Saturday, August 28, 2004
Eels season over
Parramatta's season is over after they went down to the Penrith Panthers 30 to 20 at Parramatta Stadium tonight.
The Eels got off to a great start jumping to a 12 nil lead in the first five minutes. Dean Widders, playing in the centres after Junior Langi withdrew, strolled over for a simple try off a Daniel Wagon pass. Matt Peterson then scored only a couple of minutes later and the Eels were looking good.
However, the Panthers struck back. Luke Rooney jumped above Ashley Graham to score from a cross-field kick and then Wade McKinnon had a brain explosion, trying to force pass when returning the ball from a kick and only finding Joe Galuvao who picked up the ball and scored.
The Panthers went into the halftime break leading 18 to 14, following a Michael Witt goal and a try to Rhys Wesser.
However, the Eels fought back strongly early in the second half with Matt Peterson busting three tackles then slipping a ball to Wade McKinnon, who had enough pace to get away from his opposition fullback and score.
However, a bad Chris Thorman miss on Preston Campbell who pushed off the Englishman than sprint away to score outwide put the Eels behind again. That lead was pushed out to eight when Tony Puletua crashed over wide out on the back of sustained possesion.
The Eels went down trying though. A nice Thorman grubber saw Parramatta players converge on the ball before it popped up for Corey Pearson, however the video referee Mick Stone ruled the ball had been knocked on by Lee Hopkins.
The Eels then ran out of patience trying to score on every play and only created a succession of errors that enabled the Panthers to hold onto their lead and knock the Eels out of the 2004 competition.
Nathan Cayless played good minutes in the middle of the game and was inspirational for his team, showing just how much his presence has been missed throughout the competition.
The Eels got off to a great start jumping to a 12 nil lead in the first five minutes. Dean Widders, playing in the centres after Junior Langi withdrew, strolled over for a simple try off a Daniel Wagon pass. Matt Peterson then scored only a couple of minutes later and the Eels were looking good.
However, the Panthers struck back. Luke Rooney jumped above Ashley Graham to score from a cross-field kick and then Wade McKinnon had a brain explosion, trying to force pass when returning the ball from a kick and only finding Joe Galuvao who picked up the ball and scored.
The Panthers went into the halftime break leading 18 to 14, following a Michael Witt goal and a try to Rhys Wesser.
However, the Eels fought back strongly early in the second half with Matt Peterson busting three tackles then slipping a ball to Wade McKinnon, who had enough pace to get away from his opposition fullback and score.
However, a bad Chris Thorman miss on Preston Campbell who pushed off the Englishman than sprint away to score outwide put the Eels behind again. That lead was pushed out to eight when Tony Puletua crashed over wide out on the back of sustained possesion.
The Eels went down trying though. A nice Thorman grubber saw Parramatta players converge on the ball before it popped up for Corey Pearson, however the video referee Mick Stone ruled the ball had been knocked on by Lee Hopkins.
The Eels then ran out of patience trying to score on every play and only created a succession of errors that enabled the Panthers to hold onto their lead and knock the Eels out of the 2004 competition.
Nathan Cayless played good minutes in the middle of the game and was inspirational for his team, showing just how much his presence has been missed throughout the competition.
