A late try to Cameron McInnes has given South Sydney a gritty 14-12 win over Parramatta at a wet ANZ Stadium on Friday night.
Both teams crossed for three tries, however it was Issac Luke’s conversion in front of the posts with only minutes remaining that proved the difference.
It is the second week in a row Parramatta have failed to kick a goal, with recalled playmaker Chris Sandow missing two shots and Reece Robinson flaying a third.
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Sandow also missed a penalty shot on the stroke of halftime.
Scores were locked at 8-all when second-rower Manu Ma’u gave pounced on a spilt Luke Kelly bomb in the 65th minute to give his side the lead.
However, McInnes sliced through at the death to consign the Eels to their 18th loss in 19 games at the Olympic venue and leave them in outright last spot on the NRL ladder.
Rookie Souths winger Aaron Gray crossed either side of halftime, taking his tally to five tries in just four games.
The hosts opened the scoring on John Sutton’s grubber for Gray in the 9th minute, but the visitors hit back not long after when Semi Radradra soared for a Kelly bomb and put Brad Takairangi over.
Kelly was again involved in his side’s second try, throwing a long cutout for Reece Robinson to hand the Eels an 8-4 lead at the break.
Gray levelled the scores in the 55th minute courtesy of a John Sutton offload.
Rabbitohs forward Ben Lowe (knee) and Eels prop Peni Terepo (pec) both suffered first half injuries and failed to return.
Eels front-rower Richie Fa’aoso could come under the scrutiny of the match review committee after a raised forearm on George Burgess momentarily stopped play late in the first half.
Souths coach Michael Maguire paid tribute to his baby bunnies for stepping up in the absence of key men Adam Reynolds, Greg Inglis and Glenn Stewart.
“Obviously with John [Sutton’s] leadership, he steers the young boys around and they provide a lot of energy,” Maguire said.
“Nathan Brown came in and did a great job there. He come from the back fence and charged into the line and obviously defended the way he did.
“Cam McInnes came on and provided some great energy for the team and came up with the match-winner there.
“Aaron Gray and Luke Keary, he’s working hard on his game and everything that he’s doing. It was great to see that team effort, which was required tonight.”
The Eels recalled playmaker Chris Sandow missed three shots and Reece Robinson missed one.
Parramatta coach Brad Arthur his side’s recent failures in front of the sticks was beginning to be a major concern.
“It might’ve been the difference. We might be two [wins] in a row,” he said.
“I think they can kick. It’s just the moment, isn’t it? Chris kicked eight from eight last week.
“It’s the pressure surrounding. Everyone knows we’re desperate for wins and those kicks become a little more difficult, a little harder than they probably need to be.”
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