Parramatta proved too strong for the struggling Newcastle Knights.
MATCHDAY RESULTS
SCOREBOARD
Newcastle Knights 2
Tries: nil
Goals: Jake Clifford (7)
Parramatta Eels 39
Tries: Shaun Lane (11), Hayze Perham (29), Dylan Brown (45), Isaiah Papali’i 2 (57, 66), Will Penisini (71)
Goals: Mitch Moses 7 (12, 31, 37, 46, 51, 59, 71)
Field Goal: Mitch Moses (80)
MATCH REPORT
Embed from Getty Images1st Half
On a sunny afternoon at McDonald Jones Stadium the Knights were looking to turnaround a four-game losing streak against the Eels who were stunned by Wests Tigers on Easter Monday.
In pre-match news, Dylan Brown was moved into the centres and Jakob Arthur to five-eighth in a surprise move.
The Eels showed early promise to post first points when Mitch Moses opted to run on the last tackle and found space through the Knights defensive line, before his kick was fielded by Edrick Lee.
It was the Knights who went ahead after an error by Clint Gutherson, who failed to make ten metres from a goal line drop out. Jake Clifford converting a penalty goal from in front.
The Knights lead was short lived when Shaun Lane crossed from close range, exposing some poor goal line defence. Moses’ conversion was good.
As the game settled into a grind it was becoming clear that the Eels attack was more fluent, and the Knights clunky.
Ten minutes before the break and off the back of an Eels penalty, Lane was involved in a blindside play where he drew the defence and offloaded to Hayze Perham who scored in the corner.
Just before half-time an Eels penalty in front of the posts was converted by Moses.
Parramatta were in full control with the Knights just holding the floodgates from opening.
Kalyn Ponga spent time off the field through a HIA ruling after receiving an accidental knee.
HALF-TIME: Newcastle Knights 2 Parramatta Eels 14
Embed from Getty Images2nd Half
Newcastle couldn’t start the second half any worse with a cheap turnover inside their half leading to Dylan Brown going over for the Eels third try of the afternoon.
Soon after home side were let off the hook after another turnover inside their half, conceding a penalty in front of the post which Moses converted.
Parramatta were looking go into overdrive and punish the Newcastle outfit with every opportunity they had in attack.
Isaiah Papali’i continued the Eels charge towards a big win, powering his way over the line, dragging Knights defenders with him.
Parramatta cracked the thirty-point mark with thirteen minutes remaining with Papali’i making his way over from dummy half for his second.
Will Penisini added further pain to the Knights after Lee couldn’t clean up Moses’ kick from the scrum.
Moses completed the scoring on full-time with a field goal.
It was a horrible afternoon for the Knights who were poor in defence, especially on their line. Adam O’Brien’s job doesn’t get any easier next Sunday when they take on the Storm at home.
Parramatta’s effort sends a warning to their NRL counterparts that they’re switched on after last week’s embarrassment.
FULL-TIME: Newcastle Knights 2 Parramatta Eels 39
PLAYER OF THE YEAR POINTS
3 pts – Reed Mahoney (Eels), 2 pts – Isaiah Papali’i (Eels), 1 pt – Mitch Moses (Eels)
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