The Parramatta Eels have triumphed 22-12 over the Manly Sea Eagles following a controversial and brutal match.
Parramatta came into the match needing a win to keep their finals hopes alive whilst Manly were looking for a win to solidify their charge to the minor premiership.
The start wasn't the greatest for the Eels. Manly got an early penalty which saw them in good field position. They went to their right edge with Jorge Taufua scoring in the corner. Jamie Lyon landed the conversion and it was 6-0 inside five minutes.
The Sea Eagles continued to pressure the Parramatta line before the Eels fought their way upfield. The Manly defence held firm and after being camped in their end for ten minutes they received a piggy back penalty to go on the attack.
Shifting to their left edge this time, Peta Hiku was the beneficiary of the sweeping play, diving over in the corner. Lyon failed to land the kick this time and it was 10-0 with ten minutes remaining in the first half.
A late penalty from in-front put Manly ahead 12-0 at the break.
Parramatta came firing out of the blocks in the second half and that's when controversy erupted.
Chris Sandow took the ball to the right edge before slicing through and crossing for what seemed to be a simple try.
The referees sent it upstairs and ruled that David Gower had obstructed the Manly defence, despite the fact that he didn't stop in the line and made no contact with the defenders.
But when, in years past and in the face of adversity, the team's confidence would crack, this side fired up.
For the rest of the game, the Eels pack dominated. They belted and bashed the Manly forwards. Time and again they came out of the line, stopping the Sea Eagles forwards and driving them backwards.
Sandow's kicking game came to the fore. Forcing line drop outs and asking the Manly backs to work it off their own line.
Parramatta's line speed was something to admire. At one point they held up Daly Cherry-Evans three metres from his own line and drove him back into the in-goal.
The pressure paid off.
Ken Edwards barged his way over with 35 minutes remaining and Sandow added the extras.
Then Semi Radradra crossed for his 19th try of the season. Fielding a bomb 10 metres from his own line he beat three defenders and raced away, holding off a pursuing Jorge Taufua.
12-12 and 25 minutes to go.
Then Will Hopoate put the Eels ahead. The former Manly flyer stood up Steve Matai to score on the right edge.
Further controversy erupted though. In trying to prevent the try, Taufua lashed out with his leg. The referees called the winger out but merely issued him with a caution rather than awarding the Eels an eight point try.
Sandow's conversion saw the score at 18-12 with 23 minutes to play.
With the Eels forwards continuing to win the battle in the middle, Vai Toutai killed off the chance of a Sea Eagles comeback.
Jarryd Hayne took the ball to the line, drawing in the Sea Eagles' outside men before slipping the pass to Hopoate. The centre used soft hands to pop the ball to Toutai who crossed untouched.
Sandow's missed conversion gave the Eels a 10 point lead to defend for seven minutes. Despite a last minute attack from the Sea Eagles, Parramatta prevailed 22-12.
The win sees Parramatta move into seventh with 28 points and places pressure on the Warriors and Cowboys.
The Eels face Newcastle at Hunter Stadium next Saturday in another do or die clash.
Replies
Hate to whinge about the refs, but:
First penalty was nonsense- led to a Manly try.
Sandow disallowed try = only one person thought that wasn't a try.
Hayne lost ball on their line- obvious rake by Manly player- no Parra penalty
Smith crusher tackle- nonsense.
And so it goes
Winning despite the refs was great- just a pity the refs are such a factor in all our games.
Just watched a replay of the second half - F*CK YEAH!!
If we can put together two solid halves, replicating the intensity and commitment of the second half V's Manly, we'll be a real force!
Fantastic 2nd half. Not that it really matters but Sandow converted the Hoppa try not the last one. It was 18-12.
Thanks, I'd written it after some celebratory drinks. I'll update it now.
In the 2nd stanza we scored and got a sniff, we went with it, and our enthusiasm picked up,the speed of our defensive line got quicker and we finally believed. We simply did a Manly on Manly. Breathtaking!
No worries, I had a few as well. I only noticed the sequence after watching the replay today!
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