The Parramatta Eels NYC side have come away with a convincing 36-14 victory over the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium tonight.
The Eels struck first through fullback Anthony Layoun in the sixth minute of the clash.
The Blue & Gold built plenty of pressure early, and after forcing a repeat set after a deft kick by hooker Denzal Tonise, the ball shifted through the hands to find Layoun, who powered his way over the line out wide for the opening try.
The following set off the kick off saw the Eels strike again. An early spread inside their own half found winger Greg Leleisiuao with space to move, and the winger tippy toed his way down the sideline, before fending off the fullback in cover defence to score under the posts, giving the Eels an early 10-0 lead.
However an error off the kick off gave the Bulldogs the prime opportunity to strike back, and they did so through winger Blake Clayton. The winger was on the end of a backline shift to dive over in the corner for a converted try in the twelfth minute.
The Bulldogs struck again in the 23rd minute of the clash, with a near identical play to their opening try. Clayton diving over in the corner for his second of the night to level the scores.
It took a big individual effort from forward Oregon Kaufusi to put the Eels back in front I the 32nd minute of play, when the back rower carried a handful of defenders over the line with his strong charge.
Another set close to the Bulldogs line reaped rewards, with Mitch Butfield running a strong line close to the try line to cross over untouched for a four pointer before half time.
The Eels taking a 20-10 lead into the sheds after the opening 40 minutes.
The Eels struck first in the second half, with winger Haze Dunster showing some skilful work to plant a try in the corner. With plenty of work to do, and little space to move, the winger somehow managed to plant the ball over the try line before being bundled into touch.
The Eels went over again in the 52nd minute, with utility Reed Mahoney finding space to move down the short side, offloading to Layoun close to the line to dive over for his second of the evening.
Half Dylan Brown crossed for his first try in the NYC in the 58th minute, slicing through the defence close to the line, extending the Eels lead to 36-10.
The Bulldogs struck back in the 70th minute of the clash when centre Morgan Harper made a break inside his own half before running 50m down field.
The centre was pulled down by Leleisiuao’s cover defence one metre out from the try line, but the hooker barged his way over at the next play the ball to score.
Despite some enterprising play, the score remained unchanged in the final 10 minutes, with the Eels NYC side securing a 36-14 victory.
Parramatta Eels 36 (Tries: Anthony Layoun (2), Greg Leleisiuao, Oregon Kaufusi, Mitch Butfield, Haze Dunster; Goals: Dylan Brown 4/6)
Def
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 14 (Try: Blake Clayton (2), Reuben Taylor; Goals: Adam Keighran 1/2)
