Parramatta were definitely the best side throughout the night but continuously invited the Cowboys back into the match, eventually holding on for an 18-16 win.
The Eels burst the match open inside the first 10 minutes. Corey Norman streaked through the middle of the field but for some unknown reason, didn't pass to an unmarked Tim Mannah on his inside.
Nevertheless, Parramatta cashed in on their next set. Junior Paulo crashing through and slamming it down next to the posts.
The Blue and Golds ensured they pushed home their early advantage, with Semi Radradra crossing for his twelfth try of the season.
North Queensland though fought their way back into the contest with James Tamou crossing under the posts. The score stood at 10-6.
With the half winding down and just five minutes remaining, the Eels went to their trusty right edge, sending Sio sliding over for his tenth try of the season. The score was 14-6 to the Eels at half-time.
Parramatta started the second half on the right foot. Jarryd Hayne cruising up in support before burning Michael Morgan with pace and scoring in the corner. It was Hayne's tenth four pointer of the season. 18-6 with 20 minutes to go.
With the match still on the line and more than ten minutes remaining Antonio Winterstein crossed out-wide. With Thurston's missed conversion it was 18-10, 18 minutes to go.
The Cowboys kept pushing for their next try but the Eels continued repelling set after set. Then Michael Morgan cracked the Blue and Gold wall and Thurston converted. 18-16, 2 minutes left.
Sandow pulled off a short kick-off but he threw it wide to Hopoate who, in trying to get the ball to Sio, knocked-on. Giving the Cowboys two tackles to make the match winning play.
They went to their right hand side once again. Morgan sliced through before he was grounded by Norman. The Cowboys went again and just as they burst through the line the ball went to ground with the Eels cleaning it up. It finished up 18-16.
Parramatta definitely didn't do themselves any favours, failing to find the killer blow when it mattered. Both Brad Arthur and Jarryd Hayne have said they need to be a lot more clinical when closing out these types of matches.
A positive for the Eels was the performances of Luke Kelly and Joseph Paulo. Kelly started at hooker and did the job admirably with Paulo starting at lock before shifting to dummy-half.
Paulo's ball-playing constantly pressured the Cowboys' defence in the middle.
Also playing well was Corey Norman. He had a very good game, taking on the line consistently and being a terrific presence in defence.
Next week the Eels face the Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium. Jarryd Hayne won't play due to Origin duty with the Dogs missing Trent Hodkinson, Josh Reynolds, Tony Williams and Josh Morris.
Parramatta Eels: 18 (Tries: Paulo, Radradra, Sio, Hayne. Goals: Sandow 1/4) bt
North Queensland Cowboys: 16 (Tries: Tamou, Winterstein, Morgan. Goals Thurston 2/3).
Man of the Match: Jarryd Hayne
See More: http://www.bluegoldglory.com.au/2014/06/06/4338/6-in-a-row
Replies
thanks for the wrap up...yes the Eels certainly shot themselves in the foot quite a few times,a couple of individual errors could've really cost us enormous in the end...Sandow continues to play well each week but needs to land some conversion kicks from the sideline every once in a while...Ma'u played tough but needs to have better ball handling, Norman as you said was great but sometimes cant quite put the exclamation point on a good play he created...this is all good though, we don't want to be peaking halfway through the comp,the big positive is that we can win ugly....not that last night was ugly though coz we were definitely a 20point better side then the Cows,just lacked a bit of execution,its always nice to know that we can improve at training with plenty to work on...Hayne makes such a difference & I liked what Kelly provided without the huge loss of Peats...well if only we didn't shift any games to either ANZ or Darwin,we could've been guaranteed 12 home wins this season,the boys will need to find a way to jag a few away wins to remain in the top8...BA- you're a champion coach keep up the great work with Parramatta! I hear IsaacDeGois is signing..?
With Sandow only landing 1 conversion from 3 attempts why wasn't Kelly given the last kick out wide? He apparently goal kicks well in NSW Cup.