Watch live: Cross-code young gun to star in Eels v Bulldogs Harold Mats Cup clash

The Eels had fallen two tries behind midway through the first half but managed to claw their way back to a 20-12 victory over the Bulldogs. WATCH THE REPLAY.

Parramatta have made a stirring second-half comeback to pick up their first win of the season with a 20-12 victory over the Canterbury Bulldogs in the Harold Matthews Cup.

The Eels trailed 12-0 at half time before running in four unanswered second half tries to win by eight points at New Era Stadium.

Bulldogs big boy Fanfou Seve barged over for the first two tries of the match inside the opening 15 minutes with five-eight Mitch Woods making light work in adding the extras.

WATCH THE REPLAY IN THE PLAYER ABOVE.

The Dogs’ 12-point lead at the break was cut in half seven minutes into the second period with Parrametta centre Fagalele Fagelele crossing over for a try.

The Bulldogs lost a man when winger Julius Mautama-Latu was sent to the sin bin for sparking a scuffle and Parramatta took full advantage with Michael Gabrael scoring in the 48th minute of a Matt Arthur grubber.

The Eels backed it up from the kick off with a stunning team try with Luke Maroun finishing off an awesome piece of ad lib footy.

The home side rounded out the win with the fourth try of the afternoon through big front rower Sam Tuivaita who smashed through the defence from close range.

Mohamed Alameddine had a mixed day with the boot, kicking two from four, but the Parramatta youngsters had done enough to win 20-12.

The Eels will take on Western Suburbs at Kirkham Oval in Canberra next weekend, while the Bulldogs will be looking to get back into the winners’ circle when they return to Belmore to play Balmain with the match to be live streamed exclusively on The Daily Telegraph website.

The live stream is a part of a season-long deal to bring you the match of the round in each junior grade.

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MATCH PREVIEW

There will be time for the code wars later, but for now Parramatta young gun Tyrese Lokeni is just keen to get on playing footy and following in the footsteps of Will Penisini.

Tyrese was a part of the Eels’ Harold Matthews Cup squad in 2021 and will return to the field for Saturday’s round 2 clash with the Bulldogs at New Era Stadium in Cabramatta.

The match will be live streamed exclusively on The Daily Telegraph website as part of a season-long deal to bring you the match of the round in each junior grade.

WATCH THE EELS V BULLDOGS LIVE IN THE PLAYER ABOVE AT MIDDAY ON SATURDAY

Eels forward Tyrese Lokeni in action during last season's Harold Matthews Cup.

The 16-year-old who weighs in at more than 100kg is set to start in the second row after missing Parramatta’s opening day defeat to the Roosters with a wrist injury.

Tyrese began playing footy at six, however, that was of the union variety with friends convincing him to try out league at his local club, Rouse Hill Rhinos, when he was 11.

Since then Tyrese has been impressing coaches in both codes. So much so that he was picked up by Parramatta as well as starring in The King’s College rugby program.

The King’s College has produced Wallaby icons such as Stirling Mortlock and Nick Phipps, however, it’s starting to feed players through to the NRL with Joseph Suuali and Will Penisini debuting for the Roosters and Eels respectively in 2021.

While he has modelled his game off the success of Penisini, Tyrese will instead find himself one position closer to the ball this weekend.

“I definitely look up to players like Will Penisini who went to my school a few years ago,” Tyrese said.

Eels NRL star Will Penisini was also part of the newfound NRL production line at The King’s School. (Photo by Speed Media/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

“Him and Mitch Jennings, both are evasive centres who can get on the outside of defenders.

“In union David Havili from the All Blacks is a big inspiration for me and so is Rieko Ioane.

Tyrese said there are a few differences between the league and union, but he believes his determined playing style brings him to the fore in both.

WATCH LIVE: Tarsha Gale Cup - Eels v Bulldogs

WATCH LIVE: SG Ball Cup - Eels v Bulldogs

“I think I can create something out of nothing and I try to have a strong running game,” he said.

“Playing [First XV] in rugby means it’s more physical because of the age difference, but rugby league is a lot faster. You can spread the ball a bit more in union and it’s a bit more direct in league.”

While many parents may be apprehensive about their kid getting among the rough and tumble of rugby league, Tyrese’s mum Tanya McNaughton said it doesn’t keep her up at night despite Tyrese copping a few injuries over the years.

“I don’t get nervous watching him play, he seems to know what he’s doing,” Tanya laughed.

“When he was 10, he broke his leg during little athletics doing high jump. I remember in the hospital he kept saying his rugby career was over.”

Eels forward Tyrese Lokeni with sister, and Tarsha Gale Cup player, Kyanna Lokeni.

“He broke his wrist two years ago, he fractured his nose during his first game at King’s and he fractured his hand in a trial game against Canberra (in December). I think it happened in the first half, but he kept playing.”

The Glenwood rookie has been racking up the representative honours in both codes, having played for City under-16s in league NSW in sevens rugby.

Many young sportsmen could become overwhelmed by having two of the country’s biggest sports wanting you to commit to them, but not Tyrese.

“I am just keen to see how it goes,” he said.

“I am trying to do whatever I can to expand my options. My personal goal for this year is just to play some of my best footy.

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“I haven’t had a full season with Parra yet due to injury and school commitments, so I am looking forward to that.”

Eventually Tyrese will need to decide which sport he wants to focus on, but his mum, like every mum, just wants her boy to enjoy himself.

“People keep saying he’s gotta make a decision,” she said.

“But at this stage he can play both.

“By the time the Harold Matthews season is over he gets into the union season with school so they don’t really clash.

“I don’t want him to have to make a decision until he has to.”

The action kicks off in Parramatta at 10.30am with the Tarsha Gale Cup where Tyrese’s sister, Kyanna, will line up in the blue and gold against Canterbury-Bankstown.

Tyrese’s Harold Matthews Cup side will be looking for their first win of the season from 12pm and the SG Ball Cup will start at 1.30pm.

Originally published as Watch live: Cross-code young gun to star in Eels v Bulldogs Harold Mats Cup clash