Coote delivers Cowboys' fourth straight over brave Eels

v BYE

A brave Parramatta Eels have fallen to a classy Cowboys outfit tonight, with the home side triumhing 32-16 in a brusing top four encounter at 1300Smiles Stadium tonight.

The Eels began the contest with the premiers in professional fashion, with the two sides grinding out a tough, hard-hitting opening 10 minutes. Gaining the edge in possession and field position, the Eels looked to have scored the first try through Kieran Foran. However, it was called back for an obstruction and boy did it hurt!

The Cows went on to capitalise on the penalty with Gavin Cooper crossing for a simple try on the back of the somewhat controversial decision. You couldn't fault the effort from the away side, yet a couple of errors and a consequent penalty from hooker Nathan Peats gifted the home side another try, this time to Lachlan Coote who starred for the home side in the opening half. Coote came up with several clutch plays both with and without the ball, constantly shutting down the kicking threat of Norman and Foran.

Despite continuing to demonstrate great effort and desire, the Eels would concede a late penalty and head into the sheds with a demoralising 14-0 deficit. With 53% possession and 56% of the territory in the first half, the Eels would be disappointed heading into the break, yet, it was the class of the Cowboys which had been the defining factor in the opening 40.

The second half started much like that of the first, but this time it was the away side who crossed first with Semi Radradra cleaning up a loose ball to run 80 to score.

Parramatta, yet again found themselves in the grind, with a couple of errors gifting the visitors a chance to gain momentum. A key error from Manu Ma'u saw the Eels squander a perfect opportunity. He made up for it with an offload to Kieran Foran paving the way for another try to Semi Radradra not long after though.

Junior Paulo would then drop the ball in Parramatta's first set after points, with the Cowboys granted a perfect opportunity to bounce back. Yet, in what mirrored that of Radradra's first, a poor pass was intercepted by Michael Jennings, who sprinted away to give Parramatta their third try, and the lead.

However, in perhaps the biggest call of the night, Corey Norman would be sin-binned for a professional foul as Michael Morgan seemed likely to score, with Thurston locking it up at 16-16 from the subsequent penalty. The Cowboys would eventually take advantage of Norman's binning with 'JT' setting up Winterstein in the corner for a 22-16 lead.

Parramatta would, like they had for most of the game, hold on bravely, before a Gutherson error saw Michael Morgan stroll through to secure a hard-fought victory.

Parramatta would dominate the final minutes, gifted field possession in the Cow's 20 hoping to conjure a miracle. Yet, no such miracle would come with a beauty to Michael Morgan making sure the home fans left 1300Smiles Stadium with the major sponsor's grin on their face.

Despite an unflattering score line, Parramatta can be proud of their efforts, but it was the class of the Cowboys prevailing 32-16. The Eels head on to take on rivals Canterbury next Friday at ANZ Stadium, while the Cowboys travel to Brookvale next Saturday as they try to make it five straight against Manly.