Penrith punish rusty Roosters
8 hours ago | Aidan Edgecomb
Knights halfback Andrew Johns' 2004 season is in doubt following a leg injury in tonight's 38-34 loss against the Eels at Parramatta Stadium.
In a thrilling encounter, the Eels raced away to handy 14-nil lead followng some sparkling play from fullback Luke Burt.
But the Knights came back with a try to hooker Danny Buderus before skipper Andrew Johns fell awkwardly clutching his knee.
Johns was taken from the field by medi-cab and took no further part in the match. He was later seen walking with the assistance of crutches.
The Knights however continued their surge and at half time had clawed back to trail the Eels by 22-16.
The Knights unjury woes continued with fullback David Seage also being assisted off with a leg injury in the 51st minute.
With both sides scoring tries in the second half, the match was up for grabs with Newcastle hitting the front for the first time in the 71st minute.
But the night belonged to Parramatta with Junior Langi scoring a tremendous winning try just before full time.
Parramatta Stadium Referee: Tony Archer Video Referee: Mick Stone Touch Judges: Peter Sciberras, Paul Kalina
Scorers: EELS 38 Tries: Morris, Burt, Prince, Vaealiki, Widders, Webster, Langi Goals: Burt 5/8 defeated KNIGHTS 34 Tries: Buderus 2, Seage, Woolnough, K Gidley Goals: Johns 1/1, Abraham 5/5
By the clock: 0 min: Kickoff!
7 min: TRY - Eels. Johns Morris scores from dummy half and under the posts. Sloppy marker play from Knights. Conversion Luke Burt. Eels 6-0
10min: TRY - Eels. Fullback Luke Burt scores a great try after Nathan Cayless makes a half break from near half-way. Burt in the open stands up his opposite and scores under the sticks. Conversion Burt. Eels 12-0
13 min: PENALTY GOAL - Eels. Luke Burt puts the home side further ahead after the Knights were found off-side. Eels 14-0
17 min: TRY - Knights. Danny Buderus scores next to posts following some lazy marker defence and a repeat set of six. Conversion Johns. Eels 14-6
21 min: NEWS - Andrew Johns (Knights) is carted off after going down awkwardly in a tackle. Clutching his knee, it doesnt look good for Johns or the Knights.
25 min: PENALTY GOAL - Knights. Daniel Abraham makes no mistake from almost in front. Eels 14-8
30 min: TRY - Eels. Ronald Prince scores in the corner thanks to an overlap. Conversion Burt unsuccessful Eels 18-8
37 min: PENALTY GOAL - Knights. Abraham. Eels 18-10
38 min: TRY - Knights. Buderus dummies and barges over 10m in from touch. Conversion Abraham is successful. Eels 18-16
40 min: TRY - Eels. Following a turnover and then a bomb, David Vaealiki gets the dregs and scores in good position. Conversion from Burt is unsuccessful. Eels 22-16
SECOND HALF UNDERWAY...
42 min: TRY - Knights. David Seage scores under the posts after getting behind some slack Parra defence. Conversion Abraham. All locked up 22-all.
48 min: TRY - Eels. Dean Widders bursts through from 30m out and scores 8m from the uprights. Conversion Burt. Eels 28-22
51 min: NEWS - Fullback David Seage (Knights) goes down in mid flight when his leg simply caves in. A nasty knee injury and he too is carted off to join his skipper Andrew Johns in the sheds... who is apparently on crutches.
52 min: TRY - Knights. Adam Woolnough surges forward to score next to the posts. The defence simply slow to react. Conversion Abraham. Locked up again at 28-all
60 min: TRY - Eels. James Webster slides through and momentum carries him over for a 4-pointer, video ref giving the green light. Wide conversion attempt from Luke Burt is unsuccessful. Eels 32-28
65 min: NEWS - Timana Tahu (Knights) limping and sidelined. The Knights are running out of troops.
71 min: TRY - Knights. Kurt Gidley gets the decision after he isnt held and gets the ball on the line. Conversion Abraham is successful and Newcastle hit the front! Knights 34-32
76 min: TRY - Eels. Junior Langi scores in good position after a tremendous break down the flank from Ronald Prince. Follows an enterprising cross-field kick at half-way. Conversion Burt is spot on. Eels 38-34
FULL TIME: The Eels win a thriller!
----------------------------------------- Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 - N Hindmarsh (Eels) 2 - L Burt (Eels) 1 - D Buderus (Knights) -----------------------------------------