Parramatta Eels vs Cronulla Sharks: NRL live scores, blog

Have certainly blogged much more interesting games. That one was actually picked by many as the game to watch this round. All I saw was errors and inept attack. Sharks set for a potential wake-up call against the Storm next week. Same for the Eels given that the Tigers will be fired up after they were shafted by the refs against Brisbane.

MATCH REPORT: An injury to fullback Jarryd Hayne has added to Parramatta’s woes as they slumped to a disappointing 14-4 loss to a determined Cronulla outfit on Saturday night. It was a dour contest, with neither side looking all too threatening in attack. In fact, both sides only posted one try each, with Chad Townsend’s boot the difference between the two teams. It was revealed at half time that the Parramatta outfit were immediately disadvantaged from the outset of tonight’s match after Jarryd Hayne picked up a hip flexor injury whilst striking the opening kick-off. Ill-discipline was Parramatta’s greatest enemy in the opening half, however, with the Sharks enjoying a 5-0 penalty count in the first forty. Cronulla opened the scoring courtesy of a Townsend penalty goal. The halfback added to his points tally minutes later when a deft Paul Gallen offload saw Jason Bukuya burst through a hole and link with a sprinting Townsend who was in support. The Sharks held a commanding 8-0 lead after 17 minutes, yet the Eels responded swiftly when a left-edge raid saw Kirisome Auva’a crash over in the 20th minute. A penalty for offside in the 25th minute saw Cronulla extend their lead by two before an illegal strip by Nathan Brown handed the Sharks a 12-4 lead at the break. Parramatta finally received a penalty of their own in the 53rd minute and had a series of chances to mount a comeback in the second half. However, much like their opposition, the Eels looked clunky in attack and rarely threatened to break the line. As a result, a 73rd minute Townsend penalty goal was the only points of the second stanza, seeing the Sharks claim an uninspiring 14-4 win. Next week, the Eels search for their first win of the year against a fired up Tigers outfit on Easter Monday while the Sharks brace for the Defending Premiers on Friday night.

FULL TIME - The Cronulla Sharks have held on for an uninspiring 14-4 win over the Parramatta Eels in a dour contest at ANZ Stadium. Thoughts on the game Roarers, that is if you are still awake after that snoozefest?

78' - A lovely clearing kick by Trent Hodkinson sees Will Smith pinned by two defenders five out from his own line. Daniel Alvaro charges past the 30 before Mitchell Moses kicks long. No real trick shots from Parramatta - they have conceded defeat by the looks of things. Just two minutes remaining now. EELS - 4 SHARKS - 14

76' - The Eels spread it left, Kirisome Auva'a is taken by Jesse Ramien who tries to send him over the touch line. Auva'a tries to link with Josh Hoffman but it goes over the sideline. EELS - 4 SHARKS - 14

74' - Andrew Fifita drops it off the hit-up on the kick off! Eels have a chance! EELS - 4 SHARKS - 14

73' - PENALTY GOAL SUCCESSFUL Chad Townsend EELS - 4 SHARKS - 14

72' - Will Smith dances across the field before being taken 20 out and the fill-in fullback earns the penalty. Corey Norman tries a no-look pass but it goes straight to James Segeyaro who races away! He is taken 40 out from the Parramatta line and Valentine Holmes is there to take a run. The Sharks now earn themselves a penalty after Kenny Edwards is pinned for stripping the ball from Ricky Leutele. Cronulla shoot for 2. EELS - 4 SHARKS - 12

68' - Wade Graham forces a repeat set and the Eels really need to defend well here as another try would likely seal the result. Chad Townsend passes to Andrew Fifita off the restart and gives it FORWARD! A lazy and unforgivable error! EELS - 4 SHARKS - 12

66' - Another average set from the Eels and the Sharks survive quite comfortably. They begin to work their way out of their own end before Parramatta cruel their own chances by conceding a penalty. Cronulla start their set on halfway. Paul Gallen charges past the 30 metre mark on the 2nd. James Segeyaro then gives it to Matt Prior who is taken 20 out. James Segeyaro puts in a cheeky grubber on the last but Parramatta dive on it. EELS - 4 SHARKS - 12

63' - The Sharks earn a penalty now and begin their set 30 out through a Wade Graham run. Ricky Leutele runs from dummy-half and it tackled 20 out. Jayden Brailey sends it to Andrew Fifita who is taken before playing the ball quickly to give Brailey time to send it to a charging Paul Gallen who is trapped 5 out. Chad Townsend grubbers on the last and Cameron King pounces on it and a penalty is rewarded to Parramatta who begin their set on their own 30. EELS - 4 SHARKS - 12

60' - Nathan Brown and Beau Scott take strong runs for the Eels before Daniel Alvaro makes his way past halfway on the 3rd. Kenny Edwards is tackled 35 out from the Sharks line on the fourth. Corey Norman bombs on the last but Josh Dugan pounces on it and is now down with a potential injury. He copped a knee to the head but will be alright. Andrew Fifita fights his way to the 40 metre mark before a fantastic clearing kick by Trent Hodkinson sees Josh Hoffman trapped 5 out from his own line. The Parramatta backs continue to struggle to make metres in this set before Tim Mannah takes it past the 30. Mitchell Moses risks it and kicks early but Josh Dugan cleans it up and is taken on his own 20. EELS - 4 SHARKS - 12

58' - 20 metre restart for the Sharks as Kurt Capewell takes the opening run. Andrew Fifita then charges at the line before Matt Prior takes it past the 40 metre mark. Wade Graham runs past the halfway line before Paul Gallen surges past the Parramatta 40 metre line. Jayden Brailey scoots out of dummy-half and finds Chad Townsend who grubbers inside and the hooker snatches it and scores... but he was offside! Penalty Eels. EELS - 4 SHARKS - 12

57' - Parramatta have another shot at the Sharks line after a penalty was blown when Bevan French was taken mid-air by Sosaia Feki. Corey Norman puts in a deft grubber as Bevan French sprints through but the winger can't ground it. EELS - 4 SHARKS - 12

54' - Nathan Brown charges at the Sharks line off the drop out and is taken 30 out. Mitchell Moses shifts right to Will Smith who turns Michael Jennings inside on the second. Beau Scott takes it towards the posts and is taken just shy of the line. Mitchell Moses grubbers and it sits up perfectly for Chad Townsend. Pretty pedestrian attack from Parramatta. EELS - 4 SHARKS - 12

53' - A massive cheer erupts in ANZ Stadium as Nathan Brown earns Parramatta their first penalty of the night. They kick off their set 25 out from the Cronulla line. Manu Ma'u gets them into the 20 metre zone and earns his team another penalty. Daniel Alvaro takes a customary hit-up before several other players attempt to break the Sharks' line with no avail. The grubber on the last is taken by Josh Dugan who is forced in-goal. EELS - 4 SHARKS - 12

49' - Ricky Leutele was over the line but has dropped it after a hand from Michael Jennings! EELS - 4 SHARKS - 12

48' - Daniel Alvaro is taken easily off the scrum and Manu Ma'u also struggles to make metres after slipping over on the 2nd. Nathan Brown takes the ball up and comes up with an error. Sharks with a full set to come 30 out. Strong defence from the Eels early in the set sees the Sharks still 30 out on the 2nd. Josh Dugan drifts across field before linking with Jesse Ramien who is tackled on his 20. Wade Graham comes up with a fantastic option on the last, he grubbers short and forces the drop out. EELS - 4 SHARKS - 12