Saturday, March 27, 2004
Parra ties Premiere League game
The Parramatta Premiere League team almost scored a stunning come from behind victory against Newcastle, however were left with the consolation of drawing a game they almost certainly should have lost.
Parramatta and Newcastle tied 26 all after the Knights had racked up a massive 24 nil lead.
Parramatta sent out a relatively inexperienced backline after Junior Langi and Ronald Prince were both called into the top grade. And unfortunately that told, as Newcastle seemed to score try and try from relatively simple backline movements.
They went into the break leading 14 nil after scoring three first half tries, before scoring yet another two after oranges to amass 24 unanswered points.
It was a frustrating game for the Eels whose big pack was dominating Newcastle. Fui Fui Moi Moi was barnstorming, making big hits and proving difficult to put down, while Justin Tsoulos continually made hard yards up the middle. However, it was Mal Kaufusi who was most impressive. He really sparked a Parramatta revival, making a clean break before sending Wade McKinnon across for a try.
While the form of the big Parramatta forwards was encouraging, the form of Chris Thorman and Michael Witt showed Parramatta desperately need Adam Dykes to stay on the field.
Witt is simply trying to hard. He is pushing too many passes, trying to make too many breaks and in the end is just making too many mistakes that consistently put Paramatta under pressure. Chris Thorman's kicking game was terribly ineffective. From kicking out on the full to consistently sending the ball over the dead ball line, Thorman never enabled Parramatta to amount any sustained pressure. They did get better as the game went on and combined well for a late try, but behind a dominant forward pack that should have had Parramatta travelling much better than they did.
The game ended in thrilling circumstances. Parramatta tied the game up in the last minute and then Newcastle was caught offside from the last second kickoff attempting a short kick. Michael Witt was then given the opportunity to win the game for Parramatta with a penalty kick after the bell from half way, however he didn't hit it cleanly and it fell short and wide.
Shane Muspratt was very effective in the hooking role. He was easily the classiest player on the field and always looked dangerous and was rewarded with a try after Newcastle suckered a dummy that enabled him to score from dummy half untouched. Jeramiah Pai came good in the second half, Jim Curtis worked hard the whole game while Chris Armit was solid without setting the world on fire. Wade McKinnon looked the most dangerous in the Parramatta backline but made a horrendous error attempting to shoulder a player over the touchline instead of tackling him and that allowed Newcastle to score their final try.
Parramatta's Jersey Flegg team also continued its winning way and despite a late Newcastle rally were never in danger of losing.
Parramatta and Newcastle tied 26 all after the Knights had racked up a massive 24 nil lead.
Parramatta sent out a relatively inexperienced backline after Junior Langi and Ronald Prince were both called into the top grade. And unfortunately that told, as Newcastle seemed to score try and try from relatively simple backline movements.
They went into the break leading 14 nil after scoring three first half tries, before scoring yet another two after oranges to amass 24 unanswered points.
It was a frustrating game for the Eels whose big pack was dominating Newcastle. Fui Fui Moi Moi was barnstorming, making big hits and proving difficult to put down, while Justin Tsoulos continually made hard yards up the middle. However, it was Mal Kaufusi who was most impressive. He really sparked a Parramatta revival, making a clean break before sending Wade McKinnon across for a try.
While the form of the big Parramatta forwards was encouraging, the form of Chris Thorman and Michael Witt showed Parramatta desperately need Adam Dykes to stay on the field.
Witt is simply trying to hard. He is pushing too many passes, trying to make too many breaks and in the end is just making too many mistakes that consistently put Paramatta under pressure. Chris Thorman's kicking game was terribly ineffective. From kicking out on the full to consistently sending the ball over the dead ball line, Thorman never enabled Parramatta to amount any sustained pressure. They did get better as the game went on and combined well for a late try, but behind a dominant forward pack that should have had Parramatta travelling much better than they did.
The game ended in thrilling circumstances. Parramatta tied the game up in the last minute and then Newcastle was caught offside from the last second kickoff attempting a short kick. Michael Witt was then given the opportunity to win the game for Parramatta with a penalty kick after the bell from half way, however he didn't hit it cleanly and it fell short and wide.
Shane Muspratt was very effective in the hooking role. He was easily the classiest player on the field and always looked dangerous and was rewarded with a try after Newcastle suckered a dummy that enabled him to score from dummy half untouched. Jeramiah Pai came good in the second half, Jim Curtis worked hard the whole game while Chris Armit was solid without setting the world on fire. Wade McKinnon looked the most dangerous in the Parramatta backline but made a horrendous error attempting to shoulder a player over the touchline instead of tackling him and that allowed Newcastle to score their final try.
Parramatta's Jersey Flegg team also continued its winning way and despite a late Newcastle rally were never in danger of losing.
