Slippery Eels reign in stumbling Cowboys

Timana Tahu has scored a double in Parramatta's 24-18 victory over the North Queensland Cowboys tonight at a damp Dairy Farmers Stadium.

Both teams had a case of dropsies in the opening salvos but when things calmed down Parramatta were the first on the board through Ben Smith and Timana Tahu in his best performance since coming back scored to give the Eels a 12 point lead midway through the half. Cowboys hit back though with Scott Bolton and Ashley Graham, leaving both teams on level terms at the half.

Field position was key early in the second half with both teams using their kicking games but North Queensland broke the deadlock first with centre Willie Tonga crossing after a beautiful Mason pass who had his best game as a Cowboy tonight.

From the 58th minute onwards it was all Parramatta, as they showed glimpses of their form in that magicial run last year with Tahu scoring his second and winger Krisnan Inu gave his side the winning lead and Luke Burt kicking 4/4 to seal a 24-18 win in the 67th minute.

Next week Parramatta head back to Sydney for a big clash against the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium Friday week while North Queensland look to regain some form when they host the in crisis Melbourne Storm at Dairy Farmers Stadium next Saturday.

Match Details
North Queensland Cowboys 18 were defeated by Parramatta Eels 24
National Rugby League - NRL - Round 7 - Friday April 23, 2010 7:35pm
Venue: Dairy Farmers Stadium
Referee: Jason Robinson and Tony De Las Heras
Video Referee: Tim Mander
Touch Judges: Steve Chiddy and Henry Perenara
Crowd: 11335
Halftime: North Queensland Cowboys 12 Parramatta Eels 12

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Timana Tahu (2 Tries)
2 Points - Luke Burt (4 Conversions)
1 Point - Willie Mason

NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS (18)
Tries: Ashley Graham, Scott Bolton, Willie Tonga
Conversions: Johnathan Thurston (3/3)

PARRAMATTA EELS (24)
Tries: Ben Smith, Timana Tahu (2), Krisnan Inu
Conversions: Luke Burt (4/4)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary Welcome to Dairy Farmer's Stadium for tonight's clash. The big news is Johnathan Thurston is back from injury for the Cowboys with Grant Rovelli the casualty. Parramatta are unchanged.
It was one way traffic earlier in the Toyota Cup, with North Queensland thumping Parramatta 50-14, James Segeyaro scoring a hat trick.
1 min: We're off here tonight with kick off by North Queensland.
14 min: TRY
Ben Smith scores the opening try and Luke Burt converts!
Parramatta Eels 6-0
23 min: TRY
Tahu adds to the eels lead by scoring their second try. Burt easily adds the two.
Parramatta Eels 12-0
28 min: TRY
Bolton gets the Cowboys on the board! Thurston in his return kicks the goal.
Parramatta Eels 12-6
34 min: TRY Northern Storm
Ashley Graham gets the Cowboys within two and Thurston evens the ledger.
12 all
40 min: Halftime in a very topsy turvey game with the scores locked at 12.
41 min: We're back under way here in the second half
50 min: TRY
Tonga puts the cowboys in the lead with a try after a beautiful mason pass. Thurston adds the extras.
North Queensland Cowboys 18-12
58 min: TRY
Timana Tahu gets the eels back to level with the Cowboys after a nice finish. Burt slots the two.
18 all
67 min: TRY
Parramatta have hit the lead with Inu crossing the stripe and Burt continuing his perfect night with the boot.
Parramatta Eels 24-18
80 min: Fulltime, Parramatta have come back from an early try in the second half to win the game 24-18 to continue on their streak.