The Parramatta Eels Jersey Flegg side have notched up their first win of the season with a dominant and convincing 38-6 victory over the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles at Lottoland this afternoon (Sunday 18 March).
In the hot sweltering conditions of Lottoland, the young Blue & Gold seemed to adjust to the conditions quicker than their opposition.
Camped down the Sea Eagles try line for the opening ten minutes of the clash, the Eels mad a mountain of possession and were looking to stamp their dominance early. Whilst the Manly defence held strong for the opening stanza, repelling several waves of attack, the Eels eventually managed to crack the home side defence with a deft weighted kick.
Forward Oregon Kaufusi won the race to the ball and planted it for the first try of the afternoon in the 19th minute.
However the first try opened the floodgates.
A length of the field try to winger Taufa Afu in the 21st minute followed by a try to the other Eels winger Michael Cheer, before a crash over try from lock Michael Tupou had the Eels with a 20-0 lead after 28 minutes.
Both sides appeared to fade towards the back end of the first half, with the conditions impacting both sides completion rate, and livewire hooker Reed Mahoney, who was called late into the side, found some tiring defence close to the line before diving over for a converted try.
The Eels Jersey Flegg side taking a 26-0 lead at half time.
The half time break appeared to slow down the Eels hunger for points and the home side found their attacking rhythm.
However it was some strong Eels defence in the 56th minute of the clash that led to the next points of the game. Under a heavy tackle by Afu on the Eels try line, the ball dislodged and left centre Noel Aukafolau picked up the loose ball and began the run down field.
He swerved and stepped his way down field, running 80m, before finding Afu in support to complete the length of the field try.
The Eels extending their lead to 32 unanswered points.
The home side crossed in the 67th minute of the clash, when lock forward Jordan Main stepped his way through the Eels defence to score under the posts for a converted try.
Michael Tupou crashed over for his second try of the afternoon with eight minutes remaining on the clock extending the Blue & Gold lead.
The score remained unchanged in the final eight minutes with the Eels coming away with a dominant 38-6 victory.
Parramatta Eels Jersey Flegg 38 (Tries: Taufa Afu (2), Michael Tupou (2), Oregon Kaufusi, Michael Cheer, Reed Mahoney; Goals: Dylan Brown 5/7)
Def
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles Jersey Flegg 6 (Tries: Jordan Main; Goals: Luke Metcalf 1/1)
