The Parramatta Eels have trampled the Newcastle Knights 50-12 in their Round 23 NYC clash at ANZ Stadium.
The Eels got off to the perfect start with John Fonua crossing in just the 6th minute. The Eels went to their right edge with Fonua looping around the back and taking a cut out pass from Dylan Brown for the winger to go through untouched.
Brown was unable to add the two and the Eels led 4-0.
The Knights struck back in the 19th minute through back-rower Brodie Jones with Kurtis Dark adding the extras and giving Newcastle a 6-4 lead.
After 28 minutes and an extended period of pressure, Newcastle halfback Hayden Loughrey sliced through close to the line and Matt Cooper converted to give the Knights a 12-4 lead.
Just seven minutes before half time and the Eels roared back to life with Noel Aukafolau crossing on the left edge. Brown was unable to convert from touch and the Eels trailed 12-8.
In the 37th minute Mitch Butfield cracked the Newcastle line and Brown’s conversion gave the Eels a 14-12 lead.
On the stroke of half time the Eels surged ahead when Brown sliced through on half way and found a flying Reed Mahoney with a flick pass to cross to the left of the uprights.
Brown added the extras and the Eels headed to the sheds with a 20-12 lead.
Eels back-rower Tangi Hokai got the ball rolling in the second half when he crossed under the posts after collecting an Anthony Layoun offload close to the line.
Brown converted from in front and the Eels had a 26-12 lead after 53 minutes.
Haze Dunster gave the Eels a further boost when he scored from the ensuing kick-off. Brown’s conversion gave the Eels a 32-12 lead.
In the 60th minute Fonua crossed for his second of the afternoon with the winger scooping up a deft Dylan Brown grubber. The Eels halfback added the two and the Blue and Gold jumped out to 38-12.
The Eels were in again in the 69th minute when prop Sean Keppie crashed over under the sticks from close range. Brown converted from in front and the Eels had moved to a 44-12 lead.
Dunster grabbed his second try six minutes from full time, running off a cut-out ball from Reed Mahoney. Brown was unable to convert from touch but the Eels still led 48-12.
In the 79th minute the Eels were awarded a penalty 30 metres out and right in front with Dylan Brown converting the shot at goal.
The Eels, running out 50-12 winners.
Parramatta Eels 50 (Tries: Fonua (3), Aukafolau, Butfield, Mahoney, Hokai, Dunster, Keppie. Goals: Brown 7/10)
def
Newcastle Knights 12 (Tries: Jones, Loughrey. Goals: Dark 1/1, Cooper 1/1)
