Hurriflatch
Referee
- Messages
- 22,093
Eels power against stalled Sea Eagles
September 12, 2005
Eels 46
Sea Eagles 22
PARRAMATTA powered closer towards smashing a 19-year premiership drought yesterday moving to within 80 minutes of a grand final appearance by ending Manly's 2005 title aspirations.
The in-form Eels simply had too much strikepower for a disappointing Sea Eagles outfit, running in four tries in the opening 27 minutes to race to a 22-0 lead in the fourth qualifying final.
Parramatta centre Timana Tahu picked up a pair of tries, one a sizzling 50m runaway effort to beat Sea Eagles speedster Brett Stewart, as the Eels ran in a total of eight tries to four to rack up 46 points.
A lacklustre Manly lacked any sort of creative spark in attack close to the Eels' line, with Parramatta underlining why they have the best defensive record in the NRL with a spirited showing.
Minor premiers the Eels earned themselves a week off with the solid victory, with Parramatta to play the winner of the semi-final between Melbourne and the Cowboys next Saturday in week three of the finals.
Manly had the first opportunity to post points after motor-mouth centre Terry Hill milked a penalty for Paul Stringer lying in the tackle.
The Sea Eagles opted to take the penalty shot at goal but five-eighth Michael Witt hit the post with the conversion.
A high-intensity opening to the match saw Sea Eagles prop Jason King placed on report for a lifting tackle on Parramatta captain Nathan Cayless, who lay motionless on the ground for around 30 seconds before being helped from the field with concussion.
Tempers flared when Manly centre Steve Matai used a headlock manoeuvre tackling Luke Burt, with the pair pushing and shoving towards the sideline before a dozen players from both teams rushed in.
Parramatta sliced a spirited Manly defence open in the eighth minute when former NSW Origin flyer Tahu stood up Sea Eagles centre Matai after a long ball from halfback Tim Smith.
Luke Burt missed the conversion to leave the Eels ahead 4-0.
Parramatta surged further in front three minutes later went halfback Tim Smith took the Manly line on and found a gap between Brent Kite and Luke Williamson, drawing fullback Brett Stewart before putting lock Chad Robinson under the posts.
Eels winger Burt's conversion pushed the home side to a 10-0 lead.
Parramatta powered further towards an appearance in the grand final qualifier when hooker Mark Riddell, outstanding for the Eels in the early exchanges, stormed through some flimsy Sea Eagles defence from close range for a 14-0 scoreline.
The Burt conversion made it 16-0.
A skilful offload from Stringer paved the way for the Eels' fourth try, this time winger Eric Grothe surging across down Parramatta's left flank. Burt's conversion made it 22-0.
Manly continued to make simple errors, handing Parramatta possession, which the Eels made them pay the heaviest possible price for.
The Sea Eagles rallied late in the second half when the Eels were already home, five-eighth Michael Witt crossing for a superb solo try from long range.
Parramatta scored their seventh try through backrower Daniel Wagon before the Sea Eagles added a dose of respectability to the final scoreline with two late tries to back-rower Ben Kennedy. Eels forward Adam Peek crossed for a late try for the final 46-22 scoreline. Parramatta 46 (T Tahu 2, L Burt, E Grothe, A Peek, M Riddell, C Robinson, D Wagon tries' L Burt 7 goals) Manly 22 (B Kennedy 2, A Watmough, M Witt tries; L Williamson 2, M Monaghan goals) at Parramatta Stadium. Referee: T Mander. Crowd: 19,710.
...
