The Parramatta Eels have gone down to the South Sydney Rabbitohs 42-24 in their Telstra Premiership clash at ANZ Stadium on Thursday night.
The Eels came into the match following a confidence boosting win against the North Queensland Cowboys in Darwin last week.
Head coach Brad Arthur named the same 17 that got the job done on Saturday, with Peni Terepo dropping back to the bench and Tim Mannah promoted to the starting side the only change.
The Eels got on the scoreboard early when Corey Norman’s bomb to the left corner was spilled by South swinger Hymel Hunt and grounded by Josh Hoffman. Clint Gutherson was unable to convert and the Blue and Gold led 4-0.
Souths though hit back almost immediately after the kick-off was allowed to bounce out by Hoffman and Manu Ma’u. Off the ensuing scrum the Rabbitohs went to their left edge with Robert Jennings strolling over untouched.
Reynolds converted from the sideline and Souths led 6-4 after seven minutes.
Parramatta were back on the attack quickly after Souths dropped the ball working it off their own line. In the 13th minute they took advantage of their field position with Brad Takairangi taking the ball down the right edge, finding Gutherson who put George Jennings over.
Gutherson again couldn’t convert but the Blue and Gold were ahead 8-6.
The Eels then set up camp down the South Sydney end before Peni Terepo bulldozed his through the Souths forward pack and found Bevan French looming up in support who crossed just to the left of the uprights.
This time Gutherson added the extras and Parramatta led 14-6 after 24 minutes.
South Sydney were the next to score, again going through the hands on their left edge and Robert Jennings grabbing his second of the night.
Reynolds’ conversion cut the Eels lead to two points after 33 minutes.
Just before half-time Souths went to their left edge and Cody Walker, after spotting Bevan French was in the line, kicked in behind with Alex Johnston swooping on the loose ball.
Reynolds couldn’t convert from the left touch line and Souths went into the sheds with a 16-14 lead.
In the 42nd minute Cody Walker made a break down the left edge and put Jennings down the touch line with the winger finding Walker back on the inside. Nathan Brown though came across in cover defence and drove the five-eighth over the sideline who threw the ball forward in desperation.
In the 49th minute Alex Johnston cut through the middle and scored on the right edge. Adam Reynolds struck the upright with his conversion attempt and Souths led 20-14.
Souths were in again in the 51st minute through Robert Jennings who scored in the left corner. Reynolds was unable to convert and the Rabbitohs held a 24-14 lead.
In the 58th minute Hymel Hunt crossed for South Sydney on the right edge. Reynolds was again unable to convert and they led 28-14.
In the 61st minute Jennings scored his fourth of the night. This time Reynolds converted to give Souths a 34-14 lead.
In the 65th minute Tom Burgess scored under the posts after an Adam Reynolds kicked deflected into the arms of Cody Walker who found the big prop.
Reynolds converted from in front and gave Souths a 40-14 lead.
In the 68th minute the Eels went down a left edge short side with Bevan French putting a chip-kick through for Jarryd Hayne who collected the ball and scored untouched.
Gutherson converted and Souths led 40-20.
In the 75th minute the Eels went to their right edge and Gutherson fired a cut-out pass to Josh Hoffman who went over in the corner.
Gutherson couldn’t convert from touch and the score stood at 40-24.
In the 78th minute South Sydney received a penalty in front of the posts with Adam Reynolds adding the extras.
The final score stood at 42-24.
Parramatta Eels 24 (Tries: Hoffman 2, G Jennings, French, Hayne. Goals: Gutherson 2/5)
def by
South Sydney Rabbitohs 42 (Tries: R Jennings 4, Johnston 2, Hunt, T Burgess. Goals: Reynolds 5/9)
