Humble enjoys winning NRL debut
News Ltd
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
© The Cairns Post
FORMER Northern Pride player Tom Humble enjoyed a winning start to his NRL career last night when his club Parramatta had a *19-12 triumph over Manly at Brookvale Oval.
The 21-year-old was handed a big-time debut after regular five-eighth Kris Keating was ruled out with an injury.
A nervous-looking Humble had a solid outing, but the star for Parramatta was Jarryd Hayne.
He may have been named on the NSW wing for next week’s State of Origin opener, but a fullback masterclass from Hayne steered the Eels to victory last night.
Hayne was outstanding against the Sea Eagles in an absorbing encounter in front of a raucous Manly home crowd. The reigning Dally M winner set up all three of his side’s tries and was consistently involved in the fourth successive victory for a resurgent Eels.
"I thought our middle of the field was exceptionally strong and we were very, very good for the whole game and took on their big men and did pretty well," Eels coach Daniel Anderson said.
"I thought Haynesy was excellent tonight, his kicking was big and he got us into some good scoring positions. Over the last four weeks he has been getting better and better in doing the tough stuff."
Manly coach Des Hasler lamented his side’s slow start to the game.
"It was a grinding affair. I was disappointed with the way we started both halves and put ourselves under pressure, they came here prepared, had a gameplan and all credit to them, they got the win," he said.
Both coaches had been forced into late changes at five-eighth with Manly’s Kieran Foran and Parramatta’s Keating ruled out with injuries.
Chris Bailey came in for Manly with Anderson handing 21-year-old Humble his debut after joining the Eels in the off-season.
The Eels came racing out of the blocks and opened up an early 12-0 lead with tries scored by Luke Burt and Feleti Mateo.
Manly got themselves back into the game with a try 10 minutes from the interval from Steve Matai, who had earlier been placed on report for a high shot on Humble.
The second half continued the same way with the Eels starting the stronger with only a late tackle from Michael Robertson denying Joel Reddy. This was followed by a piece of brilliance from Jamie Lyon whose miracle tackle denied Humble.
The only worry for the Eels was an apparent ankle injury to Timana Tahu, although he was later cleared.
PARRAMATTA 19 (L Burt F Mateo J Robson tries L Burt 3 goals L Burt field goal) d MANLY 12 (J Lyon S Matai tries J Lyon 2 goals) at Brookvale Oval. Referees: Matt Cecchin, Jared Maxwell. Crowd: 11,023.
