Saturday, June 26, 2004
Amos sink Eels
The Eels have blown a perfect opportunity to fight their way back into the top eight going down 26 to 16 after leading 12 to 10 at half time.
For the second week running, the Eels were basically beaten by a stunning individual performance. Last week it was Darren Lockyer, this week it was makeshift half Amos Roberts.
The Eels almost got off to the perfect start when a Matt Peterson leapt high for a Michael Witt cross field kick. Referee Hampstead went to the video ref but it was ruled that Parra knocked on.
The Eels defended with much venom early on, getting on top of the much vaunted Penrith pack and forced a number of turn overs. That resulted in plenty of ball and field position and the Penrith team finally cracked when Michael Vella brushed off Amos Roberts on the edge of the ruck to score. Michael Witt converted to give the Eels a six nil lead.
Despite continuing to dominate possession and made a number of breaks but were unable to turn that into points . Indeed Penrith looked like they would be next to score when exciting Panthers young second rower Frank Pritchard burst through the line. However, the Eels best player over the past two months, Wade McKinnon, came up with a try saving shoulder charge that knocked the ball loose.
The Eels then scored a spectacular try. Michael Witt for the third time in the game delivered a clever flick pass to Jack Afamasaga who took the ball to the line bumped off a defended then passed back to Hindmarsh. Hindmarsh did likewise getting the ball back to Wagon who sent the ball out to Luke Burt. Burt found Hindmarsh on the run around and the Australian second rower barged over the top of three Panthers defenders to score out wide. Michael Witt's conversion just missed to the left.
However, Penrith's pack came back strongly late in the second half and the Eels intensity seemed to lift and this time it was Parramatta under attack. Thankfully, Penrith looked disjointed without their playmakers Gower and Campbell but it only took a piece of individual brilliance from Amos Roberts to score under the post and put the Panthers right back into the game trailing by only four at the break.
Unfortunately, in the second half it was the Panthers who dominated the game. All year, Parramatta has been vulnerable on their line when the first receiver takes the ball back towards the post and this play once again saw the Eels concede a try. Dean Widders rushed out of the line but was stepped by Rhys Whesser. Michael Witt and Corey Pearson were too slow to slide across in cover and Whesser scored a soft try, converted by Roberts.
Roberts' kicking game got better and better in the second half and mid-way through the period he was able to thread a grubber into the in-goal, which Paul Whatuira jumped on ahead of Junior Langi to score next to the post. Roberts again had no problems converting and the Eels were looking forlorn at 24 to 12.
However, the Eels didn't lay down and a Jack Afamasaga break led to the ball being spun out wide against a short Penrith backline. Matt Peterson did a great job to stay in play and put the ball down, however, any hope of a miraculous Eels comeback ended when Witt again failed to convert from touch.
The Eels were well-served by Wade McKinnon, who again pulled out a number of try saving tackles, John Morris who was particularly good in the first half and Michael Vella who was dominant while he was on the field.
What did you think of the Eels performance. Post a comment.
For the second week running, the Eels were basically beaten by a stunning individual performance. Last week it was Darren Lockyer, this week it was makeshift half Amos Roberts.
The Eels almost got off to the perfect start when a Matt Peterson leapt high for a Michael Witt cross field kick. Referee Hampstead went to the video ref but it was ruled that Parra knocked on.
The Eels defended with much venom early on, getting on top of the much vaunted Penrith pack and forced a number of turn overs. That resulted in plenty of ball and field position and the Penrith team finally cracked when Michael Vella brushed off Amos Roberts on the edge of the ruck to score. Michael Witt converted to give the Eels a six nil lead.
Despite continuing to dominate possession and made a number of breaks but were unable to turn that into points . Indeed Penrith looked like they would be next to score when exciting Panthers young second rower Frank Pritchard burst through the line. However, the Eels best player over the past two months, Wade McKinnon, came up with a try saving shoulder charge that knocked the ball loose.
The Eels then scored a spectacular try. Michael Witt for the third time in the game delivered a clever flick pass to Jack Afamasaga who took the ball to the line bumped off a defended then passed back to Hindmarsh. Hindmarsh did likewise getting the ball back to Wagon who sent the ball out to Luke Burt. Burt found Hindmarsh on the run around and the Australian second rower barged over the top of three Panthers defenders to score out wide. Michael Witt's conversion just missed to the left.
However, Penrith's pack came back strongly late in the second half and the Eels intensity seemed to lift and this time it was Parramatta under attack. Thankfully, Penrith looked disjointed without their playmakers Gower and Campbell but it only took a piece of individual brilliance from Amos Roberts to score under the post and put the Panthers right back into the game trailing by only four at the break.
Unfortunately, in the second half it was the Panthers who dominated the game. All year, Parramatta has been vulnerable on their line when the first receiver takes the ball back towards the post and this play once again saw the Eels concede a try. Dean Widders rushed out of the line but was stepped by Rhys Whesser. Michael Witt and Corey Pearson were too slow to slide across in cover and Whesser scored a soft try, converted by Roberts.
Roberts' kicking game got better and better in the second half and mid-way through the period he was able to thread a grubber into the in-goal, which Paul Whatuira jumped on ahead of Junior Langi to score next to the post. Roberts again had no problems converting and the Eels were looking forlorn at 24 to 12.
However, the Eels didn't lay down and a Jack Afamasaga break led to the ball being spun out wide against a short Penrith backline. Matt Peterson did a great job to stay in play and put the ball down, however, any hope of a miraculous Eels comeback ended when Witt again failed to convert from touch.
The Eels were well-served by Wade McKinnon, who again pulled out a number of try saving tackles, John Morris who was particularly good in the first half and Michael Vella who was dominant while he was on the field.
What did you think of the Eels performance. Post a comment.
