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Tale of two halves - Australian Rugby league News
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globalrugbyleague - Sun, 16 Mar 2008 08:20:00 GMTParramatta won back the right to be labeled a ‘very good side’ after overturning a diabolical start to the season at ANZ Stadium on Saturday.
Christened as favourites by the media to snatch an opening round victory, the home side instead decided to get their worst performance of the year out of the way.
Like a Benny Hill comedy of errors, the Eels proved to be their own worst enemy in ball control.
In a dramatic tale of two halves, the Bulldogs finally went back to doing what they’ve traditionally done best: knock off teams early with multiple back to back tries in the first half.
Through tries to lock Lee Ta Maari, centre Willie Tonga and winger Hazem El Masri along with four goals from El Masri, the Bulldogs were off the leash and loving it.
But in a move which will make it harder for Tim Smith to win back his job, halfback Brett Finch helped create five second-half tries for Joel Reddy (2), Feleti Mateo (2) and Eric Grothe to win the game and create some history at the same time.
Even more embarrassing for the Bulldogs was the fact that the Eels were able to snatch the game on double duties: Having to score more points in forty minutes while having to deny the opposition any more.
Against a team that appeared hot, nervous and unable to find their rhythm, the Bulldogs quite simply should have gone in for the kill straight after the break. They didn't.
In the history of Canterbury-Bankstown, this ranks as the biggest half-time lead the club has ever surrendered and is viewed by Parramatta supporters as payback for the 1998 preliminary final.
Bulldogs coach Steve Folkes was sure his side would take positives from the game.
Whether Canterbury fans feel the same way is another talking point entirely.
Eels coach Michael Hagan has now masterminded three consecutive wins over Canterbury, a feat Parramatta has not recorded in this famous rivalry since 1986, the last time they won the Grand Final.
Is this a good luck omen?
Adding further salt to injury the Eels came back from a 16-0 deficit in their Toyota Cup clash against the Bulldogs to win 30-24.
And with some help from Daniel Mortimer, son of Bulldogs great Peter Mortimer.
Eels 28 (J Reddy 2, F Mateo 2, E Grothe tries; L Burt 4 goals) d Canterbury 20 (L Ta Maari, W Tonga, H El Masri tries; El Masri 4 goals) at Bank Stadium. Referee: J Robinson Crowd: 25,065. Penalties: Eels 7-7 Completions: Eels 31/44, Bulldogs 27/42 Missed Tackles: Eels 33, Bulldogs 22. GRL Game Gladiator: Brett Finch. - Read More, Here
Christened as favourites by the media to snatch an opening round victory, the home side instead decided to get their worst performance of the year out of the way.
Like a Benny Hill comedy of errors, the Eels proved to be their own worst enemy in ball control.
In a dramatic tale of two halves, the Bulldogs finally went back to doing what they’ve traditionally done best: knock off teams early with multiple back to back tries in the first half.
Through tries to lock Lee Ta Maari, centre Willie Tonga and winger Hazem El Masri along with four goals from El Masri, the Bulldogs were off the leash and loving it.
But in a move which will make it harder for Tim Smith to win back his job, halfback Brett Finch helped create five second-half tries for Joel Reddy (2), Feleti Mateo (2) and Eric Grothe to win the game and create some history at the same time.
Even more embarrassing for the Bulldogs was the fact that the Eels were able to snatch the game on double duties: Having to score more points in forty minutes while having to deny the opposition any more.
Against a team that appeared hot, nervous and unable to find their rhythm, the Bulldogs quite simply should have gone in for the kill straight after the break. They didn't.
In the history of Canterbury-Bankstown, this ranks as the biggest half-time lead the club has ever surrendered and is viewed by Parramatta supporters as payback for the 1998 preliminary final.
Bulldogs coach Steve Folkes was sure his side would take positives from the game.
Whether Canterbury fans feel the same way is another talking point entirely.
Eels coach Michael Hagan has now masterminded three consecutive wins over Canterbury, a feat Parramatta has not recorded in this famous rivalry since 1986, the last time they won the Grand Final.
Is this a good luck omen?
Adding further salt to injury the Eels came back from a 16-0 deficit in their Toyota Cup clash against the Bulldogs to win 30-24.
And with some help from Daniel Mortimer, son of Bulldogs great Peter Mortimer.
Eels 28 (J Reddy 2, F Mateo 2, E Grothe tries; L Burt 4 goals) d Canterbury 20 (L Ta Maari, W Tonga, H El Masri tries; El Masri 4 goals) at Bank Stadium. Referee: J Robinson Crowd: 25,065. Penalties: Eels 7-7 Completions: Eels 31/44, Bulldogs 27/42 Missed Tackles: Eels 33, Bulldogs 22. GRL Game Gladiator: Brett Finch. - Read More, Here