The Parramatta Eels Jersey Flegg side have come away with a spirited, come from behind victory over the St George Illawarra Dragons on the weekend, securing a 32-28 victory at Ziems Park.
Coming off a disappointing loss to the Warriors on the road last week, the young Blue & Gold would have been eager to bounce back this weekend.
Searching for their fifth win of the season, the Eels found themselves in front on the scoreboard early when a strong charge from lock PJ Vaigalu found his way to the line in just the third minute of the clash.
But the home side answered back quickly, with tries in the 11th, 14th and 22nd minute to take a 18-6 lead.
The Dragons found success down their left edge with halfback Blair Grant slicing through the line for their first try, the half chipping over the top for fullback Cody Ramsey to score before winger Sam McCann crossed over out wide after a nice cut out pass from Grant.
The Eels halted the home side momentum briefly when a short ball from Bailey Biondi-Odo found Charbel Tasipale hitting a hole and scoring under the posts in the 26th minute.
Winger McCann was over for his second of the afternoon just before the stroke of half time, when he claimed a cross field kick from Grant to score in the corner and secure a 22-12 lead to the home side after the first half.
The Eels were first to score in the second half when Bailey Biondi-Odo held up a pass from some rushing Dragons defence before finding centre Taufa Afu to score to the left of the posts.
Fellow Eels half Joey Taipari then threw a long cut out pass minutes later to find winger JT Nabetelevu unmarked to score over in the corner in the 42nd minute.
The Eels levelling the scores at 22-22 all.
A short side play from Dragons half Grant once again had the home side back in front, finding back rower Luke Gale diving over close to the line for a converted try.
A crucial try to Nabetelevu in the 61st minute saw the Eels score in the corner to trail by just two after a nice line break from Taipari set up his winger for his second of the afternoon.
A long range try that was finished off by Taipari saw the Eels claim the lead in the 64h minute of play, with a chip over the top from Biondi-Odo to Tasipale in the lead up setting up the half to score a 50m try under the posts.
The try was converted and the Eels secured a come from behind, 32-28 victory over the Dragons in Round 20.
Parramatta Eels Jersey Flegg 32 (Tries: PJ Vaigalu, Charbel Tasipale, Taufa Afu, JT Nabetelevu (2), Joseph Taipari; Goals: Bailey Biondi-Odo 4/6)
Def
St. George Illawarra Dragons Jersey Flegg 28 (Tries: Blair Grant, Cody Ramsey, Sam McCann (2), Luke Gale; Blair Grant 4/5)
The eleventh placed Eels will now face the sixth placed Knights at Bankwest Stadium on Saturday 10 August in Round 21.
