Eels claim bragging rights in local derby

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Parramatta Eels v Penrith Panthers

It was a Corey Norman inspired Parramatta Eels that trampled over the Penrith Panthers in the local derby, 18-12 in front of 14,070 fans at ANZ Stadium.

It was a slick effort from the Eels in the first half, as their energy stifled the lackluster Panthers side from the opening kick-off. Corey Norman has provided numerous assists thus far this season but hustled his way to the opening try after Bryce Cartwright couldn't recover. 

Eels added a penalty goal as the Panthers to make it 8-nil, as Panthers were constantly on the back foot in the first half. The fight and effort urged from the faithful afer their try-less loss to Cronulla was absent, with a bumbling effort through the first half. 

The home side capitalised just before the break to make it 12-nil. Norman once again, in the assist role, spied the defenders up and in, chipped it for Semi Radradra to plant down. 

Once again from the kick-off, the Eels were on the attack. A massive charge from Siosaia Vave created the platform, as Kaysa Pritchard combined with Clint Gutherson for Norman to bag a double, making it 18-nil. 

Panthers got themselves back in the contest briefly, as they swept left for a picture perfect put-down from Peta Hiku. The Eels didn't help with only three completed sets in the first fifteen which got them back in the contest. 

Despite getting on the board, the Panthers were too sideways in their attack and the Eels were able to pick it off each time. It took some magic offloads from the visitors for Corey Harawira to reduce it to 18-12. 

Neither side could find their best tonight but the Eels did enough, as they condemned the Panthers to their fourth straight loss while the home side made it back-to-back victories for the first time since Round one and two.

Both sides head to Queensland next week, with the Eels the guests in Friday night's main event against the Cowboys at 1300SMILES Stadium, while Penrith are hosted by Brisbane at Suncorp on Thursday.