First half
Eels kick off and an error from Newcastle fielding the ball means the ball goes dead for a line dropout. The Eels are pressuring the line within two tackles but a stray pass gives the scrum to the Knights ten out.
The Knights attempt a strip but knock the ball on. The Eels have possession 30 out and shift right as soon as they get into the 20. Perham is in space and draws the winger opening a passage for Russell to score in the corner. Conversion unsuccessful.
Eels 4 Knights 0 7 minutes gone
A couple of penalties during sets has provided the Knights with good territory. The Eels hold on against a good raid from the Knights and finally earn their own penalty. It all comes to nought on the Knights 40 but then Newcastle return the favour by losing possession two tackles later.
Great charges from the drop offs from the Eels has the Knights on the back foot. A deft kick on the last from Arthur earns a line drop out. More pressure from the Eels and they earn a set restart. Once more Arthur punishes the Knights with a superbly weighted kick for another line drop out.
The Knights opt for a shortish drop out but Parra easily get possession. They hammer the line for about 4 tackles before Williams sends the ball right and once more Perham beats his opposite, draws the winger and puts Russell over in the corner.
Conversion unsuccessful
Eels 8 Knights 0. 21 minutes gone
Apologies for the last twenty minutes. The rain hit and a minor hiccup with the device has caused me to lose all of the blogging over that period.
To recap that period, the Eels were guilty of far too many errors in possession. Newcastle made a number of raids down both wings. One break came close to creating a try with only a desperate chase by Williams preventing a kick ahead from being regathered in the Eels in goal.
A shout out also to Tevita T for a great cover tackle on the Knights left winger inside the twenty when a try looked likely.
Without question the last 20 minutes of the half belonged to the Knights.
Alf time Eels 8 Knights 0
Second Half
Knights kicking off
The Eels have picked up where they left off dropping the ball on about the fourth tackle. Knights feeding the scrum 40 out.
Parra get a penalty for a strip. Parra carry the ball strongly in the early tackles and a powerful charge from El Zakhem is only stopped inches from the line. However the damage has been done and the .knights can’t stop the follow up carry from Rodwell who crashes over next to the posts.
Conversion by Rankin successful
Eels 14 Knights 0 8 minutes gone.
Tremendous 40/20 from the Knights and they follow that up by earning a line drop out. They might have been lucky here. An errant pass still gets a fortunate bounce to the intended recipient who then throws an offload which bounces along the ground to an unmarked winger for a try in the left corner.
Conversion unsuccessful
Eels 14 Knights 4 14 minutes gone.
The knights have nothing to lose and are chancing their arm with late offloads and wide shifts. They make terrific inroads off the kick off before dropping the ball in the final play the ball of the set.
The Eels now return the favour with a forward pass resulting in another incomplete set.
Newcastle continue to challenge the Eels defence and the high risk play brings them close to the line but it comes at the price of lost possession.
Parra now have the ball from a scrum in the Knights quarter. Newcastle are offside from the scrum and it’s a six again call. They are again quick off the line forcing an Eels error and a turn over in possession.
A couple of sets traded but the Eels get the better of it with a pinpoint kick from Arthur earning a line drop out. Williams follows it up with a kick of his own but Newcastle win the ball from a short drop out.
What a try! Finish fields a Knights grubber in the in goal and runs across the dead ball line before straightening to get out of the in goal and hit open pastures. He runs 100 metres and is tackled around the ankles two metres out, but the defender falls off him and he dives over to score!
Conversion successful
Eels 20 Knights 4 about 5 minutes remaining
An Eels kick on the last by Williams looks to have been touched by the Knights and it’s wobbling through the air. It’s a difficult catch in the conditions and their left winger fumbles it. Parra pick it up and spread it left. Simonsson beats his opposite and puts Citi into a one on one ten out. Her beats the defender and crosses in the corner.
conversion unsuccessful
Eels 24 Knights 4 two minutes remaining.
Full time
Eels 24 Knights 4
NSW Cup will be looking to follow in the footsteps of their senior cohorts in the NRL by booking their place in the finals this week. They enter the round in 5th place in a newly installed Top 5 format but have the Canberra Raiders breathing down their necks meaning they essentially must win tonight
thecumberlandthrow.com
www.parraeels.com.au
