Parramatta Eels have tonight completed a courageous comeback against Penrith Panthers to topple The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup premiers 22-16 at CommBank Stadium.
A mishap at kick-off from the visitors gifted the Eels early possession, but the home side was unable to capitalise after centre Zac Cini failed to plant a grubber kick down in the in-goal area.
The Panthers rebounded and took control of the game, breaking the deficit after a barging Eddie Blacker powered his way over the line.
The Eels responded with a try of their own on the back of a well-timed cut-out pass from Jake Arthur which found Haze Dunster. The Eels winger then showed brilliant footwork to get himself over for a try. Jordan Rankin’s conversion attempt hit the post, to leave Parramatta behind 6-4.
Penrith extended their lead after the hosts failed to clean up a kick in behind their line, allowing Tom Jenkins to get a hand on the ball to give his side a 12-4 lead going into half-time.
The Eels overcame an error early in the second half to score through Mitch Rein, who picked up a loose ball and touched down next to the posts after the visitors lost possession.
Parramatta maintained the pressure with multiple repeat sets, leading to a perfectly-placed grubber kick for fullback Arthur Miller-Stephen to score and put his side in front for the first time. A second successful conversion from Rankin saw the Eels extend their lead to 16-12.
The hosts’ kicking game was lethal, with another grubber finding Miller-Stephen who tapped the ball forward for Joshuah Minhinnick to touch down and extend his side’s lead by 10 points.
The Panthers set up a grandstand finish after Tom Jenkins touched down in the corner from a set play at a scrum to reduce the margin to 22-16. The Eels however were able to hold on and run out the clock to seal a brave comeback victory.
Talking Points
- Ball security proved to be a problem throughout the first half for the Eels as they gave possession away cheaply on numerous occasions, gifting Penrith easy yardage.
- Parramatta’s kicking game was pinpoint in the second half, with all three of their tries in the second period coming off the back of kicks.
- Eels No.7 Jake Arthur starred for the hosts, with his kicking game on point as well as assisting in three of the Eels’ four tries.
Key Moment
Minhinnick’s second try of the season sealed the comeback victory for the Eels, after a grubber kick found Miller-Stephen who tapped the ball forward for his winger.
What’s Next?
The Eels will be seeking their third consecutive win of the season when they travel to Wollongong to take on the St George Illawarra Dragons, while the Panthers return home to host the Canberra Raiders in what should be entertaining match.
Replies
BA must have awarded JA the star player award....otherwise it just doesn't make any sense and defies logic 😉
So we scored of a forward pass?
lol it reads that way. I assume the tap forward was done by foot...
It's good to hear JA's taking control of the outcome and getting the win. The more he does this in Cup, the more his confidence grows and the closer he gets to being capable in first grade.
Spot on. That is why he should never have been our 14 last season. He needs the time to develop. Sitting on the bench was doing him no favours
We had bugger all options. He was unfortunately our best option. The coach got us to a GF doing it his way , the fact he sat JA on the bench was far from the reason we lost the GF.
We didn't compete in the GF because our big stars went MIA and we will have a sufficient ( albeit likley only as a backup ) player somewhere down the track in a position god only knows what position , due to JAs exposure he got last season. His inclusion was out of necessity , not choice. He would've known the plays , had tightened up his defence ( yes ! ... when the most gifted player in the comp wasn't running around him just like he had to Origin Stars all season ) and made virtually zero handling errors. He simply filled a gap.
Not blaming the GF on JA's selection at all. My point was more around his development. He gets a lot more from playing 80 minutes in reserve grade than 5 minutes in first grade.
That said, I would have preferred Carty in the 14 role last year, or Hayze Perham, as they cover more positions.
Fair E Nuff mate .
The forwards were cooked because we are always struglling to make the top 4/8 and have a big game round 26 instead of resting.
We had other options during the season than JA and may have been travelling better allowing resting the big guns round 26 like the teams that win the premiership
We were struggling to make the top 4/8 because Moses , Brown and Gutherson shit the bed when we shoud've won the games against the bum teams through the year.
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