The Parramatta Eels Jersey Flegg side have suffered a 30-10 defeat to the Newcastle Knights Jersey Flegg side in their pre-season trial at Maitland No.1 Sportsground with the home side putting on a second half blitz to score 5 unanswered tries to come away with a twenty point victory.
The Eels put early points on the board when the ball shifted through the hands of their right edge. Second rower Salesi Faingaa charged towards the line before a skilful cut out ball found right winger Ethan Parry crossing over in the corner to put the first points of the game on the board.
The sideline conversion was waved away.
Despite leading on the scoreboard, the young Blue & Gold were the side on the back foot. The Knights had camped their way down field, forcing repeat sets and unforced errors from the Eels saw the Knights have plenty of possession inside the Eels half.
But the young Blue & Gold defence were committed to their defensive task at hand, and repelled the Knights attack.
The Eels eventually managed to keep possession of the ball and it took a well weighted grubber from half Dylan Brown to put the pressure back on the Knights.
The young Blue & Gold were able to convert their opportunity with centre Noel Aukafolau drifting back on the inside and stepping and powering his way through the line to crash under the posts for a try. The centre rewarded for a big individual effort that saw the Eels take a 10-0 lead into half time.
The second half resumed, and it wasn’t long before the Knights again had the majority of possession. Ill discipline from the Eels piggy backed the Knights out of their own end and with ball in hand, the Eels couldn’t complete their sets.
The weight of possession to the Knights saw them cross for repeat tries to take the lead.
The first try was awarded to Knights interchange forward Jack Cameron who barged his way over the line. The next ensuing set saw a break through the middle of the field before finding utility Tex Hoy in support who ran 25m to score under the posts.
The Knights crossed for their third in quick succession with a barge over from close to the line, with Joe Bromage crossing next to the posts to give the Knights a 8 point lead.
They crossed for their fourth shortly after, when a handful of offloads close to the Eels try line found prop Jirah Momoisea with a clear run to the line, extending their lead to 24-10.
The Knights crossed through back rower Beau Fermor, who received a nice short ball from his half to put him into space, before stepping the fullback to score under the posts.
The Eels looked to have crossed for a late consolation try but it was denied by the on-field referee.
The Knights Jersey Flegg side coming away with a 30-10 victory at Maitland.
Parramatta Eels Jersey Flegg 10 (Tries: Ethan Parry, Noel Aukafolau, Goals: Dylan Brown 1/2)
Def by
Newcastle Knights 30 (Tries: Jack Cameron, Tex Hoy, Joe Bromage, Jirah Momoisea, Beau Fermor; Goals: Tex Hoy 5/5)
