Parramatta have suffered their first loss in nine matches at Pirtek Stadium against Newcastle, going down 16-10.
It was a high quality match with both sides completing near 90% of their sets and each side throwing committed to the cause.
Tim Mannah appeared to go down in the very first hit-up when Beau Scott pinned the Parramatta co-captain's arm in what seemed to be a chicken wing tackle. No penalty was issued but Mannah left the field shortly after.
Newcastle hit first through Akuila Uate when the Knights made their way down the field off the back of two piggy-back penalties. Gidley missed the conversion and it was 4-0.
Jarryd Hayne though decided to inject himself into the match. Receiving a kick 10 metres out from his own line, he drifted to his right before using a left-foot step that fooled Darius Boyd, B.J Leilua and Akuila Uate.
Hayne streaked away to score un-touched and the Eels led 6-4.
For the ensuing 20 minutes the sides slogged away through the forwards before the Knights managed to build some pressure on the Eels' line.
The blue and gold wall stood firm before Mullen kicked to the air. A scrap for the ball followed before Leilua appeared with the ball and touched down.
The video review was inconclusive and the try upheld.
10-6 to Newcastle.
Darius Boyd then put the Knights further ahead when he returned a kick 90 metres to score, managing to outpace Semi Radradra to the try-line.
16-6 at half-time.
At the beginning of the second half, Tim Mannah re-appeared from the dressing sheds, visibly hampered by his left arm.
Parramatta struggled to build pressure but continued to repel the Knights. Then the Eels were finally handed some field position.
Going to their left edge, Ken Edwards managed to deliver an offload to Willie Tonga who positioned Semi Radradra one-on-one with his opposite and Semi crashed over.
Sandow missed the touch-line conversion and it was 16-10 with 10 minutes remaining.
Unfortunately for the Eels they were unable to crack the Knights again.
It was clear that Parramatta missed some of their injured brigade. Given Ryan Morgan's spilled pass with a two-on-one developing, it remains obvious that the Eels missed Will Hopoate.
Parramatta now head into a bye week before they face the Warriors in New Zealand. Hopefully by then Hopoate will be fit and raring to go.
Replies
God I hate Darius Boyd. Gave him a good spray and the Darius is a wanker chant got going. Graceless in defeat and victory.
Agree... he's one of those players that doesn't really even need to do anything in order for you to hate him. His head, his beard, his name, how he speaks... just shi7s me to tears. He's my current day Michael Hancock.
Don't forget Manu Mau.
The forwards look a little more pedestrian since he's been gone.
NOW DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!!!!
-
1
-
2
-
3
of 3 Next