Parramatta have taken a giant step towards getting off the bottom of the NRL ladder with a plucky 24-22 win over the Wests Tigers at ANZ Stadium.
After losing their opening six games of the season, the Eels have recorded back-to-back wins to breathe life into their flailing campaign.
In a closely fought contest in which the lead changed hands seven times, it was Eels second-rower Manu Ma’u who stood out as the unlikely hero with a try and try assist in the second half.
The Eels were down by four points with 11 minutes to go on Sunday when Ma’u powered over off a Corey Norman pass to claim the match-winning try in front of a crowd of 17,555.
The result means the resurgent Tigers have lost consecutive matches for the first time this season, and leaves them outside the top four for the first time in a month.
Parramatta remain in last spot but are level with Manly, Canterbury and North Queensland to move within two victories of the top eight.
After both teams traded penalty goals early, the Tigers broke the game open when Esan Marsters burst into the backfield and found a supporting Corey Thompson in the 25th minute.
But the defensive lapse only spurred the Eels into gear, crossing twice in five minutes through Bevan French and Michael Jennings to steal the ascendancy.
French soared over opposite winger David Nofoaluma to claim his first try of the season, before Jennings took a sublime Mitchell Moses offload on the other side of the field.
Another Marsters penalty on the stroke of halftime reduced the Eels’ lead to two at the break, before a piece of Luke Brooks magic not long after the esumption gave them the lead.
Possessing what Nine Network commentator Phil Gould described as the best no-look pass in the league, the Tigers’ halfback put Matt Eisenhuth between the posts untouched in the 45th minute.
A late Ma’u offload allowed Brad Takairangi to steal back the advantage, which they held for just five minutes before Marshall seized back the initiative by backing up Mahe Fonua.
However, the Eels claimed the lead for good on Mau’s rampaging run, and held on to back up their breakthrough win last week over Manly.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
Throw some caps in there and you could be the Tigers 3HATS. The Moses ball to Jennings was no more or less forward than the Fonua pass to Marshall. The Tigers were given 2 points on half time for a "flop" and then committed no fewer than three flops in the first 10 minutes of the second half - and don't get me started on the Tigers no 13 play and the way he played the ball... The only thing I will agree with is the 10m, but not that one side was offside and the other wasn't. it was that Chechhin was getting his teams back 12 metres and the other ref was barely getting them back 10. It worked both ways. End of the day, the better team clearly won in my opinion. The Tigers are playing better with the ball in the last two weeks than they did in the first 6 weeks, but defence is starting to regress slightly which is what most people predicted.
Fred
Guest
While I don't like seeing two losses in a row, it's still amazing that we're 8 rounds in and yet to lose by more than 2 points!
kk
Guest
It may seem unfair to say in light of the skill required to do so. But, Parra seemingly 'gifted' two easily converted tries to the WT's. In yesteryear whenever the Magpies or the Tigers or the Eels were drawn to meet each other the rectangle was transformed into a battlefield. Only the jumpers have changed. I will not be surprised to see both teams win more than they lose for the rest of the season. That will be a bonus for Rugby league.
Wayne Turner
Guest
A shame about the refs ie: Missing the massive forward pass from Moses to Jennings for a try. Plus,the double standards by the refs all game ie: Parra being off side and holding down ignored,but not when Wests Tigers did it. The refs ruining another game...
Peter Phelps
Guest
Great game Parra, well done