Parramatta outclass Roosters in first half rout

The Parramatta Eels have continued their winning run with a comprehensive 36-16 victory over the Sydney Roosters at Aussie Stadium tonight.

The Eels piled on 22 unanswerered points in the first half with centre Ben Smith opening the scoring after just seven minutes of play.

The Roosters were able to stem the flow in the second half to score 16 points to Parramatta's 14. But the match was already won and lost as the home side were guilty of numerous defensive laspes and handling errors in the opening stanza.

The Eels have now won five of their last six starts and find themselves in the top four. Next week, they have the bye and a guaranteed two competition points.

Meanwhile, and after celebrating back-to-back victories over the last fortnight including a high scoring 64-30 win over the Cowboys in round 13, the Roosters find themselves still battling to kick clear of the lower end of the ladder. Next week they take on an in-form Bulldogs at Telstra Stadium.

Match Details Round 15 - Full Time :: June 23rd, 2007 07:30 PM Venue: Aussie Stadium Referee: Gavin Badger Half time: Eels 22-0

Sydney Roosters 16 Tries: Craig Fitzgibbon, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Sam Perrett Goals: Craig Fitzgibbon (2/3) Parramatta Eels 36 Tries: Ben Smith, Nathan Hindmarsh, Luke Burt (2), Krisnan Inu, Jarryd Hayne (2) Goals: Luke Burt (4/7)

LeagueUnlimited.com Player of the Match 3 Points: Luke Burt (Eels) 2 Points: Nathan Hindmarsh (Eels) 1 Point: Aaron Cannings (Eels)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary Eels pretty much as per the card. Roosters have a few late changes, notable absentees are fullback Amos Roberts (flu) and forward David Shillington. Teams coming onto the field... Eels kick off and we're underway!

Damp cold conditions and a little slippery.

7 min: TRY Parramatta Eels Centre Ben Smith scores in the corner after a backline movement which sees the ball almost intercepted by a Rootsers player. Conversion attempt by Luke Burt is a ripper in these conditions. Parramatta Eels 6-0

12 min: TRY Parramatta Eels Backrower Nathan Hindmarsh hits the hole from close range and crashes over just wide of the posts. Follows a costly dropped ball from Roosters five eighth Ashley Harrison from the scrum. Conversion attempt by Luke Burt successful. Parramatta Eels 12-0

20 min: Parra have almost all the momentum. The Roosters having one real opportunity with repeat sets at the Eels' line but were ultimately repelled. Conversely, Parramatta's tries have gone through some ordinary defence.

21 min: Roosters centre Joel Monaghan forced off with gash above the eye. He'll get some stitches and should be back.

23 min: Stand-in fullback Shaun Kenny-Dowall pops up a beaut pass to centre Sia Soliola close to the line, should have been a try but the ball goes to ground.

26 min: TRY Parramatta Eels Fullback Luke Burt scores after chasing a perfectly weighted kick from five eighth Brett Finch. Conversion attempt by Luke Burt successful from almost in front. Parramatta Eels 18-0

28 min: TRY Parramatta Eels Centre Krisnan Inu scores out wide with Parra stretching the Roosters across the park from the kick restart. Great support play and a beaut rugby league try with at least eight players getting involved in the movement. Omnious signs for the Roosters. Conversion attempt by Luke Burt unsuccessful. Parramatta Eels 22-0

33 min: Roosters with their best chance to score so far with hooker Craig Wing chasing a grubber into the in-goal, but Burt is on hand to kick the ball dead. Roosters lose possession in the next set.

37 min: Roosters make a strong break down the left flank. Parra guilty of couple of professional fouls (Burt and Finch) and concede penalties. Roosters eventually cough up the ball.

Half time: Eels 22-0 Parramatta are controlling both sides of the ruck as well as making yards up the middle. Roosters forwards looking tackle shy and at this stage are simply not in the contest.

Second half underway...

41 min: TRY Sydney Roosters Easts are on the board after backrower Craig Fitzgibbon plants the ball down in the corner following a kick from half back Mitchell Pearce. Conversion attempt by Fitzgibbon unsuccessful. Parramatta Eels 22-4

47 min: TRY Parramatta Eels Winger Jarryd Hayne scores in the corner to stall any notion of a Roosters comeback. Conversion attempt by Luke Burt hits the upright and is unsuccessful. Parramatta Eels 26-4

50 min: TRY Parramatta Eels Hayne gets a double after intercepting and running 60m down a narrow sideline corridor to score, evading the cover defenders along the way. Conversion attempt by Luke Burt unsuccessful. Parramatta Eels 30-4

57 min: TRY Sydney Roosters Kenny-Dowall scores 10m in from touch. Follows a tremendous raid which began with a 50m break from second rower Mitchell Aubusson. Conversion attempt by Craig Fitzgibbon successful. Parramatta Eels 30-10

64 min: TRY Sydney Roosters Winger Sam Perrett takes the final pass from Mitchell Pearce and scores 15m in from touch after the Roosters get a roll on. Conversion attempt by Craig Fitzgibbon successful. Parramatta Eels 30-16

70 min: Parramatta trying to slow things down as the Roosters are winning the second half. A spirited last quarter effort from the home side but the Eels seems to be doing enough and time might beat Easts.

79 min: TRY Parramatta Eels Burt accelerates from 25m out, runs through a gap and scores just wide of the posts. Conversion attempt by Luke Burt successful. Parramatta Eels 36-16

Full time: Eels 36-16 An improvement from the Roosters in the second half but always battling after conceding 22 points in the first half.