PARRAMATTA EELS
GAME 1
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
18
Friday, 12th of March 1999
8
Tries
Referee : Bill Harrigan
Tries
D Wagon
Venue : Marathon Stadium
S Conley
S Kelly
Crowd : 23,202
M Tookey
Half Time : 4-0 Parramatta
Man of the Match : Stuart Kelly
Injuries : Jason Smith (Torn muscle), S Conley (Concussion)
Goals
Goals
C Schifcoske 3/4
A Johns 2/3
COMMENTS : This was always going to be a great game, and for the first half it was very tough and close with Newcastle holding out repeated attacks on their line. Parramatta definitely had the upper hand for the majority of the game, although the Knights led for a period in the beginning of the second half. However once Stuart Kelly burst around the defence on the blind side from a scrum to score a run away try, and Schifcoske converted, the Eels never looked like throwing this game away. The best for the Eels was Kelly, Burt and Dymock, while for the Knights, Matthew Johns and Glenn Grief had good games. This win was paved by the defence of Parramatta and in shutting down the Johns boys, they shut down the rest of the team. It is even more impressive because Jason Smith was injured for 70 minutes of the game. The Eels look to be in superb form for the start of the season.

NORTH SYDNEY BEARS
GAME 2
AUCKLAND WARRIORS
22
Saturday, 13th of March 1999
18
Tries
Referee : Sean Hampstead
Tries
M Buettner 2
Venue : Ericsson Stadium
S Jones
J Goddard
Crowd : 20,268
J Galuvao
Half Time : 8-8
L Swann
Goals
Goals
J Taylor 5/6
M Ridge 3/3
   
G Ngamu 0/1
COMMENTS : Auckland attempted to continue their form from the first round, but were out attacked by the Bears. Muir, Ikin and Goddard were stand outs for the Bears as the Warriors collapsed, who were not helped by an injury to Matthew Ridge. All in all, Norths looked good and will certainly be buoyed by some great tried to Michael Buettner. As usual Taylor kicked well and his 5 from 6 definitely helped the Bears over the line.

BALMAIN TIGERS
GAME 3
MELBOURNE STORM
16
Saturday, 13th of March 1999
6
Tries
Referee : Paul Simpkins
Tries
J Carlow
Venue : Leichhardt Oval
P Bell
B Duckworth
Crowd : 8,248
  
B Smith
Half Time : 4-0 Balmain
  
Goals
  
Goals
J Caine 2/4
  
M Geyer 1/2
COMMENTS : Well, who would have guessed? The Tigers were flogged last week without scoring a point and then they come out and deal the Storm a punishing blow. Their spirit was high for this game as they frustrated the Storm all night with their surging attack.The Best for the Tigers was Senter, Nable and Walker.

PENRITH PANTHERS
GAME 4
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
30
Saturday, 13th of March 1999
2
Tries
Referee : Mogsheen Jadwat
Tries
P Jorgenson 2
Venue : Penrith Football Stadium
 
G Alexander
Crowd : 8,019
  
G Hicks
Half Time : 16-2 Penrith
  
D MacGillivray
    
   
Goals
  
Goals
R Girdler 5/7
  
G Bourke 1/1
COMMENTS : Greg Alexander add the spark that Penrith needed as they ran away with this game in a polished performance. Tim Sheens & North Queensland look like having a long season ahead unless they can cut down on their handling errors (Although it was raining).

CANTERBURY BULLDOGS
GAME 5
ST.GEORGE-ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
24
Sunday, 14th of March 1999
18
Tries
Referee : Tim Mander
Tries
D Halligan
Venue : Kogarah Oval
J Ainscough 2
B Ward
Crowd : 13,497
A Mundine
W Talau
Half Time : 14-12 Canterbury
  
   
   
Goals
  
Goals
D Halligan 6/6
  
W Bartrim 2/4
   
G Mackay 1/1
COMMENTS : Canterbury bounced back from their drubbing to Souths to score a classy win. St. George were looking to have gelled as a team, but Canterbury's rallying late in the second half once again won them the game. Barry Ward had a blinder, while Halligan's perfect record once again helped Canterbury across the line. Will he ever miss?? The Dragons have yet to show the fans their potential, and will need to do it soon!

SYDNEY CITY ROOSTERS
GAME 6
MANLY SEA-EAGLES
46
Sunday, 14th of March 1999
0
Tries
Referee : Paul McBlane
Tries
R Miles 2
Venue : Sydney Football Stadium
 
R Barnett 2
Crowd : 9,128
  
L Ricketson
Half Time : 24-0 Sydney City
 
A Walker
    
M Sing
    
J Elsegood
    
Goals
  
Goals
A Walker 5/7
  
C Kimmorley 2/2
    
COMMENTS : Manly played bad. What else can be said? Fittler just romped through the lack lustre Sea-Eagles defence to help the Roosters score their easiest win in ages. Manly defence was continually broken by the likes of Walker, Fittler and Sing. Fulton and his team have some definite soul searching to do!

CRONULLA SHARKS
GAME 7
BRISBANE BRONCOS
14
Sunday, 14th of March 1999
6
Tries
Referee : Steven Clark
Tries
D Peachey
Venue : ANZ Stadium
S Webcke
P Donghey
Crowd : 16.460
Half Time : 8-6 Cronulla
Goals
Goals
M Rogers 3/4
D Lockyer 1/1
COMMENTS : Brisbane have lost their first 2 games of the season and Cronulla were on fire in this game, scoring a brilliant defensive victory. 6 is the lowest score they have ever scored at ANZ Stadium and they will need to improve to get the crowds back. 16,000 is disappointing for a one team town like Brisbane (Canberra can get more with a smaller population) The cruise control that Brisbane have been on for the last few years is broken and they will now have to do some actual work to retain their 'unbeatable' status. Can I change my top 8 picks now?

SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
GAME 8
CANBERRA RAIDERS
21
Monday, 15th of March 1999
14
Tries
Referee : Brian Grant
Tries
S Garlick
Venue : Sydney Football Stadium
B Kennedy
A Dunemann
Crowd : 19,500
D Furner
D Trindall
Half Time : 10-4 Souths
B Pearson
Sin Bin : D Trindall, S Garlick (Souths), S Woolford (Canberra)
 
Goals
Goals
D Trindall 4/5 (1 FG)
D Furner 1/4
COMMENTS : From all reports, this game was of very high quality. What does this say? Well first of all, it says that Souths are going to go a long way in 99! They have just beaten the team that beat the reigning premiers last week! And they did it easily. Souths did it in the forwards. Carroll, Schloss and Trindall all had big games, while Woolford, McLinden and Vainakolo had disappointing games for the Raiders. Souths have now had a dream start to their 99 campaign, and they look like they really might make a go of it.