The Parramatta Eels Jersey Flegg side have suffered a 22-14 defeat to the top of the table Newcastle Knights at Ringrose Park on Sunday25 March in Round Three of their competition.
Coming off a dominant 38-6 victory over the Sea Eagles last week, the Blue & Gold found themselves behind on the scoreboard early when Knights halfback Hayden Loughrey crossed the line in the ninth minute of play for a converted try.
However Blue & Gold winger Ethan Parry, who was a late inclusion into the side, responded quickly, when the Eels crossed over out wide just five minutes later.
Attacking play from both sides saw plenty of enterprising play but it was the Knights who went on to cross next, through winger Justin Worley in the 23rd minute of play.
Eels halfback Dylan Brown crossed for his own four pointer 10 minutes short of half time, and after missing both shots at goal, the Blue & Fold trailed 8-10 at half time.
Knights five-eighth Nash Birch put first points on the board in the second half, extending their lead to beyond a converted try in the 57th minute of the clash, but a strong run from Eels prop Sean Keppie saw the Blue & Gold cross for a converted try and bring the scores to just two points with 15 minutes remaining on the clock.
However Knights prop Pasami Saulo found his way to the line in the 70th minute of the clash, and with no further points scored in the final portions of play, the Knights came away with a 22-14 victory over the Eels.
Parramatta Eels 14 (Tries: Ethan Parry, Dylan Brown Sean Keppie; Goals: Dylan Brown 1/3)
Def by
Newcastle Knights 22 (Tries: Hayden Loughrey, Justin Worley, Nash Birch, Pasami Saulo; Goals: Kurtis Dark 3/4)
