The Parramatta Eels have shook the rugby league world with a win over the previously undefeated Premiers, the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Given very little hope by rugby league experts, the Eels were struck with a growing casualty ward that saw Tepai Moeroa replaced before kickoff by Peni Terepo.
John Folau and Reece Robinson both bagged doubles whilst Chris Sandow also bagged a try and a field goal in what was perhaps his best performance in blue and gold.
After three consecutive sloppy starts from the Eels, they were strong in the opening 20 minutes, even if Souths scored first after eight minutes, through Joel Reddy.
Parramatta responded six minutes later through John Folau when he stepped two Rabbitohs defenders to get over the line to score his first try in the NRL.
Chris Sandow plotted a penalty goal from in front to give the Eels an 8-6 lead.
For the next 20 minutes both sides went set for set until Chris Grevsmuhl burst through on the left edge to put the Rabbits ahead 12-8.
A second try to Folau which saw him carry four Souths defenders over the line gave Parramatta a 14-12 lead at half-time.
Parramatta came out of the blocks strong in the second half and Reece Robinson was given enough room down the left edge to burn the defence and then get around Greg Inglis to give the Eels an unlikely 18-12 lead.
The game felt like it remained in the balance and when the Rabbitohs hit back through Alex Johnston in the 61st minute Eels fans began to think the worst.
Only a missed Adam Reynolds goal separated the two sides.
Parramatta though were tough and refused to back down. Reece Robinson added a second in similar style to his first and it gave the Eels a 22-16 lead with 13 minutes remaining.
The Rabbitohs began to camp on the Eels' line and sent wave after wave of red and green at the Parramatta line.
The defence stood stern and after Chris McQueen spilt the ball, the Eels began to march down field.
They only needed the one set to work into good field position and Chris Sandow cooly slotted the field goal to hand Parramatta a seven point lead with four minutes remaining.
With South's short kick-off going out on the full, Parramatta were back on the attack.
Chris Sandow was then able to rub salt into the wound when one of his grubbers was spilt by Alex Johnston and the diminutive half was able to recover the ball and score.
Sandow's sideline conversion gave the Eels a 29-16 win and a memorable night for all Eels fans.
See More: http://www.bluegoldglory.com.au/2015/03/27/8071/eels-defeat-premiers
Replies
There are a couple of blogs that get instant top blog status. And they are the match day blog and match report.
Hahahaha.
I got my first top blog in 6 months tonight, despite constantly penning blogs that are the most replied to and viewed on the site within an hour of writing them, you mods need to reward blogs that are the most replied to and viewed, thats the definition of a top blog, the most popular blogs deserve top billing even if they arnt the mods favourite blogs.
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