The Eagles are now out of the top eight and have to face New Zealand Warriors next week before finishing off their season against Penrith, while the Eels on the other hand moved up into sixth spot and have the easiest run home of the top eight side facing the 11th placed Tigers at Parramatta Stadium next week and the 13th placed Cowboys at Dairy Farmers Stadium in Townsville in the last round of the competition.
Over 13,000 people turned out in light drizzle to help lift the Parramatta Eels to a 19 – 6 win over the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles at Parramatta Stadium today. In a match that was vital for both the Eagles and Eels in securing a position in the top eight, both sides stepped up early, with the forwards of both sides battling to make yards.
Manly struck first, when hooker, Jamie Goddard, scooted out from dummy half to the offload to winger John Hopoate who dashed to score under the posts. Williamson’s boot added the extras, and Manly were up 6 – 0.
It only took seven minutes for the Eels to equalise. Ian Hindmarsh took a run from the dummy half to crash over the line. The in the 30th minute, Parramatta took the lead when Buettner drifted across field before throwing to Wagon, who made yards up the middle and flicked across to Burt who changed angle and dived under the posts.
Burt’s boot made it 12 – 6, and that’s the way it stayed till half time. Change of halves, and Parramatta stepped up to keep the Eagles scoreless in the second half, whilst adding to their own total.
Wagon scored for himself in the 48th minute, and with a field goal to Brad Drew in the 65th minute, Parramatta had put the nail in the Sea Eagles coffin.
Parramatta highlighted the potential of their defence throughout the second half, and whilst the slippery ball did benefit them to an extent with holding out Manly, it also caused many problems for their side as well.
PARRAMATTA EELS 19
Tries: Daniel Wagon 2, Ian Hindmarsh
Goals: Burt 3 from 3
F/Goals: Drew
Team: Luke Burt, Matthew Peterson, Ashley Graham, David Vaealiki, Jason Moodie, Michael Buettner, Brad Drew, Daniel Wagon, Ian Hindmarsh, Nathan Hindmarsh, Michael Vella, Nathan Hollingsworth, Nathan Cayless (c). Subs: Ben Kusto, Dean Widders, Andrew Ryan, Daniel Heckenberg.
MANLY EAGLES 6
Tries: John Hopoate
Goals: Williamson 1 from 1
Team: Robert Miles, Mitch Creary, Lenny Beckett, Ben MacDougall, John Hopoate, Luke Williamson, Jason Ferris, Steve Menzies (c), Nik Kosef, Mark Shipway, Danny Lima, Jamie Goddard, Jason King. Subs: Mal Kaufusi, Anthony Watmough, Tasesa Lavea, Aaron Cannings.
Venue: Parramatta Stadium
Crowd: 13,088
Date: Sun Aug 25 3:00pm
Referee: Tim Mander
Penalties: Eels 7-3
Half time: Eels 12-6
