1981 1982 1983 1986 
Post by Electric Eel on May 16, 2020 13:37:41 GMT 10
1985 Minor Semi Final: Parramatta 32 d Balmain 4
By Alan Clarkson
Big League Magazine
September 18th - 24th, 1985
Former England halfback Tommy Bishop paid Peter Sterling the highest compliment after Saturday's minor semi-final when Parramatta crushed Balmain 32-4.
Sterling back to his brilliant best, was the architect of much of the Parramatta attack which completely dominated the match in the second half.
"I have played against some good Australian halfbacks, but he is the best I have seen," Bishop said.
"He is a class player and one of the most impressive aspects of his game is that he never gets ruffled.
"He took a bit of stick when he was in England but he never reacted and went on playing his usual game.
"I wish I had been able to control myself as Peter does. I'm sure I would have been a better player."
Bishop's accolade was thoroughly deserved. Sterling was the mastermind for so much of the Parramatta work, getting the attack going with his good service, tackling fiercely around the rucks and using the kick effectively to turn the Balmain team around.
His alertness set up his own try after 18 minutes of the second half when he spotted a gap, kicked over the top and calmly regathered to score.
And it was a superb pass that put Brett Kenny into the gap to enable him to stroll over for Parramatta's next try to stretch the lead to 28-4.
Parramatta's performance in winning their two sudden death matches so convincingly has strengthened the belief the team could create Rugby League history.
Since the introduction of the five team semi-final, no team has ever won the premiership after finishing in fourth or fifth position.
After watching Parramatta annihilate Penrith 38-6 and then follow that up with Saturday's 32-4 victory, there is little wonder that many believe they can go all the way.
In these two matches, Parramatta scored an incredible 13 tries and allowed two, and 11 of the tries were scored by the backs.
Parramatta lead 10-4 at halftime but it was simply a matter of time until the Eels took command.
The end was in sight for Balmain after only three minutes of the second half when Parramatta scored a brilliant try that ripped the defence to shreds.
From a bomb, Ray Price regathered, sent the ball to Taylor then it went to Brett Kenny who burst through, Steve Ella was there and he escaped Garry Schofield before passing to Neil Hunt and then to Mick Cronin who went over in the corner in Scott Gale's tackle.
Parramatta scored their first try after 14 minutes when the ball spurted from Gary Bridge's grasp and was regathered by Ella.
He darted ahead and when tackled rolled the ball back to be scooped up by Eric Grothe who went over for the first of his two tries.
Balmain hit back with a try by Garry Jack to level the scores after Parramatta had attempted to press the attack too hard and there was an intercept of a Paul Taylor pass.
But Taylor did not take long to make amends. He put up a bomb, the ball was allowed to bounce and it went at an angle and Taylor, following up scored.
Then came the onslaught with Parramatta maintaining an iron grip of the play.
Apart from the discipline in attack, Parramatta defended superbly with Price, Steve Sharp and Peter Ford in particular working overtime to blot out the Balmain runners.
In the Balmain team, hooker Benny Elias was busy in attack and defence.
By Alan Clarkson
Big League Magazine
September 18th - 24th, 1985
Former England halfback Tommy Bishop paid Peter Sterling the highest compliment after Saturday's minor semi-final when Parramatta crushed Balmain 32-4.
Sterling back to his brilliant best, was the architect of much of the Parramatta attack which completely dominated the match in the second half.
"I have played against some good Australian halfbacks, but he is the best I have seen," Bishop said.
"He is a class player and one of the most impressive aspects of his game is that he never gets ruffled.
"He took a bit of stick when he was in England but he never reacted and went on playing his usual game.
"I wish I had been able to control myself as Peter does. I'm sure I would have been a better player."
Bishop's accolade was thoroughly deserved. Sterling was the mastermind for so much of the Parramatta work, getting the attack going with his good service, tackling fiercely around the rucks and using the kick effectively to turn the Balmain team around.
His alertness set up his own try after 18 minutes of the second half when he spotted a gap, kicked over the top and calmly regathered to score.
And it was a superb pass that put Brett Kenny into the gap to enable him to stroll over for Parramatta's next try to stretch the lead to 28-4.
Parramatta's performance in winning their two sudden death matches so convincingly has strengthened the belief the team could create Rugby League history.
Since the introduction of the five team semi-final, no team has ever won the premiership after finishing in fourth or fifth position.
After watching Parramatta annihilate Penrith 38-6 and then follow that up with Saturday's 32-4 victory, there is little wonder that many believe they can go all the way.
In these two matches, Parramatta scored an incredible 13 tries and allowed two, and 11 of the tries were scored by the backs.
Parramatta lead 10-4 at halftime but it was simply a matter of time until the Eels took command.
The end was in sight for Balmain after only three minutes of the second half when Parramatta scored a brilliant try that ripped the defence to shreds.
From a bomb, Ray Price regathered, sent the ball to Taylor then it went to Brett Kenny who burst through, Steve Ella was there and he escaped Garry Schofield before passing to Neil Hunt and then to Mick Cronin who went over in the corner in Scott Gale's tackle.
Parramatta scored their first try after 14 minutes when the ball spurted from Gary Bridge's grasp and was regathered by Ella.
He darted ahead and when tackled rolled the ball back to be scooped up by Eric Grothe who went over for the first of his two tries.
Balmain hit back with a try by Garry Jack to level the scores after Parramatta had attempted to press the attack too hard and there was an intercept of a Paul Taylor pass.
But Taylor did not take long to make amends. He put up a bomb, the ball was allowed to bounce and it went at an angle and Taylor, following up scored.
Then came the onslaught with Parramatta maintaining an iron grip of the play.
Apart from the discipline in attack, Parramatta defended superbly with Price, Steve Sharp and Peter Ford in particular working overtime to blot out the Balmain runners.
In the Balmain team, hooker Benny Elias was busy in attack and defence.
