The Parramatta Eels NYC side have won a tough match against the Brisbane Broncos NYC in their Round 21 clash at ANZ Stadium.
The Eels came into the match following a come from behind victory over the Wests Tigers that kept them in touch with the top four.
Brisbane though were the first to score through hooker Tyson Smoothy who dived over from close range in the 3rd minute. Halfback Gerome Burns converted and the Broncos led 6-0.
In the 15th minute the Eels hit back through their own dummy-half when co-captain Denzal Tonise crashed over. Lock Mitch Butfield missed the conversion and Brisbane held a slim 6-4 lead.
In the 19th minute Brisbane’s Joshua Fauid became the beneficiary of a lucky bounce from a grubber off the upright padding and scored to give his side a 12-4 lead.
The Eels looked to have hit back in the 22nd minute through Noel Aukafolau but the centre was pinged for a double movement.
With only six minutes left in the half Parramatta did post their second try of the match with five-eighth Dean Matterson sliding over on the right edge. Halfback and NYC debutant Dylan Brown was unable to convert and the Broncos had a 12-8 lead.
On the stroke of half time the Eels were in for their third after Greg Leleisiuao proving too hard to stop close to the line. Brown converted the try and gave the Eels a 14-12 lead at half time.
The two sides went blow for blow through the middle at the start of the second half before the Eels set up camp outside the Broncos line.
Parramatta thought they were in with 21 minutes left in the match but were called back due to obstruction.
The Eels finally broke through for the first points of the second half after 67 minutes. Right centre Emosi Alamoti crossed out wide off a cut-out ball from Dylan Brown. The halfback was unable to convert from the sideline and the Eels led for the first time in the match 18-12.
With seven minutes left on the clock Dylan Brown stepped up to kick a penalty goal and give the Eels a 20-12 lead which they held onto for the rest of the game.
Parramatta Eels 20 (Tries: Tonise, Matterson, Leleisiuao, Alamoti. Goals: Butfield 0/1, Brown 2/4)
Def
Brisbane Broncos 12 (Tries: Smoothy, Fauid. Goals: Burns 2/2)
