Round 17
Penrith Panthers 38 d. Parramatta Eels 34

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

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

Eels show steel in Toyota Cup victory
Mon July 6, 2009
Source: www.parraeels.com.au

The Pirtek Parramatta Eels put to bed their Toyota Cup capitulation of last week, coming from behind to score a hard-fought 40-30 victory over Penrith at CUA Stadium.

The Panthers dominated the early proceedings, scoring two easy tries to the Eels one to lead 12-6 after 20 minutes, however the Eels fought back to lead 24-12 at half time.

But after opening the scoring in the second half the Eels got the wobbles, allowing the Panthers back into the contest at 28-24.

However the visitors regained their composure to secure their fifth win of the season ten minutes out from full time.

The Eels got off to a disastrous start, with Panthers half Sam Jones scoring under the posts on just their second set of six. Sterling Seijka converted for a 6-nil lead.

Albert Kelly got the Eels on the board after eight minutes, an attempted grubber ricocheting off the legs of the defender and straight back to the halfback who stretched out to score.

The Panthers were proving deadly close to the line, with Seijka stepping his way over for their second try on their next trip inside the Eels 20.

By the midpoint of the first half the Eels had fought their way back to level terms, TK Amosa splitting the defence to score a great individual try, Nathan Gardner's conversion locking it up at 12-apiece.

They then took the lead off a break down the left touchline, Rory Brien finding an unmarked Taniela Lasalo on the inside who improved the position to put the Eels out to an 18-12 lead.

The left reaped rewards again for the Eels three minutes out from the break, Ryan Morgan showing great strength to touch down just inside the corner post despite the attention of two defenders.

Gardner then converted from the sideline, putting the Eels ahead 24-12 at half time.

After a firey start to the second half the Eels stretched their lead with Lasalo on the spot to grab his second off a bouncing ball from a kick.

At 28-12 down the Panthers needed a spark and they found it through gigantic prop Sam McKendry, who bullied his way over the line to score in the 55th minute. Seijka converted to make it 28-18.

The comeback continued 90 seconds later when Jesse Sene-Lefao charged over from a break, with Seijka's fourth successful conversion narrowing the gap to four points.

The Eels received a let off when a Seijka inspired touch down was called back for off side, and they turned the tables with 16 minutes left to play when Anthony Mitchell and Domenic Nasso combined to score a 90 metre break out try.

Mitchel Johnson then barged his way over for a 69th minute try, with Gardner's conversion making it safe for the Eels at 40-24.

The Panthers got a late consolation, hooker and captain Luke Clydesdale scoring for Seijka to convert for a final score of 40-30.

TOYOTA CUP
Pirtek Parramatta Eels 40 (Taniela Lasalo 2, Albert Kelly, TK Amosa, Ryan Morgan, Domenic Nasso, Mitchel Johnson tries; Nathan Gardner 6 goals from 7 attempts) defeated Penrith 30 (Sam Jones, Stirling Seijka, Sam McKendry, Jesse Sene-Lefao, Luke Clydesdale tries; Stirling Seijka 5 goals from 5 attempts) At CUA Stadium.

NRL Stats: Panthers 38 v Eels 34
NYC Stats: Panthers 30 v Eels 40


Panthers down Eels in thriller
Mon July 6, 2009
Source: www.parraeels.com.au

The Pirtek Parramatta Eels have gone down to the Penrith Panthers 38-34 in a 13-try Telstra Premiership slugfest at CUA Stadium.

Attack was always going to be at the forefront in a match that saw seven tries - six of which came in just 21 minutes - scored in the first half.

Panthers State of Origin centre Michael Jennings marked his return from injury with two of his own before both sides headed to the sheds.

Jennings grabbed another after the break to bring up his hat-trick, before setting up the winning try with four minutes left on the clock.

In the finish the Panthers scored seven tries to six, kicking it off with a converted Tim Grant try which got them off to the perfect start in just the fourth minute of the match.

However the Eels, enjoying the Sunday afternoon sun for the second straight week, started working the offloads and got their reward with a Daniel Mortimer break putting 50-gamer Joel Reddy in for their first try after 18 minutes.

Luke Burt's conversion locked it up at 6-apiece.

A Matt Keating 40-20 - Parramatta's first of 2009 - gave the Eels territory and after a few false starts they got their second try on the ensuing set, a Todd Lowrie flick pass putting Mortimer over to make it 12-6.

A Luke Walsh break laid the platform for the Panthers to level nearing the half hour mark, Michael Jennings splitting the defence of Reddy and Nathan Hindmarsh on the next play to score wide out. Walsh then converted for a 12-all scoreline.

As if stung into action Hindmarsh did it all himself to score the Eels third just two minutes later, breaking the would be tackles of Paul Aiton and Frank Pritchard before running 15 metres to the tryline.

The end to end showed no signs of slowing up when Joseph Paulo scored in the corner for the Panthers seven minutes out from the break, Walsh's missed conversion leaving the home side two points adrift at 18-16.

A bad Eels read on a Walsh bomb gave Jennings his second just before the break, Wade Graham soccering through the bouncing ball for Jennings to win the race to score for a 22-18 half time lead.

The second half was just seven minutes old when Jarryd Hayne brushed off Graham to make amends, the fullback scoring wide out to level it up at 22-all.

Panthers lock Nathan Smith continued the tit for tat soon after, reaching out to score his sides fifth try and restore the half time lead.

Hayne and Jeff Robson combined to put Luke Burt in under the posts to edge the Eels back into the lead on the hour mark, Burt's conversion making the score 28-26 in the Eels favour.

The trading of blows continued when Jennings bagged his third try 18 minutes from time, Walsh's conversion putting the Panthers back into the lead at 32-28.

But still the Eels weren't done, and keeping it alive in the tackle they laid it on for Mortimer to score his second try, with Burt converting to put his side back out to a two point lead at 34-32 with eight and a half minutes left to play.

The Panthers scored the match winner four minutes from time, Jennings laying it on for debutant Junior Tia Kilifi to score in the corner.

Walsh then put it over the black dot for a memorable 38-34 victory.

TELSTRA PREMIERSHIP
Penrith Panthers 38 (Michael Jennings 3, Tim Grant, Joseph Paulo, Nathan Smith, Junior Tia Kilifi tries; Luke Walsh 5 goals from 7 attempts) defeated the Pirtek Parramatta Eels 34 (Daniel Mortimer 2, Joel Reddy, Nathan Hindmarsh, Jarryd Hayne, Luke Burt tries; Luke Burt 5 goals from 6 attempts) At CUA Stadium. Crowd: 16845 Half Time: Penrith 22-18.

NRL Stats: Panthers 38 v Eels 34
NYC Stats: Panthers 30 v Eels 40

Tue June 30, 2009
• Eels Unchanged For Panthers
  

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