Eels slip past Eagles

Sydney: Sydney: A Mitchell Moses field goal with seven minutes to play helped seal a perfect start for the Parramatta Eels, who have opened their NRL season with four straight wins.

The Eels beat Manly Sea Eagles 19-16 in a dramatic match, after opening up a 12-2 lead in the first half.

When Reuben Garrick sprinted across with a minute to go it appeared Manly had pulled off a stunning victory. But he was pulled back for a forward pass from fullback Tom Trbojevic.

“I thought I flipped it back, I didn’t see too much of it,” Trbojevic said after the match.

“Disappointing result.”

Moses put the Eels 19-12 ahead when it seemed Manly were getting the best of the arm wrestle.

When Jorge Taufua scored in the corner soon after it was all on. It was the second try for Taufua in the second half, with the other going to Dylan Walker.

Parramatta scored tries through Michael Jennings in the 30th minute, Dylan Brown in the 39th, and Kane Evans one minute later.

Moses said: “It was a forward pass, I’m happy the refs got it right.”

The pass appeared to be fair, coming out of the back of the hands and drifting forward.

With only one referee for the restarted season, there were already fears that errors would be made.

Moses said he was going to take a field goal when he had the chance, which came off a fast play with seven minutes left on the clock.

An earlier set up had been stymied by an error, Moses said. Results:Roosters 59 - 0 Broncos. Penrith Panthers 26-0 Warriors. Melbourne Storm 22- 8 Rabbitohs.

Cowboys 16-26 Sharks. Eels 19- 16 Eagles.

Stuff