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Match Report: Eels get first up win

Posted by 1Eyed Eel on March 12, 2011 at 7:18pm
Parramatta has taken their impressive pre-season form into the competition proper beating the New Zealand Warriors 24 to 18 to open their 2011 account. The change from last year was obvious immediately. Where so many times in 2010, the Eels would give up an early penalties or mistakes and then concede first points, Parramatta were faultless early. Rather, the Warriors gave away a couple of ill-disciplined penalties and invited Parramatta to attack. Seizing the opportunity, Casey McGuire did some nice work out of dummy half and Jeff Robson ran into half a gap and was able to thread his way through some mediocre defence to bring up the first points. Luke Burt kept his perfect kicking record for 2011 intact and the Eels were up six to nil. That was extended to eight via a penalty and then 14 when Jarryd Hayne took advantage of a lack of urgency from Warriors defenders to catch a cross-field bomb and touch down the the second try. The only area where the Warriors really looked likely was attacking the Eel's inexperienced right-hand defence against debutant Ryan Morgan and flanker Etu Uaisele. That danger was mitigated somewhat when massive winger Manu Vatuvai tried to trample over the top of Uaisele, and only succeeded in tearing his medial ligament. He'll be out for up to eight weeks. However, eventually the Warrior's persistence in attacking that side of the park paid off, and the Eels were caught horribly short on numbers and conceded their first try of 2011. James Maloney converted from touch to reduce the Warriors deficit to 14 to six, a score that carried through to half-time. Parramatta's strong start to the first half was replicated in the second, when New Zealand's young winger Glen Fisiiahi spilled a massive Jarryd Hayne kick and the ever-reliable Luke Burt was there to pick up the dreggs, score and then convert to make it 20 to six. Fisiiahi, who controversially was chosen over former Eel Krisnan Inu had an awful night with his hands and just a few minutes later spilled another kick but this time the Eel's let off their opponents with an error. However, Fisiiahi's night didn't improve much. The Eels went his way again when next given a chance to attack and this time he left Luke Burt too much room on his outside and a Jarryd Hayne cut out was more than good enough to put his wingman away. Burt missed his first goal of the year, leaving the Eels clear by 18 at 24 to six. That advantage was reduced to 12, when the Warriors again attacked the Eel's right and despite Uaisele getting good contact on Jerome Ropati, the New Zealander did particularly well to get the ball down. Maloney converted from touch to give New Zealand some hope coming into the final 15 minutes. Those hopes were raised further when New Zealand's Louis Brown scored from a cross-field kick that Jeff Robson and Ryan Morgan failed to clean up, making it just a converted try between the two teams. However, the Eels were able to hang on in the last few minutes despite a few nervous moments and deservedly held on for the two points.
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  • paul taylor March 12, 2011 at 7:22pm

    Great win . Very melbourne like performance, Everyone knew their job and did it. Hayne did not overplay his game. Structured attack and compressed defence that worked well in shutting down their big man and off loads.  RAPT with that effort.  ALLGOOD was excellent, HORO dominant.  

     We are Parramatta - in 2011 we arm wrestle and we dig in for each other, 

     

  • Normo March 12, 2011 at 7:23pm
    It seems trial form does mean something. No mistake football. Almost. I love it.
  • Parraeels12 March 12, 2011 at 7:23pm
    OMGGG I'm so happy I nearly had a heart attack in the last 5 mins.

    Haynes urgency in defence has dramatically improved, and were getting better under the high ball. I love you Kearney .
  • Camo March 12, 2011 at 7:25pm
    Yeeeew WHAT A WIN!!!!!!
  • Chris Johnstone March 12, 2011 at 7:27pm
    Very impressed.......so good to see some strategic kicking and tries from bombs.......
  • Ricky March 12, 2011 at 7:28pm
    For a kid on debut, my word Allgood played very well.
    Not afraid to hit the line, and made some solid metres.
    Should be good to see him in person next week against the Panthers.
  • RV March 12, 2011 at 7:29pm

    Fui, Mannah, Allgood looked good, so did Shacks - worked hard all game.

     

    Still got Poore, Webb, Reddy and Fats to come back in the side.

     

    Win Ugly!

  • Mainey March 12, 2011 at 7:31pm

    I AGREE 100% Definitely heart stopping but so good to see us open with a win !!!! Worth it !!!! <3

  • Brian Jackson March 12, 2011 at 7:35pm

    hayne - outstanding and took a leader role

    esi - ok, caught out for both tries though

    morgan - minimal involvement - ok debut

    walker - no defence lapses but minimal involvement

    burt - outstanding ( however should have taken penalty kick for goal at  20-6 - could have been very costly!! )

    mortimer - solid , nothing special, gave away stupid penalty at the end

    robson - poor first kick to ingoal, but solid afterwards and a good try

    allgood - fantatsic first game - should stay in team when webb returns

    maguire - good game, but couple of errors

    mannah - great game , very solid

    hindmarsh - usual game and effort

    lasalo - suprising amount of minutes, was solid

    horo - solid, good game

    keating - did some good things

    shackelton - impressive first game back and good minutes, he will be important this year

    smith - minimal minutes

    fui - great game, inspiring runs when needed

     

    overall, congrats boys, discipline and attitude was great. Its a massive effort to win over there in front of 40 000 people. I am very happy with that effort and win. A concerning last 15 minutes though, should not have let them back in it, especially with our supposed fitness levels. I still have massive question marks over centres and wing spot.

    A great effort, well done kearney on your first win and for giving us a great start to the year.

  • Pat March 12, 2011 at 7:38pm

    I cant help but think there is a footy God sometimes

     

    Hohaiha milked a penalty from Daniel Mortimer after a kick chase tackle and one minute later was flattened bu Fui Fui

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