Round 8
Parramatta Eels 28 d. North Queensland Cowboys 18

2009 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: Aus_NZ > National > First Grade Competition: NRL Telstra Premiership

Eels Trump Cowboys 28-18
Sat May 2, 2009
Source: www.parraeels.com.au

The Pirtek Parramatta Eels have scored their third win of the 2009 Telstra Premiership season, defeating the North Queensland Cowboys 28-18 at Parramatta Stadium.

The Eels scored three early tries to establish a 14-nil lead and opened the second half in similar fashion, before holding off a late Cowboys fight back to snap a four game losing streak.

In the finish the Eels scored five tries to three to pick up their first win since round three.

The Eels led 4-nil just two minutes in after a Jonathan Thurston kick was snaffled by Kris Keating, who ran 50 metres before handing off for Joe Galuvao to score in the corner.

Four became eight when the Eels surprised the Cowboys by going the short side on the last, with man of the match Jarryd Hayne touching down one off the ruck to make it 8-nil after 10 minutes.

Hayne was in the thick of the action again two minutes later as the Eels bagged their third try, his switch to fullback paying dividends as he chimed in 45 metres out before sending Matt Keating on an uninterrupted run to the line.

Luke Burt had no problems with the conversion after missing with his first two attempts, putting the Eels out to a 14-nil lead.

It could so easily have been 20-nil on 20 minutes when Hayne showed some individual brilliance to touch down again, picking up a Feleti Mateo chip before kicking and regathering to score. However video referee Sean Hampstead correctly ruled that Hayne had knocked on in the air, denying the try to the vocal disapproval of the 8,104-strong crowd.

The Eels weren't only showing steel in attack, their defence coming to the fore time and again throughout the first half as the Cowboys were regularly forced into mistakes early in the tackle count.

The home side kept their clean sheet into the break, earning a standing ovation from the Thornett Stand on their way to the sheds, before starting the second half almost as quickly as they did the first with a try after seven minutes.

Again it was Hayne in the thick of the action, laying on a cross field kick for a flying Burt who took it clean to score.

Kris Keating converted to put the Eels out to a 20 point lead. He then added a penalty goal to make it 22-nil with half an hour left to play.

The Cowboys made it onto the scoreboard in the 14th minute of the second half, lock Steve Southern burrowing his way over for a Hampstead-awarded try. Thurston converted and the Cowboys were in the contest at 22-6.

Having withstood four consecutive sets on their line the Eels looked to turn defence into attack and attack they did, a breakout down the left hand touchline resulting in a try to Weller Hauraki and a 28-6 lead.

But the Cowboys came again and got their second when Thurston laid on a try under the posts for replacement James Tamou, the halfback converting for a 28-12 scoreline with a quarter hour left to play.

They then got their third with Ben Farrar touching down wide out, with Thurston again converting to narrow the gap to 10 points with a little under seven minutes on the clock.

The Eels got a scare with three minutes forty seconds left on the clock, Ashley Graham touching down off a Thurston kick that went loose in the in goal. However Hampstead ruled that John Williams had taken Burt out in the air, with the Eels earning a relieving penalty.

It was as close as the Cowboys would get to the front, the Eels closing out the match to claim a deserved victory.

The Eels have a round nine bye, their next encounter against Manly on Sunday 17 May at Brookvale Oval.

TELSTRA PREMIERSHIP
Pirtek Parramatta Eels 28 (Joe Galuvao, Jarryd Hayne, Matthew Keating, Luke Burt, Weller Hauraki tries; Kris Keating three goals from three attempts, Luke Burt one goal from three attempts) defeated North Queensland 18 (Steve Southern, James Tamou, Ben Farrar tries; Jonathan Thurston three goals from three attempts) At Parramatta Stadium. Crowd: 8,104


Round 8 NRL Friday Betting Preview From RleagueBetting.com
Fri May 1, 2009
Source: www.rleaguebetting.com

Bookmakers are undecided on the favourite for tonight's clash between the Sea Eagles and the Storm.

Take the $1.99 from Pinnacle Sports of a Melbourne victory - the Storm's defence has been a high standard this year whereas Manly have struggled all over the park. You can also give up 3 points start at Sports Alive and take the $2.20 odds of a Storm victory by 4 or more.

It's hard to see too many points being scored at Brookie, but the line at 34.5 is very low - take the $1.90 for 35 or more points at Sports Alive as both teams look to get their attack on track. Also, favour the $2 odds from Bet365 that no team will score 3 unanswered tries.

Sportingbet are quoting $11 for favourite Billy Slater to be the 1st Try Scorer - a very attractive price considering you can get $8 elsewhere. Sports Alive have excellent value along the three quarter line, with Jamie Lyon at $14, Michael Bani at $16, and Joseph Tomane also at $16. For a roughie, take Adam Blair's price of $51 from Centrebet.

Click Here to Compare Odds on Sea Eagles vs Storm

In tonight's other match, don't be surprised if the Eels turn the tables on an inconsistent Cowboys outfit. There is much better value in SportsBets quote of $2.80 for the Eels than the $1.53 you can get for the Cowboys. Or take the $4.25 odds from IASBet of an Eels victory by 1-12.

Bet365 are providing crazy odds of $2.50 for the Eels to be

first to 10 points - this is excellent value compared to the $2.15 you can get elsewhere. The Eels have also struggled to score points in the 2nd half so it might be worth taking the $2.10 odds - also from Bet365 - that more points will be scored in the 1st Half than the 2nd Half.

Jarryd Hayne looks like he is ready to explode any game now, and a possible move to fullback could be just the tonic needed. Sports Alive will give you $13 for him to be the first try scorer. Meanwhile, Centrebet have an attractive quote of $41 for Carl Webb to be first over the white line.

Click Here to Compare Odds on Eels vs Cowboys

* Note all prices are subject to change

Tue April 28, 2009
• Eels make one forced change with Hindmarsh suspended
  

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