As it happened: Eels, Knights, Warriors secure Magic Round victories

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Eels v Dragons at McDonald Jones Stadium

Full-time: The Parramatta Eels have claimed on of the bravest victories in their history, overcoming multiple injuries to come from behind and defeat the Dragons. The Eels trailed by eight with 14 minutes remaining before Elsie Albert charged over, with Fleur Ginn scoring five minutes later to put her team in front. Parramatta then closed out the contest to secure their first NRLW win over St George Illawarra.

There were injury concerns for both sides, with Eels duo Cassey Tohi-Hiku and Rory Owen suffering ankle injuries. Forward Kennedy Cherrington has also been placed in the head knock protocol after a heavy head clash. St George Illawarra also lost halfback Raecene McGregor after a head clash with Albert on the prop's way to the try line. Eels 12 - Dragons 10.

67th minute: The Eels are one step closer to victory. The Dragons generated a repeat set and worked their way towards the attacking 20-metre line, but the expansive play in challenging conditions did not come off and St George Illawarra spilled the ball. Eels 12 - Dragons 10.

63rd minute: The Eels are back in front after Fleur Ginn sliced her way through for her side's second try in the space of five minutes. A Dragons penalty handed Parramatta another chance to attack and they quickly capitalised. All the momentum is now with the Eels and St George Illawarra face a tough task to regain the lead. Eels 12 - Dragons 10.

60th minute: Parramatta have rolled down the field in their set after points however an attacking kick has taken a turn when Kennedy Cherrington had a head clash with Jayme Millard. The Eels forward was taken from the field for an HIA and with just 10 minutes left in the clash, she won't return. Dragons halfback Raecene McGregor will also sit out the remainder of the match. Eels 8 - Dragons 10.

57th minute: Elsie Albert drew the penalty and now she's scored the try that gets her side back into the contest. The prop delivered a brutal fend to bump Raecene McGregor out of the way and carried multiple defenders over the try line. 

Albert and McGregor had a head clash in the collision, with the Dragons halfback taken from the field for an HIA. Eels 8 - Dragons 10.

56th minute: Parramatta have another chance to hit back after Elsie Albert was collected high. Dragons hooker Nita Maynard-Perrin was placed on report for the high tackle. Eels 2 - Dragons 10.

53rd minute: The Dragons had a chance to kick clear and came close to scoring before Raecene McGregor forced a line dropout. An error in the first tackle, however, handed the Eels possession and released the pressure. Martha Mataele went charging down the sidelines a couple of plays later, however the Dragons scrambled desperately, with Zali Hopkins making a crucial try-saver and forcing an error. 

Some concern for Dragons fullback Margot Vella, who slipped and fell awkwardly while attempting to tackle Mataele. After receiving some treatment, Vella will play on for now. Eels 2 - Dragons 10.

47th minute: There was plenty of pressure building on the Dragons, with Parramatta receiving a pair of penalties to generate their first attacking opportunity of the set. An error in the play the ball by Rueben Cherrington released the pressure valve and St George Illawarra can work it out of their own half. Eels 2 - Dragons 10.

40th minute: Tyra Ekepati signed with the Dragons on Tuesday. Five days later she has a try in her NRLW debut to extend her side's margin. The winger was the recipient of an outstanding Shenai Lendill flick pass and scored in the corner to make for a dream start to the second half. Eels 2 - Dragons 10.

Kick-off: We are back for the second half and there's been more bad news for the Eels, with five-eighth Cassey Tohi-Hiku ruled out for the remainder of the match. The playmaker joins Rory Owen on the sidelines, with both players suffering ankle injuries in the first half. Eels 2 - Dragons 6.

Half-time: A crucial moment in this match in the final minute of the half, with Margot Vella darting over for St George Illawarra's first try of the day. The fullback put her team on the attack with a line break and then finished it off a minute later when she latched on to an offload. 

The Eels have also been dealt a blow on the stroke of half-time, with Rory Owen ruled out for the remainder of the match. The centre is currently on the sidelines with her ankle in a moon boot. Eels 2 - Dragons 6.

30th minute: Positive news on the injury front for the Eels, with Mahalia Murphy passing her HIA and preparing to return to the field. The Dragons are also back to full-strength, with Raecene McGregor returning from the sin bin. Eels 2 - Dragons 0.

25th minute: Parramatta five-eighth Cassey Tohi-Hiku has succumbed to the ankle injury, with the playmaker hobbling from the field. The Eels are also going to have to defend through the next few minutes after conceding a penalty close to their own line. Eels 2 - Dragons 0.

22nd minute: The Eels have the first points of the match, with Rachael Pearson kicking a penalty goal.

Meanwhile, Parramatta five-eighth Cassey Tohi-Hiku has received treatment for a lower leg injury after falling awkwardly in a tackle a few plays earlier. The tackle was then looked at during the stoppage by the Bunker, with Dragons halfback Raecene McGregor sent to the sin bin for a hip-drop tackle. Eels 2 - Dragons 0.

20th minute: A Dragons error has put the Eels on the attack and Parramatta are slowly turning the screws. Winger Martha Mataele was held up over the line, before a Rachael Pearson grubber forced another knock on, with the Eels receiving a fresh set to attack. Eels 0 - Dragons 0.

18th minute: The toll of a physical contest continues to grow, with Mahalia Murphy bouncing out of a tackle after getting her head in the wrong place. The independent doctor has removed the Eels skipper from the field for an HIA and she will be assessed in the sheds. Eels 0 - Dragons 0.

15th minute: Another injury for the Dragons with Trinity Tauaneai staying down after a heavily collision. The forward has received treatment for a shoulder injury but is looking to play on. As for the Eels, positive news for Rory Owen who will have her ankle strapped up and is likely to return. Eels 0 - Dragons 0.

13th minute: St George Illawarra could ill afford another injury but Nita Maynard-Perrin is receiving treatment after falling awkwardly in a tackle. The hooker will stay on the field for now but will be monitored closely. The Dragons received a penalty for high contact in the tackle and have another chance to attack. Eels 0 - Dragons 0.

10th minute: The Dragons have their first attacking opportunity after a Raecene McGregor bomb led to a line dropout. The Eels let the kick bounce and were punished for it. St George Illawarra, however, were unable to capitalise on the field position and turned the ball over. 

Meanwhile, Rory Owen has left the field with the leg injury suffered a few minutes ago. Eels 0 - Dragons 0.

7th minute: Parramatta have controlled the opening exchanges of the contest and have enjoyed some attacking field position, however the Dragons defence has so far been up to the task. 

There is some concern being shown for Eels centre Rory Owen, who is receiving treatment for a leg injury. Eels 0 - Dragons 0.

Kick-off: We are underway in the final game of the inaugural NRLW Magic Round, with both sides looking to bounce back from last-start losses. The Dragons are without several key players, while Parramatta have received a major boost with Kennedy Cherrington returning from an injury suffered in the State of Origin series. The rain has stopped for the time being, however conditions remain extremely challenging at McDonald Jones Stadium. Eels 0 - Dragons 0.

Late Mail

Eels: NSW forward Kennedy Cherrington returns from a knee injury suffered in Origin Three and will come off the bench in her first NRLW game of the year. Tess McWilliams moves to 18th player as a result. Boss Kapua will have to wait at least one more week to make her return from a knee injury. No changes in Sunday's final team update, with Tess McWilliams the 18th player.

Dragons: Tyra Ekepati joined the Red V from the Roosters this week and comes straight into Nathan Cross' team in place of Teagan Berry (suspended). Centre Indie Bostock (finger) and five-eighth Kasey Reh (concussion) will miss Magic Round. Grace Hamilton and Sara Sautia dropped out of the squad in Saturday's 24-hour update. Lock Hannah Southwell will play her 40th NRLW game. St George Illawarra will line up 1-17, with Tahlia O’Brien the 18th player. 

Knights v Raiders at McDonald Jones Stadium

Full-time: Three second-half tries have helped Newcastle secure their fourth-straight victory. It was a hard-fought affair in challenging conditions at McDonald Jones Stadium, with Jesse Southwell stepping up and taking control of the contest after the break. Canberra were valiant, however they made too many errors and their opponents capitalised on their opportunities. Knights 18 - Raiders 0.

65th minute: We've got our second Captain's Challenge of the match, with Newcastle disputing a knock-on ruling. The challenge was quickly dismissed, with the Raiders handed a scrum in attacking field position. Knights 18 - Raiders 0.

63rd minute: It was only a matter of time before Newcastle broke through and it's Olivia Higgins who darts over from dummy half to score her side's third try of the afternoon. Knights 18 - Raiders 0.

59th minute: There were concerns about the Raiders' defence leading into the contest but Darrin Borthwick's side has aimed up today against a talented Knights side. Newcastle spent much of the past 10 minutes camped inside the attacking 20, but the visitors kept turning up and denied their opponents. Errors, however, are proving costly with Canberra turning the ball over inside their own half on multiple occasions. Knights 12 - Raiders 0.

53rd minute: Newcastle are starting to flex their muscle now as the Raiders struggle to hang with their more-fancied rivals. Jesse Southwell has forced two consecutive line dropouts as the Knights chase a third try. 

There is concern, however, for winger Sheridan Gallagher who has received some treatment for a lower leg injury. Knights 12 - Raiders 0.

47th minute: Jesse Southwell has taken control of this contest now. A Canberra error put the hosts back on attack and the halfback ensured her team capitalised. Southwell sucked in the defenders with a double-pump before putting Tiana Davison through a hole for Newcastle's second try of the day. Southwell landed the conversion to make it 20-straight. Knights 12 - Raiders 0.

39th minute: The deadlock has finally been broken. A Raiders error handed the ball back to the Knights and Jesse Southwell made the visitors pay. The halfback produced a superb pass for Shanice Parker to charge through a large gap and Sheridan Gallagher provided the support play to finish it off. Southwell then kicked her 19th-straight shot at goal to put her side up six. Knights 6 - Raiders 0.

Kick-off: We are back for the start of the second half, with the wind now behind the Raiders' backs. Canberra had opportunities late in the first but were unable to capitalise. Newcastle will be looking to generate their own chances early in the second and break through for the first points of the game. Knights 0 - Raiders 0.

Half-time: We have another piece of history on a historic weekend for women's rugby league. The scores are deadlocked at nil-all, the first scoreless half of football in NRLW history. It was a defensive tussle in driving rain at McDonald Jones Stadium, with both sides defending their line. Canberra had more opportunities late in the half but they were unable to break through. Knights 0 - Raiders 0. 

32nd minute: We remain scoreless as we enter the final three minutes of the half however the Raiders have another chance to work their way into attacking field position after a Newcastle forward pass. Knights 0 - Raiders 0.

25th minute: The left-edge shift was on and Canberra created an overlap but Cheyelle Robins-Reti was unable to catch and pass to her winger under heavy pressure from Sheridan Gallagher. Knights 0 - Raiders 0.

23rd minute: Newcastle's discipline is starting to hurt them now and another penalty has given the Raiders a chance to attack. Canberra have played the game at the right end of the field, now they need to capitalise. Knights 0 - Raiders 0.

17th minute: The Knights successfully defended their own line and they've been rewarded with a penalty and a smooth exit from their own end, followed by another penalty. Canberra have defended well but that's now four penalties in less than 20 minutes and it's making life difficult for them. Knights 0 - Raiders 0.

15th minute: The rain has returned to McDonald Jones Stadium and it's making life difficult for the back three. Sheridan Gallagher has spilled a bomb to give the Raiders a fresh set to attack. Knights 0 - Raiders 0.

8th minute: Canberra's defence has let them down through the opening weeks of the season but they've held firm early today and defended back-to-back sets to deny their opponents. A seven-tackle set was followed by a penalty and the Raiders have some good field position. Knights 0 - Raiders 0.

5th minute: The Raiders have made an impressive start to the contest and they've nearly turned a penalty into first points. The visitors had an attacking set and came agonisingly close on multiple occasions but just fell short. Newcastle received a penalty working the ball out of their own end and have a chance to attack. Knights 0 - Raiders 0.

Kick-off: We are underway for the second match of the day in Newcastle, with the home side taking centre-stage for a showdown with the Raiders. The Knights begin the match as heavy favourites and have first use of the ball as they look to make a positive start in trying conditions. Knights 0 - Raiders 0.

Late Mail

Knights: The Knights are 1-17 with no late changes. Jules Kirkpatrick moves from the bench to the starting side after back-rower Evah McEwen was suspended for a hair pull. Joeli Morris is the new face on the bench. Sharpshooter Jesse Southwell has kicked 18 goals from 18 attempts this season. No changes in Saturday's 24-hour update.

Raiders: Grace Kemp will start the match with Chloe Saunders coming off the bench in a switch an hour before kick-off. Hollie-May Dodd dropped out of the side on Saturday, her place in the second row taken by Tatiana Finau. Co-captain Zahara Temara is straight back into the side after missing last week's game with a hamstring injury, with Georgia Thomas making way. Relna Wuruki-Hosea is 18th player.

Cowboys v Warriors at McDonald Jones Stadium

Fulltime

The Warriors have produced an incredible defensive effort running into the wind in the second half to end the Cowboys two match winnings streak. In doing so they unearthed a future star in Ivana Lauitii'ti, the daughter of Warriors great Ali Lauitii'ti/ The rookie forward scored a try and produced a huge tackle on Jakiya Whifteld while running 106 metres with 11 carries of the ball.

65 min: A moment of madness by Warriors secondrower Maarire Puketapu has given the Cowboys a chance to draw level after she conceded a penalty with the ball for shoving Mackenzie Weale in the face.

60 min: Warriors captain Apii Nicholls has been forced from the field for a HIA, forcing a reshuffle with Emmanita Paki going to fullback and secondrower Kaiyah Atai shifting to the centres.

51 min: Warriors winger Payton Takimoana crossed for her sixth try in four matches after halfback Emily Curtain and fullback Apii Nicholls combined to create space out wide. Warriors 12 Cowboys 6.

Halftime Summary

After a slow start the Warriors fought their way back into the game and were dominating the latter stages of the first half. A turning point for the Warriors was the injection of forwards Harata Butler and Ivana Lauitiiti into the game about 15 minutes before the interval. Butler made 49 metres from just four carries of the ball and Lauitiiti scored a try while running 69 metres with the ball.  

35 min: A Maliepo penalty goal has given the Warriors the lead at halftime after Talisha Harden was penalised for holding down in front of her posts. Warriors 8 Cowboys 6.

33 min: A 40/30 kick by Maliepo put the Warriors in good field position in the dying stages of the first half.

28 min: Goldthorp made another long range break to get the Cowboys out of their own end and into a good attacking position.

26 min: If at first you don't succeed, try, try and try again - that is what Ivana Lauitiiti did to score on debut for the Warriors. Initially held up by Kelly, she charged over two tackles later for her first NRLW try. Maliepo converted. Cowboys 6 Warriors 6  

12 min: Teenage Warriors winger Tyra Wetere was denied a special moment in her NRLW debut after losing control of the ball as she dived to score off an Emily Curtain grubber.  

10 min: Cowboys five-eighth Rosie Kelly scored the opening try of Day 2 after Warriors centre Tysha Ikenasio put down a bomb near her own tryline from Tahlulah Tillett. Cowboys captain Emma Manzelmann converted. Cowboys 6-0.

8 min: English winger Francesca Goldthorp has made the first break of the game for the Cowboys after picking up a loose pass from Warriors five-eighth Patricia Maliepo and sprinting 50 metres before being rounded up by the defence.

1 min: We are officially underway on the second day of NRLW Magic Round and while the rain has cleared it is still extremely windy at McDonald Jones Stadium as was evident with the kick-off.

Late Mail

Cowboys: Only one change on game day, with Hailee-Jay Ormond-Maunsell again shifted to the bench with Essay Banu to start in the second row. Earlier in the week, there were no changes to the personnel who defeated the Raiders. 

Warriors: A few changes to the team a day out from the game, with star winger Michaela Brake out of the side for personal reasons, while Tyra Wetere and Ivana Lauitiiti will make their NRLW debuts. Wetere comes in for her on the right wing while prop Lauitiiti has been brought onto the bench for her debut replacing former Knights forward Felila Kia, who is out with injury. Earlier, halfback Emily Curtain came straight back into the starting side in her return from a hip injury. Props Metanoia Fotu-Moala and Lavinia Kitai shifted from the bench to the starting side so Harata Butler moves to the interchange and Matekino Gray (concussion protocols) is out. No changes on game day.