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ROUND 18
Fri 8 July 2005
7:30PM
Parramatta Stadium. Crowd: 20,199
Referee: Tim Mander
Scorers:
PARRAMATTA EELS 40
Tries: B Smith 3, Widders, McKinnon, Morrison,
Robinson
Goals: Morris 3/4, Riddell 3/3
ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS 14
Tries: Torrens, Cooper
Goals: Ennis 3/3, Gorrell 0/1
Live commentary:
Welcome to Parramatta Stadium for what
should be a ripper of a clash between
the Eels and the Dragons tonight!
For the Dragons, Albert Torrens will
replace Mark Gasnier in the centres and
Jason Ryles & Luke Bailey have both
joined the team and will start from the
bench. No late changes for the Eels.
0 min: Kickoff!
3 min: NEWS - John Morris puts Nathan
Hindmarsh into a gap close to the try-line,
but Hindmarsh's next pass is intercepted
by the Dragons.
5 min: NO TRY - Dragons
Consecutive attacking sets for the Dragons,
but they have nothing to show for it as
Colin Best is shoved over the sideline
with a try beckoning.
9 min: TRY - Dragons
Albert Torrens opens the scoring tonight,
chasing through a Dean Young grubber that
deflected off a couple of Eels.
Michael Ennis adds the extra two.
Eels 0 Dragons 6
13 min: Some magical play from the Eels,
with Nathan Cayless producing a great
offload to put Wade McKinnon into a gap.
The Eels have now forced a goal-line dropout.
15 min: A huge Tim Smith pass is intercepted
by Albert Torrens who races 60 metres
downfield before being dragged down by
Eric Grothe.
16 min: PENALTY GOAL - Dragons
The Eels tried to slow down the Dragons
attack by conceding a penalty, and Michael
Ennis steps up to add another two points.
Eels 0 Dragons 8
19 min: NEWS - Luke Bailey now on for
the Dragons, who are well ahead in the
possession and territory stakes at the
moment.
25 min: PENALTY GOAL - Dragons
Michael Ennis kicks another goal following
a penalty after a high shot from Chad
Robinson.
Eels 0 Dragons 10
29 min: Colin Best (Dragons) scoots out
of dummy half and streaks 30 metres downfield
before Wade McKinnon tackles him over
the sideline.
32 min: TRY - Eels
Ben Smith slides across after taking a
brilliant offload from Dean Widders. The
try comes on the back of four consecutive
sets for the home team as errors and a
lack of discipline have started creeping
in for the Dragons.
The conversion attempt from John Morris
is a shocker.
Eels 4 Dragons 10
39 min: TRY - Eels
Ben Smith grabs a double, and again Dean
Widders threw the final pass. The field
position was set up by another slashing
mid-field run from Wade McKinnon from
a Nathan Hindmarsh offload.
John Morris adds the extra two.
Eels 10 Dragons 10
HALFTIME: Eels 10 Dragons 10
It's been a first half of two halves tonight.
The Dragons started strongly but could
only manage the one try, and the Eels
fired up considerably once their bench
players (and especially Dean Widders)
were introduced.
Nathan Hindmarsh and Wade McKinnon have
been the Eels best, while Dean Young and
Albert Torrens have looked dangerous for
the visitors.
Possession: Eels 50% Dragons 50%
Completion: Eels 16/24 Dragons 13/18
Missed tackles: Eels 13 Dragons 16
Offloads: Eels 7 Dragons 4
The second half is underway!
42 min: The video ref is checking a possible
Dragons try ...
42 min: TRY - Dragons
Matt Cooper gets the Dragons off to the
perfect start. A Chris Sheppard kick takes
a nasty bounce for the Eels, and the Dragons
are on hand to capitalise.
Aaron Gorrell misses with the conversion.
Eels 10 Dragons 14
48 min: The Dragons have started the
second half full of fire, with several
strong runs and some smashing hits on
defence.
49 min: TRY - Eels
Dean Widders scores completely against
the run of play. Widders helped to set
up an overlap for Eric Grothe to make
a clean break on halfway, and then followed
through to claim the try.
John Morris adds the extras.
Eels 16 Dragons 14
53 min: The video ref is called on again
- Trent Barrett and PJ Marsh have been
involved in a scuffle that has erupted,
but meanwhile Wade McKinnon has raced
through to claim a try. Decision pending
...
53 min: TRY - Eels (!!!)
Trent Barrett put in a downfield kick
and resented a slightly late & high
tackle from PJ Marsh, and got up swinging.
Most of the players from both teams got
involved in the brawl, and Wade McKinnon
ignored it all to pick up the ball and
race away for the try. We're bound to
hear more about this one!
John Morris kicks the extra two.
Eels 22 Dragons 14
61 min: The Dragons are throwing everything
into their game now to claw back this
defecit, but the Eels are holding firm.
Trent Barrett is being very loudly 'booed'
by a vocal Parra crowd every time he touches
the ball.
63 min: Nathan Hindmarsh saves a certain
Dragons try by diving on a Clint Greenshields
grubber, only just beating Dean Young
to the ball.
68 min: TRY - Eels
Ben Smith claims a hat-trick in sensational
style. The Dragons had only just received
a repeat set within 10 metres from the
Eels line, but a fumble handed the ball
to Smith who raced away to score the try.
Mark Riddell converts.
Eels 28 Dragons 14
72 min: Another strong chance for a Dragons
try is lost as Wes Naiqama knocks-on with
a clear run to the line in front of him.
76 min: TRY - Eels
Glenn Morrison scores. A great pass from
Ben Smith created some space for Eric
Grothe, who puts in an in-field chip which
is well claimed by Morrison.
Mark Riddell's conversion is successful.
Eels 34 Dragons 14
80 min: TRY - Eels
Chad Robinson finishes off a great Eels
try, started on halfway after a Nathan
Cayless offload. Plenty of jubilation
from the home team as you'd expect, as
they've certainly finished this match
on fire.
Mark Riddell kicks another two points.
Eels 40 Dragons 14
FULL TIME: Eels 40 Dragons 14
The Parramatta Eels have outscored the
Dragons by 30-4 in the second half to
claim a very strong victory in front of
their vocal home crowd tonight.
Full time stats:
Possession - Eels 51% Dragons 49%
Completion - Eels 34/45 Dragons 26/37
Missed tackles - Eels 28 Dragons 35
Offloads - Eels 11 Dragons 11
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Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 - Nathan Hindmarsh (Eels)
2 - Ben Smith (Eels)
1 - Wade McKinnon (Eels)
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