The Dyldam Parramatta Eels Holden Cup side has been defeated by the Wests Tigers 42-10 this afternoon in their Easter Monday clash at ANZ Stadium.
The first points were scored after an error from the Eels, which gave the Wests Tigers an attacking set early in the half and Wests Tigers lock Tyler Cassel scored under the posts and with a successful conversion from Eli Levido, taking a 6-0 lead after 10 minutes.
Shortly after, the Wests Tigers made an error, which saw Eels centure Tui Oloapu intercept and run 40 metres up field. Dylan Izzard then put up a bomb which was thought to be knocked on by the Wests Tigers and then re gathered by Reimis Smith to score. However, the video ref then over turned the call, with the Wests Tigers holding the lead 6-0.
After receiving a penalty, the Wests Tigers made a solid break up the field through JJ Felise, breaking away from the Eels defence and coming just short of the line. Fullback Sione Alofi finished the job in the next play putting the visitors ahead 10-0 in the 36th minute.
Another mistake off the kick off saw the Eels force another Wests Tigers line drop out. Abbas Miski looked to capitalise on the mistake, making a break down the sideline but was held up by some strong Wests Tigers defence. Zach Dockar-Clay put a good grubber in which was batted dead by the visitors, for the Eels to get yet another repeat set in the 29th minute.
The repeat sets finally built enough pressure for the home side to cross for the first time of the game through hooker Alec Bush, taking the score to 10-6 at halftime.
The Eels started the second half with an incomplete set, gifting the visitors good field position. Junior Tatola burst through the Eels defence to put his side 14-6 ahead. Levido’s conversion was successful as the Wests Tigers increased their lead 16-6.
The next try in the 48th minute came as the Wests Tigers went to the short side off a scrum, with Mason Cerruto breaking through the defence and passing to Obed Karwhin who scored in the corner, stretching out the lead to 20-6.
The Wests Tigers were on the board again in the 53rd minute with a try to John Tohi down the right sideline, putting another four points on the board.
The Eels responded with a great kick by Bevan French to put away Nathan Davis, taking the score to 24-10.
A great solo effort by Nathan Davis almost saw the Eels in again, as he side stepped his way through the Wests Tigers defence.
The Wests Tigers were in again through Jacob Liddle going himself from dummy half to put the ball down right next to the posts, extending the lead to 30-10 with less than 14 minutes left on the clock.
Off some more penalties and building pressure, the Wests Tigers scored again in the corner in the 70th minute putting the game out of reach 36-10.
Wests Tigers Captain Te Maire Martin, dummied and went himself to the seal the game for the visitors, defeating the home side 42-10.
