MOSES SETS UP THRILLING EELS WIN
A CONTROVERSIAL penalty try ended Newcastle’s season but kept Parramatta’s alive as the Eels finished 28-20 victors in an entertaining Sunday afternoon of football.
It came down to their wire in front of a sellout crowd at Rockhampton’s Browne Park with a Will Penisini penalty try in the 76th minute all but ending the Knights season.
Leading by just two points, the video referee ruled Penisini was taken out without the ball on his way towards scoring a try.
However, many pundits believe Clint Gutherson’s kick that led to the try may have been a knock on.
In the end, the Eels managed to overcome their horror finals record — losing six of their past seven games leading into Sunday’s game — to continue their campaign in a quest to ending their premiership drought.
Parramatta halfback Mitchell Moses was impressive, engineering a two-try blitz just minutes out from halftime which proved all the difference.
It was only a matter of weeks ago Parramatta’s season was under heavy criticism but they’ve now advanced through to the second week of the finals to become a real threat.
Moses and winger Blake Ferguson combined to turn a 10-6 deficit into a 16-10 lead heading into halftime which knocked the wind out of Newcastle’s sails.
Ferguson backed it up again in the second half to stretch Parramatta’s lead out to 12 points which Newcastle was simply unable to make ground on.
Parramatta face a nervous wait at the NRL judiciary this week with a trio of players placed on report on Sunday afternoon.
Marata Niukore was placed on report for a late shot on a Newcastle player while left centre Waqa Blake could miss a week for his shot on Knights forward Tyson Frizell.
Junior Paulo’s shoulder to the head of Newcastle’s Kurt Mann will also come under the review of the NRL judiciary.
SEMI-FINALS
Friday, September 17, 7.50pm, BB Print Stadium, Mackay - Manly Sea Eagles v Sydney Roosters
Saturday, September 18, 7.50pm, BB Print Stadium, Mackay - Penrith Panthers v Parramatta Eels