AT A GLANCE
A Mitchell Moses field goal with seven minutes to play helped sealed a perfect start for the Parramatta Eels, who have opened their NRL season with four straight wins.
Parramatta Eels beat Manly Sea Eagles 19-16 in a dramatic match last night, after opening out to an 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 up 19-12 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.
The Eels scored tries through Michael Jennings in the 30th minute, Kiwi halfback Dylan Brown in the 39th, and Kane Evans one minute later.
Moses said after the controversial finish: ‘‘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 hands and drifting forward.
With only one referee for the restarted season, there were already fears that errors would be made.
Parramatta had to not get to the far ahead of itself. He was going to take a field goal when he had the chance, which came off a fast play-the-ball, Moses said.
An earlier set up had been stymied by an error. Parramatta play the Penrith Panthers next.
(M Jennings D Brown K Evans tries, M Moses 3 goals, Moses field gl) (J Taufua 2 D Walker tries, R Garrick 2 goals)
Eels 19
Eagles 16
Ht: 12-2