Eels triumph over Jets

Premier League Grand Final
Parramatta Eels 20 v Newtown Jets 19
at Telstra Stadium
Referee: Shayne Hayne

Match Summary:
In a thrilling game of footy, Premier League minor premiers Parramatta Eels have been victorious over a gallant Newtown Jets by 20-19.

The Jets began the stronger, opening up a 10-nil lead with tries to fullback Aidan Kirk in the 6th minute out wide before big Charlie Tonga barged his way across the chalk in the 10th minute to extend the lead.

Shortly after the Eels clicked into gear and hit back through man-of-the-match Marcus Perenara. He found his way to the line next to the posts, clawing the score back to 10-6.

But a cantankerous Jets outfit wouldn?t lie down, bagging up another four-pointer to winger Troy Malcolm in the 22nd minute to open up a 16-6 lead.

Five minutes later the Eels were in again, with Perenara adding to his try-scoring feats. With the conversion they trailed 16-12 before Malcolm added another penalty goal in the 37th minute to push Newtown out to an 18-12 lead.

Several opportunities came and went for the Eels before they finally found the line again, this time through the other Perenara, Henry. With the conversion the teams went into the sheds at 18-16.

The second half was a low-scoring affair, but Williams added another two thanks to a penalty and tied things up in the 46th minute. The remaining 45 minutes of play, including extra time, yielded three points and some very close shaves.

Marcus Perenara took the lead for the Eels in the 74th minute with a field goal before Josh Lewis levelled proceedings in the 78th to effectively take the game into extra time.

Both sides traded blows in the final period before Perenara again found space to slot the match winner with only seconds remaining in the final period of extra time.


Scorers:
Parramatta Eels: 20
Tries: Marcus Perenara(2), Henry Perenara
Goals: John Williams 3/4
Field Goals: Marcus Perenara
Newtown Jets: 19
Tries: Aiden Kirk, Troy Malcolm, Charlie Tonga
Goals: Josh Lewis 3/4
Field Goals: Josh Lewis

By the Clock:
Great day out here at Telstra where the Eels and the Jets do battle in Premier League. There's plenty of first grade experience for both teams here.

Changes:

Kenny-Odowall comes in for Lai for the Jets. The Eels are as per the program.

Numbers 18-20 drop off the bench for both teams.

3 min: NEWS Both teams just settling into the contest here.

6 min: TRY Newtown Jets
The Jets open the scoring through fullback Aiden Kirk, who floats wide and takes a good ball before pushing of two defenders. Josh Lewis fails from close to the sideline.
Jets 4-0

8 min: NEWS A bit of mayhem with the Eels failing to field a kick and nearly get scored against again. Mistakes aplenty by Parra. Kirk is off with a limp and blood nose.

10 min: TRY Newtown Jets
Pressing the line, big Charlie Tonga storms over the chalk to take advantage of the Jets good field position. Lewis nals this from next to the posts.
Jets 10-0

13 min: TRY Parramatta Eels
Parra hit back with a try under the sticks to halfback Marcus Perenera. John Williams adds the extras and the minor premiers are back in the hunt.
Jets 10-6

15 min: NEWS A vicious hit by Peter Lewis on Troy Malcolm sees the big prop on report.

22 min: TRY Newtown Jets
A deft kick by Josh Lewis finds Malcolm lurking out wide to score for the Jets. Great looking try. Lewis adds the extras from out wide, learning from his previous mistake.
Jets 16-6

25 min: NEWS Parra making plenty of errors here with the Jets applying pressure to the minor premiers. There could be another upset here at Telstra.

27 min: TRY Parramatta Eels
The Eels are in again through halfback Perenera. He took the ball one off the ruck close to the line, dummied, jinked and barged over next to the posts. Williams adds the extras
Jets 16-12

29 min: NEWS Parra knock-on from the restart!

32 min: NEWS Henry Perenera is denied a try by some great Jets defence close to the line.

37 min: PENALTY GOAL Newtown Jets
Lewis adds another two thanks to a penalty. The Jets stretch their lead to a converted try and are looking good.
Jets 18-12

40 min: TRY Parramatta Eels
In a controversial try, the Eels push close to the line and Henry Perenera plants the ball out wide despite the attention of three Jets players. Williams just shades the posts from the sideline.
Jets 18-16

40 min: NEWS A see-sawing game out here at Telstra with the minor premiers, the Parramatta Eels, staging a strong comeback to come within two points of the Jets at the break. The Eels look to have the momentum and could continue on in the second half. The Jets do have plenty of first grade experience and won't give up without a fight.

41 min: NEWS We're underway in the second half and it promises to be a rip-snorter!

45 min: NEWS Penalty to the Eels after the Jets hold back a player chasing a chip.

46 min: PENALTY GOAL Parramatta Eels
Williams ties it up with a penalty as both teams look to stamp their authority on the second half.
18 all.

53 min: NEWS Jets get trapped in-goal as the Eels start to pressure them.

62 min: NEWS Parra starting to build to something here. This one could go down to the wire.

63 min: NEWS Now the Jets press the line but the final pass goes to ground.

68 min: NEWS Winger Troy Malcolm for the Jets goes so close, but is held up in a coach-killer.

71 min: NEWS Mistakes creeping into the game as the pressure intensifies.

73 min: NEWS Missed field goal attempt by Eels five-eighth Green.

74 min: FIELD GOAL Parramatta Eels
The Eels snap a field goal through Marcus Perenera to take the lead.
Eels 19-18

76 min: NEWS Malcom, for the Jets, grasses a golden opportunity to score out wide and take the lead.

78 min: NEWS 40-20 by Lewis for the Jets. We're set for an exciting finish!

78 min: FIELD GOAL Newtown Jets
And we're all tied up here! Lewis slots a field goal and this one will probably go into extra time.
19 all.

79 min: NEWS Soward fails with a 50m field goal attempt.

80 min: NEWS We've gone to extra time here at Telstra Stadium. It's a thrilling game.

82 min: NEWS Massively open here with each side making breaks and coming close to scoring.

83 min: NEWS Following a great run by Lewis, Soward puts a terrible field goal up. It was a disgrace!

84 min: NEWS Jets charge down an Eels field goal!

86 min: NEWS The players are stuffed as we head into the second period of extra time.

87 min: NEWS Lewis misses another field goal.

88 min: FIELD GOAL Parramatta Eels
And the Eels wrap it up through Marcus Perenera who pots his second for the day.
Eels 20-19
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Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 - Marcus Perenara (Eels)
2 - Josh Lewis (Jets)
1 - John Williams (Eels)
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