- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
The Parramatta Eels have claimed their first victory since their salary cap penalty was handed down holding on for a 20-18 win over the Newcastle Knights.
A win somewhat soured for the Eels following injuries to Kieran Foran and Brad Takairangi.
Parramatta were the first to score on ten minutes after a Semi Radradra gallop down the left ended with Foran held up just a metre short of the line. Only for a quick shift to the right to find Beau Scott who skipped inside his defenders to open the scoring. Michael Gordon converting to put the Eels 6-0 up early.
It was double delight for Parramatta on 18 minutes as quick hands saw the ball find Radradra who somehow avoided the sideline and got the ball down over the line despite having a Newcastle man on top of him. Conversion this time unsuccessful as the Eels lead 10-0.
The Knights would issue their response in the 24th minute with Sione Mata’utia able to muscle his way over the line on the right. Hodkinson failing to convert to make it 10-4 Eels.
A break straight from the kick-off set up back to back tries for the Knights as Pauli Pauli found the try line against his former club. The big forward able to brush aside Gordon on the line with the Eels defence stretched. Hodkinson again off target with his kick.
With all the momentum, Newcastle would head into the break on top as Jake Mamo broke down the line and found Nathan Ross on his inside who crossed over. Hodkinson nailing the conversion to give the Knights a 14-10 lead at halftime.
Following the break, the momentum remained with the Knights as the Eels struggled to cope without Kieran Foran who was forced from the field late in the first half with a shoulder injury.
Despite routinely threatening, the Knights didn’t back themselves to break the Parramatta line, twice opting for the two points with penalties deep in Eels territory. Back to back Hodkinson conversion putting them 18-10 up in the 55th minute.
Parramatta would ultimately make them pay as debutant Bevan French darted over down the right in the 59th minute. Gordon failing to convert, but the Eels were within sniffing distance at 18-14 down.
Smelling blood, Parramatta forward Ma’u would offload in the set following the kick-off, finding Takairangi who himself found Gordon on his inside. The fullback showing enough pace to dodge his way over the line. Gordon converting his own try to put the Eels ahead 20-18 on 63 minutes.
And that’s how the scoreline would stay with Newcastle centre Ross denied a try on the line with minutes to go by French. The debutant winger able to slide his way under the ball to stop it getting down after a slicing run from Ross.
A valiant showing by the Knights but again it’s not enough as the Eels find some silver lining after a horrid month.
Final Score:
Newcastle Knights 18
Parramatta Eels 20
Two teams having seasons to forget face off as the Newcastle Knights host the Parramatta Eels on Monday night. Join us on The Roar from 7pm AEST for live scores from the match and a blog of the game.
It’s been a miserable season so far for the Knights who have managed just one win and a draw after 11 games.
Despite edging out West Tigers by two points in Round 6 there’s been very little to smile about for Newcastle fans.
After being held scoreless in consecutive games losing to the Roosters 38-0 and Sharks 62-0, the Knights showed some fight last week as they were beaten by the Tigers 20-12.
Despite managing a few more wins than their opponents tonight, it’s been a similarly devastating season so far for the Eels.
Once their current points are stripped for salary cap breaches, they will likely sit below the Knights on the ladder making a positive result tonight crucial.
After losing to a clinical Storm outfit last week, and losing late to the Rabbitohs, a win would do nicely for an Eels side losing the desire to fight.
There are two big absentees for the Knights this week with Dane Gagai missing through Queensland duties and young half Brock Lamb sidelined for eight weeks with an ankle injury.
In their place Jaelen Feeney and Sam Mataora return to the squad. The only expected change for the Eels will be the replacement of Origin-bound Michael Jennings with Vai Toutai.
Who will start to turn a horrible season around with a win tonight? Join us on The Roar from 7pm AEST to find out as the Newcastle Knights play the Parramatta Eels.
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.