Parra too slippery for Souths

The Parramatta Eels have put on early points to out-gun the South Rabbitohs by 34-20 at Aussie Stadium this afternoon.

Leading 22-0 after just 17 minutes, the Eels looked to have the match wrapped up with five eighth Michael Witt scoring a double.

Jamie Lyon scored to extend the Parramatta lead before Lee Hookey regathered an Owen Craigie grubber to get Souths on the board and at half time it was 28-4.

Parramatta struck first in the second half with another try to Jamie Lyon. But with possession evening up, Souths put on some enterprising play and with 15 minutes to go, the scoreline saw Parramatta leading by 34-20.

The comeback however was stalled and with the clock ticking down, the Eels did enough to come away with the two points.

RABBITOHS 20 Tries: Hookey 2, Craigie, MacDougall Goals: Smith 2/3 defeated by EELS 34 Tries: Witt 2 , Lyon 2, Heckenberg, Morris Goals: Witt 4/5

Sunday 20 July 2003 3:00 PM Aussie Stadium Referee: S Hampstead

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 - M Witt (Eels) 2 - O Craigie (Rabbitohs) 1 - N Hindmarsh (Eels)

By the clock: 0 min: Kickoff!

4 min: TRY - Eels. Michael Witt scores and converts his own try. Parramatta getting a lion's share of the possession and are completing their sets. Eels 6-0

9 min: TRY - Eels. Daniel Heckenberg scores. Witt conversion is successful. Eels 12-0

13 min: TRY - Eels. John Morris crosses for a try after receiving a suspect (forward) pass from Heckenberg. Conversion from Witt is unsuccessful. Eels 16-0

17 min: TRY - Eels. Michael Witt gets a double after the Souths defence fall for a Nathan Hindmarsh decoy run. Its a carve-up. Conversion from Witt is successful. 22-0

27 min: Score remains unchanged. Souths getting a look at the ball now following some errors from the Eels.

32 min: TRY - Eels. Jamie Lyon scores. Witt conversion successful. Eels 28-0

35 min: TRY - Rabbitohs. Lee Hookey scores following an Owen Craigie grubber and Souths are finally on the board. Conversion Justin Smith unsuccessful. Eels 28-6

HALF TIME: Parra enjoying good field position and possession in the first 15 minutes and were able to set up what looks like an unbeatable lead. Souths evened up the possession later in the half but the Eels defence on their line has been too good. Michael Witt is a standout and has proven a handful for the Souths defence who have fallen for the decoy runners too many times. Eels 28-4

48 min: TRY - Eels. Jamie Lyon gets a double and Parramatta extend their lead. Conversion Witt is successful. Eels 34-4

58 min: TRY - Rabbitohs. Owen Craigie scores. Justin Smith conversion successful. Eels 34-10

61 min: TRY - Rabbitohs. Lee Hookey gets a douible as Souths a staging something of a comeback. Conversion from Smith is successful. Eels 34-16

64 min: TRY - Rabbitohs. Luke MacDougall scores as the Parra defence opens up. Conversion Smith unsuccessful. Eels 34-20

70 min: The South Sydney comeback seems to have stalled. No change to the score.

FULL TIME