Townsend outscores Parramatta in drab match

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Parramatta Eels v Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks

The Cronulla Sharks have taken their first victory of the 2018 NRL season with a 14-4 victory over the Eels at a wet ANZ Stadium.

Both sides headed into the game not wanting to go 0 & 3 but the opening 40 minutes was all Cronulla who despite only scoring the one try took a 12-4 lead into the break.

The first points of the game was a penalty goal for Chad Townsend who nabbed the two points after 13 minutes. Just three minutes later Chad Townsend added the first try of the game when Paul Gallen sent Jayson Bukuya into space who in turn found Chad Townsend into space to get the Sharks only try of the first half.

The Eels hit back soon after Kirisome Auva'a danced across field and took advantage of a shocking tackle miss by Jesse Ramien and the Eels struck back in the matter of minutes. The Sharks then added to their margin with another penalty goal from Chad Townsend to go out to 8-4 up.

Things only got worse for Parramatta with Jarryd Hayne leaving the field at the half hour mark with an upper leg injury forcing Bevan French to go back to Fullback as named. The final scoring play of the half was yet another penalty goal when Chad Townsend pushed the lead out to 8 points.

The second half was a far from thrilling spectacle with just a Chad Townsend penalty goal separating the sides in the second half but both sides did have efforts turned down by the bunker. The first was a Bevan French effort off a Corey Norman kick who flew through to try and ground the grubber kick but it was knocked back with French knocking the ball on.

The Sharks then had a try disallowed by the bunker with Jayden Brailey ruled to have come from offside position a Townsend kick that rebounded off a Parramatta player's legs before diving over the line. The Sharks made their lead 10 when Chad Townsend nailed a penalty goal after the Eels were ruled to have stripped the ball.

Next week Parramatta have a task against the Wests Tigers on Easter Monday at ANZ Stadium whilst the Sharks have a good friday clash at home up against the Storm.