The Parramatta Eels have bounced back from consecutive losses in the Holden Cup to record a 30 to 16 victory over Cronulla at Sharks Stadium. Winger Sam Manuleleua a stand out scoring 2 tries to help move his side within striking distance of the NYC top 8.
Coach Andrew Webster crediting the teams toughness to securing the 2 competition points away from home.
Biggest thing for us was playing tough in the second half and completing our sets. We did that I think at around 85%, which I was really pleased with. They had a lot of sets on our goal line but we were just smarter with the ball and we keep them scoreless which is a great achievement for the boys. Webster said.
The Young Eels were off to a tremendous start with an early try to prop Diamond Charlie. Showing he has much more than a flashy name, Charlie proved the perfect support player to capitalize on backrower Sean Jacksons break on the left edge.
Showing great composure despite early success, the Eels continued to build pressure through a strong kick chase. That discipline paying off with tries to halves partners Sam Gorman and Mark Daoud in quick succession to extend the teams lead to 16 nil.
The last time these teams met the match ended in a 30 all draw, so it seemed only a matter of time before the Sharks staged a fight back. 3 tries in 16 minutes to Rea Pittman, Create Waaka and Faamanu Brown saw scores level heading into halftime.
A repeat set gave the Blue and Golds their first opportunity of the second half and they made the most of it. Winger Sam Manuleleua rewarded for a series of strong charges with a try in the 43rd minute. A brief melee between the sides brought some fire to the clash but the Eels continued to win the only battle that matters the one on the scoreboard. Hooker Zach Dockar-Clay crashing over to extend Parramattas lead to 26-16.
The teams game plan of pressure football paying dividends as repeat sets continued to breakdown the Sharks defence. Sam Manuleleua, otherwise known as BBQ Sam to those around the club, the man to reap the rewards, crossed in the corner for his second. Coach Andrew Webster predicting the best is yet to come from his big winger.
Sam is a great kid, he is really raw at the moment but what is really exciting is that he is probably 2 or 3 years away from his best. He can run it back as hard as anyone. Webster said.
The win setting up a mouth-watering clash with the 10th placed South Sydney Rabbitohs next weekend at ANZ Stadium.
EELS 30 (Manuleleua 2, Charlie, Dauod, Gorman, Dockar-Clay tries; Gorman 3 goals.)
def
SHARKS (Pittman, Waaka, Brown tries; Rollinson 2 goals)
Coach Andrew Webster crediting the teams toughness to securing the 2 competition points away from home.
Biggest thing for us was playing tough in the second half and completing our sets. We did that I think at around 85%, which I was really pleased with. They had a lot of sets on our goal line but we were just smarter with the ball and we keep them scoreless which is a great achievement for the boys. Webster said.
The Young Eels were off to a tremendous start with an early try to prop Diamond Charlie. Showing he has much more than a flashy name, Charlie proved the perfect support player to capitalize on backrower Sean Jacksons break on the left edge.
Showing great composure despite early success, the Eels continued to build pressure through a strong kick chase. That discipline paying off with tries to halves partners Sam Gorman and Mark Daoud in quick succession to extend the teams lead to 16 nil.
The last time these teams met the match ended in a 30 all draw, so it seemed only a matter of time before the Sharks staged a fight back. 3 tries in 16 minutes to Rea Pittman, Create Waaka and Faamanu Brown saw scores level heading into halftime.
A repeat set gave the Blue and Golds their first opportunity of the second half and they made the most of it. Winger Sam Manuleleua rewarded for a series of strong charges with a try in the 43rd minute. A brief melee between the sides brought some fire to the clash but the Eels continued to win the only battle that matters the one on the scoreboard. Hooker Zach Dockar-Clay crashing over to extend Parramattas lead to 26-16.
The teams game plan of pressure football paying dividends as repeat sets continued to breakdown the Sharks defence. Sam Manuleleua, otherwise known as BBQ Sam to those around the club, the man to reap the rewards, crossed in the corner for his second. Coach Andrew Webster predicting the best is yet to come from his big winger.
Sam is a great kid, he is really raw at the moment but what is really exciting is that he is probably 2 or 3 years away from his best. He can run it back as hard as anyone. Webster said.
The win setting up a mouth-watering clash with the 10th placed South Sydney Rabbitohs next weekend at ANZ Stadium.
EELS 30 (Manuleleua 2, Charlie, Dauod, Gorman, Dockar-Clay tries; Gorman 3 goals.)
def
SHARKS (Pittman, Waaka, Brown tries; Rollinson 2 goals)
