The Parramatta Eels have snapped a four-game losing streak on Easter Monday at Homebush, coming from behind to beat the Wests Tigers by four points.
Neither side were able to dominate the contest, but it was attacking all the way with both sides struggling to increase their defence to a level approaching acceptable for much of the match, although it was particularly the case in the first half.
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In the end, it was the Eels creative players getting it done in the final 20 minutes, although they certainly had the rub of the green with every factor going their way.
Corey Norman was solid for much of the contest, while both their edges looked threatening against a vulnerable Tigers defensive line, which is something Ivan Cleary needs to work on with his side in a hurry.
The linking player for Parramatta was Clint Gutherson, who seemed to be involved in everything on both ends of the park, driving the blue and gold to victory.
In what could be Mitchell Moses’ final game for the Tigers, he had a solid showing and scored a try himself, but will be filthy he couldn’t get over the line, with some poor attacking options at the end of the game, including the final set ending in a kick leading to a seven-tackle set for Brad Arthur’s men.
James Tedesco had a staring display for the Tigers, while Matt McIlwrick seemed to pop up in all the right places and for the first 60 minutes at least, they won the forward battle.
But playing 80 minutes is key and the Eels managed to stay in touching distance right to the final when they scored three tries on the back of an incredible momentum run.
Despite the fact the Tigers took the lead into the halftime break it was the Eels opening the scoring down the left edge with their first use of the footy.
A shift from inside of their own half, including a fantastic final pass from Clint Gutherson put Semi Radradra into a 2-on-1 situation, before he passed inside for Michael Jennings to score under the posts.
they could have easily had a second try on the board and been up by a big margin early, but it wasn’t to be as the Tigers hit back with a raid from James Tedesco, followed by an inside pass for Mitchell Moses who streaked away to score.
The Eels would get themselves back into the lead with a soft try to Kirisome Auva’a, but if we are talking about soft tries, the way the Tigers got back in front five minutes later through Sauaso Sue was the height of poor defence.
The Tigers extended their lead right on the bell with a lovely kick from Jack Littlejohn finding an almost unmarked Kevin Naiqama in the corner who scored.
It was a tough slog to start the second half before Matt McIlwrick utilised a good attacking set from the Tigers to send them up by two converted tries, jumping out of dummy half to score.
The Eels looked well and truly out of the contest but found a way to fight back in, with their forwards getting into the contest led by a dominant performance from Nathan Brown and Siosaia Vave.
Their strong running allowed the Eels to score two tries down the right edge within five minutes of each other as Kirisome Auva’a scored off a Brad Takairaingi kick before Josh Hoffman scored in the corner off a shift right.
Still two points behind, it was the left edge striking next. David Nofoaluma dropped a ball on the attack, allowing Michael Jennings to run 70 metres, before a few plays set up Semi Radradra to run over on the left.
The Tigers had attacking opportunities into the last ten minutes, but none of them were fantastic and they failed to find a try.
Next week, the Eels have an important battle of the west at home against the Penrith Panthers, while the Tigers will host the Bulldogs in a game where both teams will be desperate to pick up wins and make a statement.
At Homebush on Easter Monday though, the Eels scoring three unanswered tries to come from behind and beat the Tigers.
Tries: Eels (5), Tigers (4)
Conversions: Eels (3/5), Tigers (3/4)
Possession: Eels (49%), Tigers (51%)
Completions: Eels (23/31), Tigers (28/36)
All runs: Eels (177), Tigers (174)
All run metres: Eels (1672), Tigers (1790)
Line breaks: Eels (5), Tigers (4)
Offloads: Eels (9), Tigers (13)
Tackles: Eels (316), Tigers (295)
Missed tackles: Eels (38), Tigers (23)
Penalties: Eels (3), Tigers (4)
Errors: Eels (12), Tigers (12)
Parramatta Eels 26
Wests Tigers 22
Kaks
Roar Guru
I was at the game and couldnt help but laugh at the diabolical 'scrum' the Tigers tried to pack at the end. It was like a visual metaphor for the club. They had about 13 seconds to pack a Scrum to give them one last chance at a win, only to be unable to organise who went where before time ran out. I was watching thinking they would have about 8 seconds to mount one last hail mary play, only to end up with egg on their face. Comical.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Hi Max, Yeah tipping seven stings a bit. Damn Tigers haha. Jury still out on the Cowboys for mine. The Raiders looked strong though, but they need to beat some stronger opposition - Manly need week will be a good test for them. Parramatta, for mine won because the Tigers went to sleep in the final 20 minutes. It was an interesting game because of how violent the momentum swings were, and one went the Eels favour at just the right time.
Maestro
Guest
Not to mention the absence of the bin when the Tigers were in front , Tedesco streaked them only to be held down in the tackle stopping a near certain try - the sin bin - never heard of it
andrew
Guest
5 line breaks against the Tigers. Usually that is a good number in a match but against that dreadful Tigers backline defence (which Taylor said he had fixed), it is actually an under performance. The Raiders and co would have put 60 on the Tigers again yesterday which I think highlights the gap in the league between the Raiders/Storm/Sharks and the rest.
Moonshot
Guest
The NRL honouring the weekend of Jesus comeback with many comebacks of their own. Of course Cummins was involved in one and the 50-50 decisions went to Parra when they were behind (though to be fair there werent many of them this time) as Tigers fell over. And of course the decisions went to the Tigers when Parra got in front. But bizarrely Tedesco was coat hangered in the 77th minute but did not get the penalty. The Fox commentators ignored it - did I miss something >
Deano70
Guest
The Tigers are diabolical. A nice first half of football, albeit, with a few too many mistakes. Still they beat parra up the middle well and truly. It shows that there is some talent amongst the roster. What they lack is mental toughness. They shut up shop and moved away from the go forward to go sideways attack. Going sideways doesn't work for anyone. It stuffs the ruck speed (which was really outstanding in the first half) and limits attacking options, a number of times in the second half you could have thrown a blanket over the tigers, it didn't happen in the first half, they took their own chances away. Good structure is the basis of any good football team, there's been a lot of talk about play it as you see it footy, but you lose the structure all you see is a mess!! Brad Arthur and Parramatta can't take anything from yesterday's game, they didn't win it, a lack of toughness and resolve lost it for the tigers
kk
Roar Pro
Hi Scott, Commiserations to Greg and yourself on your 'seven'. At the weekend three teams gave notice that the future will only get better. Manly and Cowboys lost but regained that most priceless commodity of confidence in their ability to compete. Raiders and Knights beware. Parra won with ability and team spirit co-ordinating to present a second half exhibition rather than recovery which was a pleasure to witness. In the days of my youth I would make the trek from Coogee to Cumberland to watch Parra v Tigers knowing that both would give it everything. I supported neither club. The full- frontals and methods employed in complying with the rules had a degree of comedy. Hard Stuff. Still is. Always will be. Parra are on the rise. Under the guidance of Bernie Gurr and Coach Arthur I predict a premiership by 2022. The scary part...it won't stop there.
John
Guest
Fair comment but too early to judge Pedro. Moses, Woods & Tedesco are on his watch, all local juniors and the future of the club. In Justin I trust.
Pedro Secco
Guest
Justin Pascoe said he would not sit by and let the Tigers drift away from the top eight, hence the main reason he and the board had to cut Jason Taylor after 1win from 3 games, Justin get used to it son!!!!