Round 9
Parramatta Eels 19 d. St.George-Illawarra Dragons 18

2008 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: Aus_NZ > National > First Grade Competition: NRL Telstra Premiership

Eels one point winners over Dragons
Sun May 11, 2008
Source: www.parraeels.com.au

The Pirtek Parramatta Eels have scored back to back wins for the first time in 2008, holding off a fast finishing St George Illawarra outfit 19 points to 18 at ANZ Stadium.

Both teams finished with three converted tries apiece, a 74th minute field goal to Brett Finch the difference between the two after 80 minutes.

However it was the Eels defence that arguably won them the match, keeping the Dragons to three tries despite the visitors making twice as many line breaks over the course of the game.

The Eels struck first with Eric Grothe showing great strength to touch down out wide after being handed a tough run to the line. Luke Burt nailed the sideline conversion for an early 6-nil lead.

They were then forced to withstand a mountain of pressure on their own line, their defence holding firm in the face of repeated Dragons sets.

The visitors looked to have their first just past the half hour mark, Jason Nightingale touching down after the ball was jarred from Grothe's grasp in the tackle.

Video Referee Steve Clark came to the Eels rescue, ruling no try after Matt Cooper was judged to have stripped the ball.

Two minutes later Burt compounded the Dragons pain, scoring off a Nathan Hindmarsh break before converting his own try.

Chase Stanley restored order three minutes before the break, scoring off a Mark Gasnier flick pass to bring the score back to 12-6 Parramatta's way.

The Eels did their best to hand the Dragons an equalizer soon after the resumption, a charge down and intercept seeing the visitors with repeat sets deep inside Eels territory.

But once again the Eels goal line defence held firm, even when a piece of Soward brilliance gave Stuart Webb a clear shot at the line.

Instead of leveling it up some outstanding cover defence from Joel Reddy ushered Webb into touch just inches short.

The fruits of the Eels labour came 12 minutes into the half, when Jarryd Hayne touched down without a hand laid upon him to make it 18-6 in favour of the home side.

Nightingale then crossed for the Dragon's second try on the hour, Soward then Matt Cooper firing well timed passes to put the winger away.

Soward added the extras from the sideline to make it a six point game once again.

Eels hooker Matt Keating came up with a crucial play seven minutes out from full time, nailing a 40-20 after yet another period of sustained Dragons pressure.

From the ensuing set Brett Finch nailed a field goal to hand his side a seven point buffer heading into the final five minutes of the match.

The Dragons resorted to taking early tackle options in an attempt to get themselves over the stripe and back into the game, only to find an Eels defence up to the task on more than one occasion.

A runaway try to Matt Cooper off the yet another charge down made the final minute critical for the Eels, the Dragons with just three plays to steal the win.

A scrambling Brett Finch cleaned up a Soward chip kick to close out the win, Parramatta triumphing 19 points to 18.

PIRTEK PARRAMATTA EELS 19
Tries: Eric Grothe, Luke Burt, Jarryd Hayne
Goals: Luke Burt 3/3
Field Goals: Brett Finch 1/1

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA 18
Tries: Chase Stanley, Jason Nightingale, Matt Cooper
Goals: Jamie Soward 3/3

At ANZ Stadium
Crowd: 16,313
Referee: Sean Hampstead

EELS V DRAGONS - AS IT HAPPENED
7th Minute: The Eels open the scoring through a try to Eric Grothe. Luke Burt converts from wide out. Eels 6-nil.

35th Minute: Burt scores under the posts, then converts. Eels 12-nil.

37th Minute: Chase Stanley goes over in the corner for the Dragons. Jamie Soward converts from the sideline. Eels 12-6.

HALF TIME: Eels 12 Dragons 6

52nd Minute: Jarryd Hayne runs it in for a try on the left flank. Burt again converts from the sideline. Eels 18-6.

60th Minute: Jason Nightingale touches down for the Dragons' second. Soward converts. Eels 18-12.

74th Minute: Brett Finch is successful with a shot at field goal. Eels 19-12.

79th Minute: Matt Cooper scores for the Dragons. Soward converts. Eels 19-18.

FULL TIME: Eels 19 Dragons 18

News Source: www.parraeels.com.au


Young Fans & Families in focus at Eels v Dragons
Fri May 9, 2008
Source: www.parraeels.com.au

The Parramatta and St George-Illawarra clubs, in conjunction with the National Rugby League, will join forces on Sunday in celebration of Junior Rugby League.

Thousands of tickets to the round nine Telstra Premiership clash between the Eels and Dragons at ANZ Stadium have been distributed to young players from the two club catchments as part of a special Junior Rugby League appreciation day.

As part of the promotion a special $44 family pass has been made available for Mother's Day, allowing Mum, Dad and the kids to mark the day in style at the footy.

The centerpiece of the day will see a junior march past, featuring under 10 teams from Parramatta district juniors and Catholic convent clubs, take place on the field following the conclusion of the Toyota Cup.

Under six and under seven teams from the Parramatta district will also play matches on the ANZ Stadium surface over the course of the day.

"We're looking forward to seeing many junior players in the stands on Sunday and a great proportion of them will no doubt get a great thrill from walking in the footsteps of their heroes and onto one of Australia's premier sporting venues," Parramatta Eels CEO Denis Fitzgerald said.

"Junior appreciation day is a further demonstration of the lengths NRL clubs are going to today to strengthen and grow their junior Leagues.

"From a Parramatta perspective we have 14 more junior teams than in 2007, which equates to over 6,500 players in 22 district clubs and nine clubs in the Catholic Convents competition.

"With Sunday also being Mothers Day this represents a great opportunity to treat Mum and get the family together for a day at the football."

St George-Illawarra Chief Executive Officer Peter Doust said the spirit of co-operation between the two clubs and the NRL has set the scene for a big afternoon.

"The Junior Rugby League appreciation day is a concept that seeks to recognise the vital role that Junior Rugby League clubs, participants and volunteers play within our game," Mr. Doust said.

"This initiative, fully supported by the NRL, reinforces the commitment and priority that the Eels and the Dragons give to Junior Rugby League within their regions, especially in a time when the game and its traditional supporters, licensed clubs, are under threat due to gaming tax, smoking regulations and inflationary economic factors."

The Family Pass ticket offer allows two adults and two children entry into the ground for just $44 (plus Ticketek fees & charges).

The avoid queues the pass is available for pre-purchase by calling Ticketek on 132 849 or by visiting www.ticketek.com.au.

The pass is also available at the gate.

News sent by: www.parraeels.com.au

Tue May 6, 2008
• Ben Smith to make long awaited return against Dragons
  

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