The South Sydney Rabbitohs Jersey Flegg side have been defeated by the Parramatta Eels 31-18 at Ringrose Park on Sunday.
A makeshift side without halfback Blake Taaffe and hooker Josh Cook were out-enthused by a determined Parramatta. However, the side had plenty of chances to compete with their opponents only for error and discipline to cruel them.
And it wasn't an ideal start for the Red and Green, as the Eels scored two quick tries within the first fifteen minutes - both coming off kicks - to gain an early 12-nil lead.
The Rabbitohs squandered early chances, which included a late offload leading to the Eels' first try, and a lack of urgency seeing a grubber earning the opponents score their second.
More ill-discipline saw the Eels handed further possession, and soon after they crossed under the posts for their third try with less than a quarter of the match gone.
There was a glimmer of hope for the Red and Green, however, as an error from their opponents from the ensuing kick-off gifted them prime field position, but it was another chance gone begging as the ball was lost just three tackles into the set.
A contentious strip call went the way of the Eels, and just as it looked like they would extend their lead, the Red and Green defence set in motion to force an error.
The injection of livewire hooker Peter Mamouzelos saw the side get on the scoreboard five minutes before the break, with the young rake setting up his outside men to break through before diving over himself under the posts.
And the side looked to go over again as Mamouzelos broke through, with a deft kick from second rower Maila Aluni-Chanfoon seeing Zane Bijorac nearly score, only to be thrown into touch.
The momentum transitioned early in the second half, with plenty of quick play the balls and more comfortable play from the spine giving the Red and Green field position and scoring opportunities, but again, dropped ball saw the side's chances go begging.
That, coupled with the lack of urgency close to the line cost the side dearly, with the Eels scoring two quick tries to extend their lead to 30-6.
However, the Rabbitohs made a late surge, scoring through backrower Maila Aluni-Chanfoon and fullback James Tautaiolefua on the next set saw the side down just two converted tries with plenty of time still remaining.
But an inability to complete, as well as a field goal to the Eels three minutes from fulltime sealed the match, with the side's three-match winning streak coming to an end.
Parramatta Eels 31 (Haze Dunster 2, Kyle Schneider, Harry Duggan, Sione Fonua tries; Kyle Schneider 3, Bailey Biondi-Odo 2 goals; Bailey Biondi-Odo field goal)
def
South Sydney Rabbitohs 18 (Peter Mamouzelostries, Maila Aluni-Chanfoon, James Tautaiolefua; Lachlan Ilias 3 goals)
