Knights upset Eels and look to
offload the spoon

Fulltime score: Round 20 KNIGHTS 16 v EELS 10 Match summary:

The Newcastle Knights have come from behind to defeat the Parramatta Eels 16-10 at Parramatta Stadium this evening.

In a replay of the sides who contested the 2001 grand final, it was the Knight again who had the last laugh with a victory that keeps alive their hopes of not winning the wooden spoon for the first time in their history.

The Eels have slumped to their second straight defeat after losing to the Raiders last weekend and they must regroup quickly if they plan to make an impression in September, but based on their form over the past fortnight, there are worrying signs for Eels coach Brian Smith.

The Knights played much better than the Eels and fully deserved their victory and are playing the role of spoiler to perfection. The question is, who else will fall to the Knights before the end of the season because it looks as though they will take a few more high profile scalps before they are done for the year.

Eels v Knights match photos: Click here to see the photo gallery for this game

Scorers: PARRAMATTA EELS 10 Tries: Stringer, Tahu Goals: Burt 1/2

defeated by

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS 16 Tries: Salkeld, Tighe, Carmont Goals: Johns 2/3

Parramatta Stadium Crowd: 16,168 Referee: Shayne Hayne Half time: 10-all

Live commentary: 1st min: We are underway at Parramatta Stadium.

4th min: TRY - Eels. Paul Stringer gets a rare four pointer to get the Eels on the board. Conversion successful. Eels 6-0.

10th min: TRY - Eels. Tahu gets a try against his former club to further extend the Eels lead. Conversion unsuccessful. Eels 10-0.

15th min: TRY - Knights. Trent Salkeld gets the Knights on the board. Conversion unsuccessful. Eels 10-4.

25th min: Midway through the first half, we have a very even contest unfolding with the Knights holding their own for the moment.

31st min: Try - Knights. Brad Tighe scores the leveller not far out from half time. Game on folks! Conversion successful. 10 all.

37th min: Newcastle have had the better of position in the latter stages of the first half but have been unable to score any more points so headig into the break, things look very even.

HALF TIME: The Eels have got a battle on their hands and a victory tonight is vital to their chances of making the top four but the Knights are playing spolier very nicely at present. Should be an interesting second half.

41st min: We are underway in the second half.

48th min: TRY - Knights. Gearoge Carmot pushes the Knights into the lead for the first time in the match. An upset in the making perhaps? The Eels certainly have their work cut out for them. Conversion successful. Knights 16-10.

60th min: Still no change in the score and time is running out for the Eels.

70th min: Time is fast running out for the Eels and a loss tonight would bring them right back to the chasing pack and a top four spot now comes under threat.

77th min: Looks like the Eels are going to suffer back to back losses and although the Knights have missed far too many tackles, the Eels have let them off the hook with too many unforced errors. A costly loss that could really put a dent in their finals campaign.

FULL TIME: The Knights have come from behind to score another upset win against the high flying Eels which places the Eels in a psotion where the chasing packs of teams are well within reach now. The Knights are still trying to stave off their first ever wooden spoon and are going to make every effort that does not happen. ----------------------------------------- Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 - D Buderus (Knights) 2 - A Johns (Knights) 1 - N Hindmarsh (Eels) -----------------------------------------