Parramatta has breathed life into its stuttering NRL marketing campaign by claiming a hard-fought 24-16 win over North Queensland.
Key factors:
Mitchell Moses clinched victory for the Eels with a late transformed striveThe consequence strikes the Eels to a 6-7 win-loss reportThe Eels misplaced new recruit Joe Ofahengaue to damage early within the match
The Eels have endured a topsy-turvy begin to 2023 and their fortunes took an extra twist on Friday night time when new recruit Joe Ofahengaue limped off simply seven minutes into his membership debut after signing from the Wests Tigers earlier this week.
Final 12 months’s grand finalists had been stable if unspectacular in entrance of 14,810 spectators at Western Sydney Stadium, with a late transformed strive from halfback Mitchell Moses getting them residence.
Holding a 6-7 win-loss report, the Eels now take pleasure in a much-needed bye with the win transferring them as much as tenth spot on the ladder.
North Queensland, in the meantime, battled valiantly, with a late Kyle Feldt double trying to have given the guests an opportunity of leaving Sydney’s west with a win till a rash offload from Coen Hess led to Moses’s late strive.
The Cowboys, smarting from final week’s 66-18 humbling by the hands of the Wests Tigers, started in spectacular vogue.
They seemed assured at any time when they moved the ball and an intricate show of passing allowed electrical fullback Scott Drinkwater to sprint in for the opener.
Ofahengaue, who was a part of the Tigers aspect which thumped the Cowboys earlier than Tuesday’s swap to the Eels, hobbled off quickly after and didn’t return.
Down a participant in a ahead rotation already with out Junior Paulo (State of Origin responsibility), Ryan Matterson (calf), Shaun Lane (hamstring) and Reagan Campbell-Gillard (groin), Parramatta coach Brad Arthur wanted his lesser-known troops to face up.
Makahesi Makatoa threw his weight round and fellow front-rower Wiremu Greig was ready to attract the Eels again degree, crashing in on the 18-minute mark as he loved one in all his finest first-grade showings so far.
The scores had been degree at 6-6 for the following 40 minutes, with Parramatta having two Sean Russell efforts chalked off.
The Cowboys seemed like they could be capable of stand up to the barrage of Eels’ assaults till Maika Sivo barged over within the nook.
Moses’ kicking recreation had suffocated the Cowboys and compelled them to convey the ball out of their very own finish.
Moses transformed Sivo’s strive from the left-hand touchline, repeating the trick when Russell slid in for a 63rd-minute landing on the opposite flank.
Feldt scored two tries within the remaining 10 minutes to ship the sport all the way down to the wire, earlier than Moses jinked his approach over to seal the win for the Eels.
AAP
