Eels slay Dragons, move into top eight

The golden run from the Parramatta Eels continued tonight, slaying the St George-Illawarra Dragons 28-6 at Parramatta Stadium.

The home team celebrated 20-years at the venue in style, scoring four tries to one which propelled them into the top eight for the first time this season. A feat made more emphatic after many critics condemned them to the wooden spoon only seven weeks ago.

Both teams came into the match with vastly different form guides. The Eels’ having won their previous six matches, while the Dragons’ having lost their last three straight.

However, despite conceding the first try of the match and being without six regulars, Parramatta capitalised on the slippery conditions.

While wet, the conditions were tame compared to the last encounter between these teams – which saw the Dragons snatch an unlikely seven-point win at Kogarah Oval (Oki Jubilee).

St George-Illawarra were quick on the board, a third minute penalty to Mathew Head after Eels’ prop Glenn Morrison infringed was followed two minutes later by Colin Best strolling over out wide after Dragons’ skipper Trent Barrett’s cross-field kick.

On the half-hour, Luke Burt swooped on a grubber kick from John Morris for the Eels’ first try.

With half time closing in, the Eels’ posted a second try through Eric Grothe and took a 10-6 lead to the interval.

Try-scoring machine Jarryd Hayne did play, however he was not amongst the scorers this evening, though he came agonisingly close.

Instead, fellow winger Grothe scored a double with his second, and the Eels’ third, coming just six minutes into the second half.

A conversion and two penalty goals from Burt followed as the Eels’ extended the margin to 14 points (20-6).

The sin binning of Danny Wicks for a professional foul on Dean Widders, in the 52nd minute, did not help the Dragons either.

Chad Robinson sealed the game with a 64th minute try, while Burt kicked his third conversion goal and then slotted over a penalty goal five minutes from full time.

Next week, Cronulla and Parramatta meet at Toyota Park on Saturday night in a showdown that could determine who remains alive for a finals place in season 2006.

The Dragons’ top four aspirations are now on the line, and next Sunday afternoon they confront the second placed Bulldogs at Telstra Stadium.

NRL Premiership - Round 22

PARRAMATTA EELS 28
Tries: Goals:
Eric Grothe (2) Luke Burt 6/7
Luke Burt
Chad Robinson

ST GEORGE-ILLAWARRA 6
Tries: Goals:
Colin Best Mathew Head 1/2

@ Parramatta Stadium, Sydney
Referee: Steve Clark
Crowd: 19,137