
Parramatta secured their second consecutive Premiership with interchange forward Cameron Kings double proving the difference in a highly entertaining encounter.
In a fast and furious opening to the Grand Final, it was Parramatta who drew first blood with Sione Katoa crashing over on the back of a Michael Doolan cut out pass.
The Rabbitohs hit back immediately with Reimis Smith scoring a scintillating 60 metre try to score untouched under the posts, giving South Sydney the lead after 10 minutes.
Two quick fire Parramatta tries to Anthony Layoun and Ethan Fagaloa-Time swung the momentum back in the Eels favour with a 14-6 lead at half time.
The second half couldnt have started in worse fashion for South Sydney with a mistake from the kick-off granting the Eels possession inside the Rabbitohs red zone.
Cameron King produced a bullocking effort carrying four defenders across the line to make Souths pay for their mistake and extend the Eels lead to 12 points.
The Rabbitohs stormed back into the contest on the back of a number of strong charges from Gabriel Hamlin, and when Reimis Smith crossed for his second it was game on in the Grand Final.
The South Sydney faithful erupted when Johnathan Tufuga collected a chip-kick to ground the ball inches from the dead ball line for a try, and when Siosifa Talakai converted from the sideline it was 18-16 with only minutes remaining.
Parramatta sealed their victory when King barged over for his second try amid wild celebrations from the Eels players who were now Premiership winners for 2013.
On behalf of everyone at the South Sydney Rabbitohs, we would like to congratulate the under 16s Harold Matthews Cup team on their fantastic season throughout 2013.
Parramatta Eels 24
defeated
South Sydney Rabbitohs 16 (Reimis Smith 2, Johnathan Tufuga tries; Siosifa Talakai 2 goals)
The following players have been chosen to trial out for the NSW Under 16's side in the annual Possibles v Probables match this week.
The NSW Under 16's side will then be chosen to play Queensland Under 16's before Holden State of Origin Game One at ANZ Stadium on June 5.
Please note: Parramatta players have not been included in the squads because they will complete in the National Under 16's Final next Sunday at North Sydney Oval.
Time: 6pm
Location: Leichhardt Oval
Date: Tuesday 14 May
Pifeleti Pifeleti - Balmain Tigers
Nick Cotric - Canberra Raiders
Adam Keigharan - Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Patrick Kopu - Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Jaydon Okunbor - Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Latrell Mitchell - Central Coast Centurions
Daniel Peck - Central Coast Centurions
Lachlan Hughes - Cronulla Sharks
Daniel Vasquez - Cronulla Sharks
Blake Lawrie - Illawarra Steelers
Ryan King - Illawarra Steelers
Billy Bainbridge - Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Jessie Ramien - Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Ngangarra Barker- Newcastle Knights
Jack Cogger - Newcastle Knights
Jobey Ingram - Newcastle Knights
Brock Lamb - Newcastle Knights
Jarome Broadbridge - Penrith Panthers
Robbie Graham - Penrith Panthers
Reed Izzard - Penrith Panthers
Liam Murray - Penrith Panthers
Ethan Roberts - (QLD)
Jaiden Brown - South Sydney Rabbitohs
Nat Butcher - South Sydney Rabbitohs
Gabriel Hamlin - South Sydney Rabbitohs
Keeden Kelly - South Sydney Rabbitohs
John Neil - South Sydney Rabbitohs
Reimis Smith - South Sydney Rabbitohs
Siosifa Talakai - South Sydney Rabbitohs
Johnathan Tufuga - South Sydney Rabbitohs
Ben Cassell - St George Dragons
Ryan McCauley - St George Dragons
Kye Madden - Western Suburbs Magpies
David Wright - Western Suburbs Magpies
Harrison Coskerie - Western Suburbs Magpies
Ray Stone - Western Suburbs Magpies
Parramatta secured their second consecutive Premiership with interchange forward Cameron Kings double proving the difference in a highly entertaining encounter.
In a fast and furious opening to the Grand Final, it was Parramatta who drew first blood with Sione Katoa crashing over on the back of a Michael Doolan cut out pass.
The Rabbitohs hit back immediately with Reimis Smith scoring a scintillating 60 metre try to score untouched under the posts, giving South Sydney the lead after 10 minutes.
Two quick fire Parramatta tries to Anthony Layoun and Ethan Fagaloa-Time swung the momentum back in the Eels favour with a 14-6 lead at half time.
The second half couldnt have started in worse fashion for South Sydney with a mistake from the kick-off granting the Eels possession inside the Rabbitohs red zone.
Cameron King produced a bullocking effort carrying four defenders across the line to make Souths pay for their mistake and extend the Eels lead to 12 points.
The Rabbitohs stormed back into the contest on the back of a number of strong charges from Gabriel Hamlin, and when Reimis Smith crossed for his second it was game on in the Grand Final.
The South Sydney faithful erupted when Johnathan Tufuga collected a chip-kick to ground the ball inches from the dead ball line for a try, and when Siosifa Talakai converted from the sideline it was 18-16 with only minutes remaining.
Parramatta sealed their victory when King barged over for his second try amid wild celebrations from the Eels players who were now Premiership winners for 2013.
On behalf of everyone at the South Sydney Rabbitohs, we would like to congratulate the under 16s Harold Matthews Cup team on their fantastic season throughout 2013.
Parramatta Eels 24
defeated
South Sydney Rabbitohs 16 (Reimis Smith 2, Johnathan Tufuga tries; Siosifa Talakai 2 goals)
The following players have been chosen to trial out for the NSW Under 16's side in the annual Possibles v Probables match this week.
The NSW Under 16's side will then be chosen to play Queensland Under 16's before Holden State of Origin Game One at ANZ Stadium on June 5.
Please note: Parramatta players have not been included in the squads because they will complete in the National Under 16's Final next Sunday at North Sydney Oval.
Time: 6pm
Location: Leichhardt Oval
Date: Tuesday 14 May
Pifeleti Pifeleti - Balmain Tigers
Nick Cotric - Canberra Raiders
Adam Keigharan - Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Patrick Kopu - Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Jaydon Okunbor - Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Latrell Mitchell - Central Coast Centurions
Daniel Peck - Central Coast Centurions
Lachlan Hughes - Cronulla Sharks
Daniel Vasquez - Cronulla Sharks
Blake Lawrie - Illawarra Steelers
Ryan King - Illawarra Steelers
Billy Bainbridge - Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Jessie Ramien - Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Ngangarra Barker- Newcastle Knights
Jack Cogger - Newcastle Knights
Jobey Ingram - Newcastle Knights
Brock Lamb - Newcastle Knights
Jarome Broadbridge - Penrith Panthers
Robbie Graham - Penrith Panthers
Reed Izzard - Penrith Panthers
Liam Murray - Penrith Panthers
Ethan Roberts - (QLD)
Jaiden Brown - South Sydney Rabbitohs
Nat Butcher - South Sydney Rabbitohs
Gabriel Hamlin - South Sydney Rabbitohs
Keeden Kelly - South Sydney Rabbitohs
John Neil - South Sydney Rabbitohs
Reimis Smith - South Sydney Rabbitohs
Siosifa Talakai - South Sydney Rabbitohs
Johnathan Tufuga - South Sydney Rabbitohs
Ben Cassell - St George Dragons
Ryan McCauley - St George Dragons
Kye Madden - Western Suburbs Magpies
David Wright - Western Suburbs Magpies
Harrison Coskerie - Western Suburbs Magpies
Ray Stone - Western Suburbs Magpies
