Round 1, 1990: Parramatta 19 Penrith 10

Round 1, 1990: Parramatta 19 d Penrith 10

Official Yearbook of the NSWRL

It was a match dominated by weather conditions and Rugby League's own whirlwind, Peter Sterling.
Parramatta lost the toss and were forced to run into a galeforce wind in the first half. Incredibly, the Eels led 18-6 at the break after three pieces of Sterling magic.
Sterling's right hand man, Brett Kenny, scored two tries in 10 minutes off Sterling kicks to put the Eels ahead 12-0 and later a Sterling cut-out pass put Mark Laurie in for a try and an 18-6 lead.
Penrith's failure to use the wind was a key factor in their loss.
As the rains swamped Parramatta Stadium in the second half, cutting visibility, the match was closed down, but Parramatta retained their control and discipline and were never seriously threatened by the Panthers.
Penrith went into the match without second-rowers Mark Geyer and John Cartwright and had skipper Royce Simmons carrying injury.