The Dyldam Parramatta Eels NYC side have notched up back-to-back high-scoring wins, defeating the South Sydney Rabbitohs 40-26 at Pirtek Stadium.
It wasn’t an ideal start for the Eels after turning the ball over from the kick-off, though despite the early mishap, they were able to regain control and score first through Josh Aloiai – the conversion attempt successful from captain Zach Dockar-Clay.
Parramatta crossed again just three minutes later off the back of a penalty, with Leva Li crossing in the corner after a fresh set of six in the Rabbitoh’s half. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful from Zach Dockar-Clay with the kick hitting the post.
Tom Hughes was able to fire one back for the Bunnies when a one-on-one opportunity close to the line was capitalised on by the Rabbitohs winger – the conversion attempt was unsuccessful from Irae Simone as the Eels led 10-4.
Parramatta went back on the attack following a deflection off a Souths player going into touch from the kick-off, with the resulting set of six allowing Leva Li to cross for his second of the night. The conversion was unsuccessful from Dockar-Clay as he struck the post for a second time.
Jordan Muna extended the Eels lead with a try directly under the posts after receiving an offload from a tackle that had the Souths attention, with Dockar-Clay converting to extend the lead to 20-4.
Eden Syme was sent to the bin for ten and left the Bunnies vunerable. Quick hands across the field stretched the out-manned Souths and allowed Halauafu Lavaka to score in the right-hand corner, with the conversion missed but still leading 24-4.
The Rabbitohs struck back towards the end of the first half with a late try to centre John Olive, the conversion attempt successful but the maintained a 24-10 lead heading into the half-time break.
South Sydney were able to score back-to-back tries for the first time tonight as a grubber into the in-goal was misread by the Eels fullback, allowing Brad Wall snatch an early try in the second half – the conversion attempt was successful from Devon Makaore-Boyce to trail 24-16.
A couple of quick tries for Tyrell Fuimaono and a third for Leva Li extended the Eels lead to 36-16 with Dockar-Clay’s sharp shooting converting both attempts.
The Rabbitohs were all but done and signaled that a comeback was on the cards after bringing the match back to within 10 points with ten minutes remaining in the match.
Parramatta weren’t about to let the lead slip, with Halauafu Lavaka running in his second for the night in the 77th minute, leaving the Blue and Gold 40-26 victors.
NYC Parramatta Eels - 40 (L Li 3, H Lavaka 2, T Fuimaono, J Aloiai, J Muna tries; Zach Dockar-Clay: 4/8 goals)
def.
South Sydney Rabbitohs - 26 (D Makaore-Boyce, T Hughes, B Wall, C Mcinnes, J Olive; Irae Simone: 1/2 goals, D Makaore-Boyce: 2/3 goals)
