Brisbane has defeated Parramatta by 30-14 at CommBank Stadium tonight. Maroons fullback Reece Walsh was again instrumental, scoring a try and having a hand in two more to continue his electric form for the Broncos this season.
The win was soured somewhat with a wrist injury to hooker Billy Walters, who left the field in the 12th minute and failed to return. However, despite a narrow 14-8 lead at halftime, the visitors kicked away from the Eels through some classy tries to Ezra Mam and Selwyn Cobbo to run out convincing winners in wet conditions.
It wasn't all doom and gloom for the Eels who were well in the game for the majority of the match, with replacement fullback Blaize Talagi having a sensational debut at fullback, filling in for injured captain Clint Gutherson. Parramatta will also welcome back star half Mitchell Moses back next week in a welcome boost.
Parramatta were under pressure to perform in front of their home fans and they were denied early when Dylan Brown looked to have put Bailey Simonsson over in the corner. Replays showed Simonsson lost the ball but the Eels were awarded a penalty for offside. Sean Russell landed the penalty goal to give the Eels an early 2-0 lead.
Parramatta continued to attack the Broncos line, however Broncos livewire Ezra Mam collected a dropped ball from Parramatta and found speedster Reece Walsh in support who raced away to score the first try of the night and take a 6-2 lead.
The Broncos then struck again through Maroons fullback Walsh, who found some space and unlocked winger Deine Mariner who beat two Eels defenders all ends up to score a superb try under the posts.
The home side continued to throw the ball around and were finally rewarded when rookie fullback Blaize Talagi produced a wicked step on Ezra Mam to race over for a superb try and narrow the Broncos lead.
The Eels' faithful was silenced just before the break however, when Deine Mariner scored his second try after Jordan Riki picked up a loose pass to send Mariner on an 80 metre run to score and give Brisbane an 18-8 lead at the break.
Parramatta might have felt aggrieved to be down at halftime but they have got off to the perfect start following a one-on-one strip from Dylan Brown who scored under the posts and give the Eels a huge boost and narrow the scoreline to just four points.
The rain then began to pour down in Western Sydney, but that did not bother Ezra Mam, who produced a superb chip and chase close to the line to score a classy try. Walsh converted the try to give the visitors a ten-point lead.
Brisbane then kicked away from the Eels, when Walsh kicked along the wet surface for his outside men. Selwyn Cobbo then miraculously caught the ball inches from the dead ball line to put the ball down and extend the scoreline to 30-14.
Next week is Magic Round and will see Brisbane face Manly on Friday night, while Parramatta will take on Melbourne on Sunday afternoon.