Eels can't find points against Broncos

The Pirtek Parramatta Eels could not find enough points to defeat the Brisbane Broncos, going down 10-6 in a low-scoring game at Parramatta Stadium.

The Broncos scored early through the playmaking brilliance of Darren Lockyer, who broke Andrew Ettingshausen's record for the most games for one club with 329 matches, against the Eels.

Lockyer kicked back towards the post from the right to four waiting Broncos, with halfback Peter Wallace plucking the ball from his team-mates to score. It was an easy conversion for Corey Parker and the Broncos were up 6-0.

The Parramatta Eels struck back eight minutes later, also through a kick. Daniel Mortimer chipped to the right but no one could hold onto it. Jarryd Hayne picked up the loose ball and shimmied past five Broncos to slam the ball down near the corner post.

Luke Burt's conversion was on track but fell just short, leaving the Eels behind 6-4.

Burt was able to even the scores at the end of the half however when he was awarded a penalty for being knocked away from the ball while chasing a grubber kick over the tryline from Mortimer.

There was nothing between the sides at halftime and it stayed that way at the start of the second half. Brisbane mistakes gave the Eels a couple of chances in the scoring zone but Parramatta could not find the points. In the next five minutes the Broncos had all the possession but the Eels scrambled brilliantly to keep them out.

In the 61st minute though, the wall finally broke, with a cut-out pass from Wallace to Parker sending him past Joel Reddy. Parker then offloaded to an unmarked Israel Folau to score. Parker missed the conversion but the Broncos still had a 10-6 lead.

Both sides led an aerial assault on each other and the bombs almost worked for the Eels when Josh Hoffman dropped one, but they could not find the final pass. The Broncos then almost scored from another bomb but a knock on was ruled.

In the end mistakes cost the Eels at crucial times, often when inside the Broncos' 20 metres, and they could not find the points in a low-scoring match, going down 10-6.

PARRAMATTA EELS 6 (Jarryd Hayne try, Luke Burt goal) BRISBANE BRONCOS 10 (Peter Wallace, Israel Folau tries, Corey Parker goal) at Parramatta Stadium. Crowd: 15,929.