Dragons upset Eels
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Parramatta’s chances of finishing in the NRL top four have nosedived, with the Eels losing to a determined St.George Illawarra 14-6 at WIN Stadium.
The loss is the third in a row for Parramatta, who slip to sixth on the ladder with one round remaining.
The contest was brutal, with both teams suffering a heavy toll. Eels second rower Ian Hindmarsh was stretched off in a neck brace in the first half, feeling pins and needles. He was later described as ‘fine’. Teammate Chad Robinson appeared to suffer a serious shoulder injury, but returned shortly after. Dragons trio Mark Gasnier, Jamie Soward and Adam Peek all ended the game with severe facial cuts.
The Dragons had the best of the match in the early stages, finally putting points on the board when Gasnier put Rangi Chase through in the 23rd minute. That sparked the Dragons in action, with their attack becoming crisp and constantly threatening.
Half Jamie Soward found winger Nightingale with a pinpoint chip three minutes later to extend the Dragons lead.
Parramatta awoke in the in the early stages of the second half, but chances were constantly butchered, with a series of knock on’s and forward passes.
The drought was broken with a dubious try. Feliti Mateo appeared to perform a double movement, but the video referee gave his approval. The conversion was landed and the Eels were within a converted try with twenty minutes remaining.
From there the Dragons played a safe brand of football, rarely in good field position, but also rarely threatened.
A 42m penalty goal from Jamie Soward with two minutes left secured victory, ensuring the Dragons would not be the recipients of the wooden spoon.
“We just wanted to come off, so everyone could look in the mirror and say ‘I gave it everything’,” said Dragons coach Nathan Brown.
Eels Nathan Hindmarsh was placed on report for a dangerous tackle on Ashton Sims. It topped off an unhappy match for the Parramatta second rower.
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