Dragons show the way at Parramatta
Report from: Alison Nolan
21/05/04

A vocal crowd had turned out to see the Eels take on the Dragons at Parramatta Stadium with the Dragons putting on a fine display in the second half of the match to win by 37-6. With the score only 8-6 at the halftime break, the second half promised to be a tight affair, not the score blowout for the Dragons that eventuated.

Both sides had been guilty of unforced errors in the first half, moreso the Dragons who bombed two certain tries. The second half saw the Dragons make the passes stick and run away with the game scoring 29 unanswered points in 24 minutes, including 5 tries.

With Nathan Blacklock leaving the match within 15 minutes of the game, succumbing to a hamstring injury, the option to move Ben Creagh out to the centres from the second row proved to be fruitful as he busted the Eels line time and again. Matthew Head returning from injury directed play extremely well. Jason Ryles also returning from injury to lead the side, caused the Parramatta side a bit of stress. The Dragons side has been riddled with injuries and players out for Origin duty, making the victory all that much sweeter.

Wade McKinnon at the back for the Eels had to put in a lot of work as the Dragons pounded the line, and he defended with confidence. Daniel Wagon and Dean Widders put in a huge amount of work for the Eels but the confidence in the Dragons team grew as the game went on and in the end the Parramatta team just had no answers.

The disappointment of the home crowd was heard at the end of the game as the players left the field.

Parramatta Stadium
Referee: Paul Simpkins

Scorers:
EELS 6
Tries: Grothe
Goals: Thorman 1/1
defeated by
DRAGONS 37
Tries: Holdsworth 2, Simmonds, Head, Howell, Riddell
Goals: Riddell 5/6, Head 1/1,
FIELD GOAL: Head 1/1

By the clock:

Time to play some football. A good crowd in for the game at Parramatta Stadium

0 min: Kick off!

5th min: NEWS - Solid start to the game for both sides

5th min: TRY - Simmonds for Dragons. A set of six close to the line following a failed intercept by the Eels. Matthew Head puts in a great kick for his winger who obliges. Riddell from close to the sideline, hits the ball straight down the middle to convert the try. Dragons 6-0

8th min: NEWS - The Dragons ripping the Eels defence to shred. Forwards and backs involved in a 70 metre movement that should've ended in a try. Unfortunately for them, it ended in a double movement over the tryline. Well done to the Eels defence for stopping a certain try. Dragons 6-0

10th min: TRY - Grothe for Eels. Spinning the ball out wide to Grothe, he takes on three Dragons defenders and wins to score in the corner. The Dragons players hinting at obstruction by Ryles but is discounted. Thorman gets a beauty kick from the sideline. 6-6

13th min: NEWS - Blacklock (Dragons) pulling up and falling with the ball while running, has left the field and up the tunnel. Looks to be a hamstring injury

14th min: NEWS - No try to the Dragons, Jensen knocking on just over the line from another brilliant little kick to the in goal by Head. Score remains 6 all

20th min: NEWS - Both teams having chances, and bombing chances through pressure. A good game

24th min: NEWS - Back to back penalties to the Eels close to their line are defended well by the Dragons. Errors creeping into the Dragons game giving possession back to the Eels on 3 or 3 occasions 20 metres out, putting pressure on the defence once more. 6 all

27th min: NEWS - David Howell (Dragons) twice in the last five minutes has taken two great catches in goal to snub out the Eels attack

29th min: NEWS - No try to Morris for the Eels following a terrific run by Peterson to have the ball close to the line. Morris penalised for a double movement and then marched 10 metres for backchat. Scores still locked up

34th min: PENALTY GOAL - Head for Dragons. Close to the Dragons goal line, the Eels defence is penalised for carrying on in the tackle. Head from right in front makes no mistakes. Dragons 8-6

HALFTIME: Errors by both sides has kept the scoring low, but still a very close game. Dragons lead 8-6

HALFTIME STATS:
Completions: Eels 20/27 - Dragons 10/22
Penalties: Eels 9 - Dragons 6
Possession: Eels 54% - Dragons 46%
Missed tackles: Eels 10 - Dragons 13
Errors: Eels 6 - Dragons 12

Second half underway

44th min: NEWS - Another dropped ball by the Dragons close to their line, another try goes begging after a great lead up

48th min: NEWS - Ashton Sims (Dragons) over the tryline and just needing to get the ball down but determined defence once again by the Eels for a one on one strip and there's nothing added to the scoreline. Penalty to the Eels. Dragons still lead 8-6

50th min: NEWS - Things a little heated borne out of frustration as the Eels come close to scoring but lose the ball in the 5th tackle. The error count is rising for both sides

54th min: NEWS - Beautiful hands by the Eels on the fifth tackle to spread the ball wide and Langi just misses out on scoring with Riddell doing well to get back to cover. Score remains unchanged 8-6 to the Dragons

56th min: TRY - Head for Dragons. Finally the Dragons score. A penalty close to the line is taken quickly. The tap comes to Head who catches the Eels defence napping and is in to score. Riddell converts. Dragons 14-6

62nd min: TRY - Howell for Dragons. A mistake by Dykes on attack and the Dragons set sail for the other end of the field. A penalty gives further possession to the Dragons 30 metres out and the spread it wide quickly and perfectly to set up Howell in the corner. Riddell misses the conversion. Dragons 18-6

65th - TRY - Holdsworth for Dragons. A try on debut as the Dragons attack starts from halfway. Greenshields put through the kick for Holdsworth to score. Riddell converts. Dragons 24-6

68th min: FIELD GOAL - Head for Dragons. Just to put a bit of salt in the wound, and make the scoreline safe, Head adds one point. Dragons 25-6

71st min: TRY - Riddell for Dragons. A break through the tiring Eels defence and Riddell beats the fullback to score. He converts his own try. Dragons 31-6

75th min: TRY - Holdsworth for Dragons. Once again from halfway the Dragons launch their attack. Ben Creagh out in the centres since Blacklock left the game, busts through the line and passes to Holdsworth who gets his second. Conversion to Riddell. Dragons 37-6

FULLTIME: A blowout in the end to the Dragons after they finally managed to hold onto the ball, and they looked impressive. A few boos coming from the crowd for the Eels players

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Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 - M Head (Dragons)
2 - B Creagh (Dragons)
1 - J Ryles(Dragons)
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