Parramatta's NYC side has come up trumps via a penalty goal to Jason Wehbe in the final two minutes, having earlier seen a 16 to nil lead slip away from them.
The Eel's started strongly and it was again their Mackay connection - Patrick O'Hanlon and Marmin Barba - who got points on the board. O'Hanlon, who is making a habit of getting of getting across the stripe in recent weeks, scored in the 17th minute and then Barba bagged a double to put the Eels in front 16 to nil at half time.
However, the Titans gradually pulled back those points and looked like they might pull off an unlikely victory when they scored with just sixteen minutes to go to bring the scores back to level. However, the Titans missed the conversion and instead it was Wehbe slotting a penalty kick to give Parramatta a much-needed win that will put them back in touch with the finals contenders.
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Ok one eyed while I dont think Hayne is a 6 I will grant you that due to our urgent need for a running back rower I would blood OHanlon now !!
That one of your two wishes granted
Written by Cahn Cotter
It was tough tussle in the opening stages and in the latter parts of this round 6 NYC clash between, the Pirtek Parramatta Eels and the Gold Coast Titans, at Parramatta Stadium.
The Eels got off to speedy 16-0 lead before half time - maestro Marmin Barba grabbing a double – but only held on to win 18-16 against a tough Titans outfit that ran in four second half tries.
Last place Titans – who destroyed the Eels side last year – this time came up against a different Parramatta side, without giving an inch, trying to climb the ladder with another victory and the road to that path started well as the Eels were first to strike.
Pat O’Hanlon was the recipient of their first try after a penalty was rewarded to the Eels and it was hooker, Dean Blackman that put O’Hanlon into a gaping hole on the back of one of his strong dummy-half runs giving the Eels a 6-0 lead of twenty-five minutes.
Then the Eels maestro Marmin Barba posted a double moments later in the first half to give the Eels a 16-0 lead going into half-time. Barba continued his scintillating early form for the Eels, having scored 7 tries in his past three outings.
Barba’s first try came when he joined a back-line movement from the Eels, slicing through a gap out wide to simply outpace all Titans backs to run forty metres to score to give the Eels the lead 10-0.
Barba second came when he again got involved - on the back of another titans mistake - on the end of a backline movement, his dazzling foot speed to classy for his opposites as he danced through the Titans defensive line to score and take the margin out to 16-0.
Coming from the sheds at half-time the Titans looked more enthusiastic early on and on the back of a down-town kick from the half, Sam Irwin, a mistake from Barba lead to their first try to Titans winger Alec Jones.
Both sides continued their attacking prowess throughout the progressive match, both coming close to posting points on numerous occasions if it were not for great on-line defenses.
Barba sniffed a hat-trick on two occasions in the space of a few minutes, however was denied on both occasions after the referee deemed that Barba had lost the ball.
From that error from the Eels, the Titans went ninety metres in a set of six to score their second try to make the score 16 – 8. Then Eels Captain Rory Brien was sent to the bin for arguing with the referee’s decision to rule the Titans try.
The game locked up even with ten minutes to go 16-16 and with the Eels down to 12 men, the task had become arduous with Titans constantly pressing on the Eels. But another outstanding run from Eels hooker Dean Blackman – from dummy-half – put the Eels in the lead 18-16 with four minutes remaining.
Blackman darted, catching the Titans off-side and they received a penalty just twenty metres out and Jason Wehbe converted it with ease. From here, the Eels held on for a strong home victory.
Parramatta Eels NYC 18 (Tries: Marmin Barba 2, Pat O’Hanlon Goals: Jason Wehbe 3/4) defeated
Gold Coast Titans NYC 16 (Tries: Alec Jones, Titako Sili, Dylan Hartin, Sam Martin Goals: Cory McGrady 0/4
I watched the game, Eels very good 1st half, but what happened in the 2nd half i don't know. They blew so many chances with last pass going astray, or dropping ball over the line etc. WE should have won by at least 12.
Barba continues to scintillate, he is mesmerizing with his footwork. Made 4 line breaks. Only 1 missed tackle. Good under the high ball too.
To be honest no real other standouts today.
This Wehbe has a big boot on him.
From what I have seen he is exactly like his brother. I hope he can turn out to half the player Ben is.
Watched the boys play.
We were clearly the classier team, however we were extremely lazy once they got to a comfotable lead, credit to the titans who never gave up and played smart with the limited talent they had. Really they probably deserved the win in the end, hopefully this was a bit of a wake up call to the boys that they can't cruise in this competition.
Barba obviously looked very classy. Was also impressed by Toutai? and the prop rotation was strong as usual.
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