EELS HOLD OUT ROOSTERS IN TOYOTA CUP TRIAL
Saturday 1 March 2008
http://www.parraeels.com.au/news/news1703.shtml
Parramatta has scored a gutsy 39-34 victory over the Sydney Roosters in their Toyota Cup trial match at Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium.
The Eels led 28-12 at the break but found themselves trailing by two points midway through the second half following a determined Roosters resurgence.
In the finish second half tries to Tim Mannah and Daniel Mortimer – two of the standouts for the match – was enough to see the Eels home.
After conceding the first try the Eels hit top gear, five first half tries seeing them lead 26-12 into the break.
The first went the way of winger Owen Lauofo, who flirted with the corner post before planting the ball over the line.
Tony Williams missed with the conversion however after trailing early the Eels were back in the game at 6-4.
From there it was all the Eels, Domenic Nasso touching down off a beautiful offload from skipper Tim Mannah.
Further tries to Daniel Mortimer, Shaun Cox and Joe Mataele saw the Eels lead by 14 at the break, the Roosters only other score for the half coming through wing Alan Heldsingher after a Parramatta turnover just before half time.
The resumption saw the Eels fall into a deep slumber, the Roosters running in three straight tries through Rohan Ahern, Galu Teo and Jake Friend to take the lead at 28-26.
Mannah got his side back in the hunt, scoring beside the posts 20 minutes from time to put the Eels back into the lead at 32-28.
Then Mortimer got his second, stepping twice off his left foot in a carbon copy of his first to score under the posts.
The conversion made it 38-28 and the Eels looked home.
However the Roosters would come back once again, Teo grabbing his second to make it a four point game with seven minutes left on the clock.
Tony Williams put the result beyond doubt with just seconds left on the clock, nailing a field goal from in front to help the Eels record a 39-24 victory.
PARRAMATTA 39
Tries: Daniel Mortimer 2, Owen Lauofo, Domenic Nasso, Shaun Cox, Joe Mataele, Tim Mannah
Goals: Tony Williams 3/5, Luke Mottinelli 2/2
Field Goals: Tony Williams 1
SYDNEY ROOSTERS 34
Tries: Galu Teo 2, Tom Symonds, Alan Heldslinger, Rohan Ahern, Jake Friend
Goals: Ben Cronin 5/6