The Parramatta Eels’ season remains alive in the 2023 Jersey Flegg Cup, having downed the Penrith Panthers 30-20 in a 'Battle of the West' Elimination Final at North Sydney Oval.
By Sam Kosack
The Eels came back from an early 12-0 scoreline to progress to week two of the finals, while the reigning Premiers were eliminated from the finals series as a result of the loss.
First points came the way of the Panthers after 13 minutes of play. From a scrum close to the Eels' line, a shift to the right edge saw centre Samuel Lane crash through a hole, with winger Timothy Sielaff-Burns converting for a 6-0 lead.
The Panthers crossed again four minutes later through prop Peter Taateo off a crash play, with Sielaff-Burns adding the extras to extend Penrith’s lead to 12.
Parramatta responded in the 22nd minute through halfback Ethan Sanders. A quick play-the-ball saw hooker Matthew Arthur scoot to the try-line before popping a short ball to Sanders, who stormed over to reduce the margin to six.
Similar to the Eels’ first try, some slick dummy-half work from Arthur put No.15 Sam Tuivaiti on the front foot, muscling over multiple Panthers defenders to tie the game up for the Eels.
With 10 seconds left in the half, another short ball on from Arthur saw Eels centre Blaize Talagi slip through the Panthers' defence untouched, giving Parramatta an 18-12 lead at halftime.
Continuing his form from the first half, Arthur recorded his fourth try assist in 50 minutes when he darted out from hooker, this time putting prop Brock Parker over to extend the Eels lead back to 12.
Panthers centre Harrison Hassett ensured their season was still alive, scoring with 22 minutes remaining after the Eels failed to clean up a Penrith bomb, allowing the centre to follow through and grubber the ball for himself to reduce Parramatta’s lead to 24-16.
A diving effort from winger Matthew Komolafe in the corner put the Eels out to an ultimately unassailable 14-point lead in the 58th minute.
With Penrith needing to score next, a mighty solo effort from second-rower Riley Wake saw the Panthers reduce the deficit to 10 after 62 minutes. Wake carried numerous defenders with him over the line, but it wouldn’t be enough with Parramatta holding on for victory.
Match: Panthers v Eels
Finals Week 1 -
home Team
Panthers
4th Position
away Team
Eels
5th Position
Venue: North Sydney Oval, Sydney
Talking points
- Eels hooker Matthew Arthur was the standout, recording four try assists and guiding his team back into the contest after being 12-0 down early in the game.
- Arthur will aim to continue his form if Parramatta are to progress beyond next week.
Key moment
With the margin still close towards the end of the match, an impressive try-saver from Eels fullback Te Hurinui Twidle would prove to be crucial in the result of the game. Twidle ankle tapped Panthers winger Angelis Hotere-Papalii as he raced down the sideline, sending him into touch only a metre out from scoring.
What's next?
The Eels progress to the Minor Semi-final of Jersey Flegg Cup next Saturday, where they will take on the loser of tomorrow’s Qualifying Final between the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
