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Post by Electric Eel on May 24, 2020 16:26:12 GMT 10
2007 Qualifying Final: Parramatta 12 d New Zealand 10
Foxsports.com
Eels claim first blood
By Todd Balym
AAP September 07, 2007 12:00AM
PARRAMATTA claimed a stunning 12-10 victory over the New Zealand Warriors in the NRL qualifying final at Mt Smart Stadium to book themselves either a home semi or preliminary final.
The Eels scored tries from kicks, through young stars Feleti Mateo and Jarryd Hayne, within six minutes late in the contest to overcome a spirited Warriors outfit and silence a parochial 28,745-strong crowd.
Parramatta grabbed a 12-4 lead when Jarryd Hayne scored in the 70th minute, but the Eels had to withstand a furious Warriors revival after video referee Bill Harrigan awarded the home side a penalty try in the 77th minute - after Eels replacement Chad Robinson had tackled Michael Witt early to prevent a certain four-pointer.
But the Eels defence held strong, as it had all night, to claim a memorable win. Parramatta will now host its next finals game, most likely next week.
The Eels could earn a free passage into the preliminary finals if there are two upsets in the remaining three qualifying finals this weekend.
The Warriors should survive to play next week, but their NRL season is over if those upsets eventuate.
Parramatta, led by inspirational prop Nathan Cayless, withstood an incredible amount of pressure - at one stage making 23 consecutive tackles to repel six successive sets from the Warriors.
"The fact the players kept turning up and working hard for each other was a pleasing sign for the team," Eels coach Michael Hagan said.
"I don't know about the premiership but I know it's going to require that type of attitude over the coming weeks."
Warriors captain Steve Price said his side had been guilty of not converting opportunities.
"The difference between the two teams was we just missed a couple of opportunities, and the opportunities that they got they nailed," Price said.
The sides went to the break at 0-0 after they each butchered a try-scoring opportunity in the first 40 minutes.
Warriors centre Todd Byrne was guilty of bobbling a grounding when he should have dived on the ball in the 26th minute, and Parramatta counterpart Timana Tahu lost control of the ball as he fell over the line.
But Byrne made amends after the break, slamming down the home side's first points of the game in the 45th minute.
Byrne caught and grounded a tap back from wing Patrick Ah Van, the third time in the game the Warriors player had outjumped Eels marker Krisnan Inu. Michael Witt failed to convert.
The Warriors attacked relentlessly but only back rower Logan Swann went close, ruled by Harrigan to have been held up.
The Eels then produced a moment of brilliance to spark to life, with halfback Tim Smith's crossfield kick batted back by Brett Finch for Mateo to dive on the ball.
The Eels continued to build pressure, and hooker P.J. Marsh's grubber was perfect for Hayne to outsprint Price to score what turned out to be the match winner.
Foxsports.com
Eels claim first blood
By Todd Balym
AAP September 07, 2007 12:00AM
PARRAMATTA claimed a stunning 12-10 victory over the New Zealand Warriors in the NRL qualifying final at Mt Smart Stadium to book themselves either a home semi or preliminary final.
The Eels scored tries from kicks, through young stars Feleti Mateo and Jarryd Hayne, within six minutes late in the contest to overcome a spirited Warriors outfit and silence a parochial 28,745-strong crowd.
Parramatta grabbed a 12-4 lead when Jarryd Hayne scored in the 70th minute, but the Eels had to withstand a furious Warriors revival after video referee Bill Harrigan awarded the home side a penalty try in the 77th minute - after Eels replacement Chad Robinson had tackled Michael Witt early to prevent a certain four-pointer.
But the Eels defence held strong, as it had all night, to claim a memorable win. Parramatta will now host its next finals game, most likely next week.
The Eels could earn a free passage into the preliminary finals if there are two upsets in the remaining three qualifying finals this weekend.
The Warriors should survive to play next week, but their NRL season is over if those upsets eventuate.
Parramatta, led by inspirational prop Nathan Cayless, withstood an incredible amount of pressure - at one stage making 23 consecutive tackles to repel six successive sets from the Warriors.
"The fact the players kept turning up and working hard for each other was a pleasing sign for the team," Eels coach Michael Hagan said.
"I don't know about the premiership but I know it's going to require that type of attitude over the coming weeks."
Warriors captain Steve Price said his side had been guilty of not converting opportunities.
"The difference between the two teams was we just missed a couple of opportunities, and the opportunities that they got they nailed," Price said.
The sides went to the break at 0-0 after they each butchered a try-scoring opportunity in the first 40 minutes.
Warriors centre Todd Byrne was guilty of bobbling a grounding when he should have dived on the ball in the 26th minute, and Parramatta counterpart Timana Tahu lost control of the ball as he fell over the line.
But Byrne made amends after the break, slamming down the home side's first points of the game in the 45th minute.
Byrne caught and grounded a tap back from wing Patrick Ah Van, the third time in the game the Warriors player had outjumped Eels marker Krisnan Inu. Michael Witt failed to convert.
The Warriors attacked relentlessly but only back rower Logan Swann went close, ruled by Harrigan to have been held up.
The Eels then produced a moment of brilliance to spark to life, with halfback Tim Smith's crossfield kick batted back by Brett Finch for Mateo to dive on the ball.
The Eels continued to build pressure, and hooker P.J. Marsh's grubber was perfect for Hayne to outsprint Price to score what turned out to be the match winner.
