Eels ride wave of enthusiasm

The Parramatta Eels have beaten the Manly Sea Eagles 52-12 in a fiery clash at Parramatta Stadium.

As usual Manly got off to a slow start and they paid for it when Chris Muckert went over in the 13th minute to open the scoring for Parramatta.

It was in the 22nd minute though that provided the defining moment of the match when John Hopoate and Craig Stapleton came to blows ending with both players being sent to the sin bin.

With both teams being a man down they each traded a try before Junior Langi scored just before half time to take the score to 16-6 in Parramatta?s favour at the break.

The tension from the first half flowed into the second but it was all one way traffic as Parramatta packed on the points in a wave of emotion.

Parramatta Stadium Referee: Tony Archer Video Referee: Tim Mander Touch Judges: Steve Chiddy, Russell Turner Scorers: EELS 52 Tries: Widders 2, Burt, Muckert, Langi, Dykes, McKinnon, Morris, Muspratt Goals: Burt 8/9 defeated SEA EAGLES 12 Tries: Donald, Torrens Goals: Walker 2/2

By the clock: 0 min: After a minutes silence for the deaths of former referee Col Pearce and former Manly player Bob Batty we have the Kick-off.

1st min: NEWS - The first penalty has come very early in the match in favour of Parramatta putting them on attack 20 metres out from the Manly line.

6th min: NEWS - It's been a good start from both sides to this match as they look to over come recent poor form.

10th min: NEWS - Parramatta have now had two chances in the Manly danger zone and so far haven't looked like getting across the line.

13th min: TRY - Eels. After a quick play the ball Luke Burt made a great run from dummy half before popping the ball up for Chris Muckert to run over and score. Burt converts - Eels 6-0.

14th min: NEWS - Parramatta have undone their good work by letting the ball go dead from the kick-off, conceding a line drop out.

17th min: NEWS - Manly need to be careful as Luke Burt has very nearly taken two intercepts.

22nd min: NEWS - John Hopoate and Craig Stapleton have exploded in a fight throwing punches left, right and centre.

22nd min: SIN BIN - Craig Stapleton (Eels) for starting the fight with John Hopoate.

22nd min: SIN BIN - John Hopoate (Sea Eagles) for his part in the fight with Craig Stapleton.

25th min: TRY - Sea Eagles. Manly have scored an amazing try to stun an already aggravated try. Adam Dykes put a grubber in but Harris read the play and sent the ball out wide to Scott Donald who ran 90 metres to score. Walker converts - 6 all.

27th min: NEWS - Parramatta managed to get the ball back from the kick-off and two tackles later John Morris was held up over the line after a run from dummy half.

29th min: TRY - Eels. John Morris ran from dummy half and gave Widders an easy path to the line to score. Burt converts from the sideline - Eels 12-6.

32nd min: NEWS - Both Craig Stapleton and John Hopoate have returned from the sin bin.

33rd min: NEWS - Stapleton and Hopoate are continuing their battle giving each other a verbal spray.

35th min: TRY - Eels. Daniel Wagon on the last put a bomb up to the corner and the ball was battered back into the field to Junior Langi to score. Burt fails to convert - Eels 16-6.

39th min: NEWS - Parramatta have been denied a try by the video referee as they knocked the ball on in the play leading up to the try.

40th min: HALF TIME - It's been the usual slow start from the Sea Eagles, not offering too much particularly in the Eels danger zone. Parramatta on the other hand are looking very lively on the back of last weeks win. Half time score - Eels 16 Sea Eagles 6.

HALFTIME STATS: Penalties: Eels 7 - Sea Eagles 3 Completions: Eels 20/24 - Sea Eagles 13/17 Missed tackles: Eels 6 - Sea Eagles 18 Offloads: Eels 8 - Sea Eagles 4 Errors: Eels 10 - Sea Eagles 6 Tackles: Eels 122 - Sea Eagles 152 Hitups: Eels 93 - Sea Eagles 70

41st min: The Second Half is underway!

42nd min: NEWS - John Hopoate put one of the biggest hits you'll ever see on Justin Tsoulos sending both players flying.

45th min: TRY - Eels. Adam Dykes went straight through the Manly line to score a very soft try. Burt converts - Eels 22-6.

46th min: NEWS - Tension has boiled over again between these two sides as Leuluai caught Vella in a coat hanger tackle brining players in from every corner of the field.

46th min: NEWS - Kylie Leuluai has been put on report for his tackle on Vella bringing boos from the Parramatta tackle who wanted him sent off.

51st min: TRY - Eels. Corey Pearson gave a great offload to put Wade McKinnon over to score. Burt converts - Eels 28-6.

54th min: NEWS - Parramatta have been denied a try by the video referee but Manly have been penalised as Albert Torrens led with his legs in the final tackle of the play.

60th min: TRY - Sea Eagles. Jye Mullane ran to the line and threw a brilliant ball to Albert Torrens who strolled over to score. Walker converts - Eels 28-12.

63rd min: NEWS - Manly have been denied a try by the video referee for Kane Cleal being inside the ten metres from the kick.

67th min: TRY - Eels. Dean Widders went through a big hole before wrong footing the fullback to score under the posts. Burt converts - 34-12.

71st min: TRY - Eels. Luke Burt picked up a loose pass from Manly and ran 50 metres to score bringing Brian Smith and the Parramatta crowd to their feet. Burt converts his own try - Eels 40-12.

75th min: TRY - Eels. The celebration continues at Parramatta Stadium, this time John Morris ran on to a great pass and dived over the line. Burt converts - Eels 46-12.

78th min: TRY - Eels. Dean Widders picked up a loose ball from Manly and sent Muspratt in to bring up the 50 for Parramatta. Burt converts - Eels 52-12.

80th min: FULL TIME - It's been an amazing second half from the Eels filled with emotion from players, the coach and the fans. Final Score - Eels 52 Sea Eagles 12.

FULLTIME STATS: Penalties: Eels 13 - Sea Eagles 5 Completions: Eels 40/49 - Sea Eagles 19/31 Missed tackles: Eels 22 - Sea Eagles 40 Offloads: Eels 14 - Sea Eagles 9 Errors: Eels 15 - Sea Eagles 14 Tackles: Eels 203 - Sea Eagles 269 Hitups: Eels 174 - Sea Eagles 120

----------------------------------------- Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 - D Widders (Eels) 2 - J Morris (Eels) 1 - C Stapleton (eels) -----------------------------------------