Plucky Parramatta claim critical win over dour Dogs

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Parramatta Eels v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

The Parramatta Eels have outlasted the Canterbury Bulldogs 14-8 in an uninspiring contest at ANZ Stadium in front of over 8,000 fans. 

The rare win sees the Eels draw level with both the Cowboys and Bulldogs and now have a genuine chance of avoiding the dreaded wooden spoon. 

It was Dean Pay's men who landed the first try of the night though, when Kerrod Holland burst through a gaping hole to score in the 7th minute. Outside of Holland, Canterbury's players rarely looked any real chance of extending their lead and it quickly becoming clear that this was well and truly a battle of the cellar dwellers.

However, Parramatta received a much-needed boost in the 31st minute when Brett Morris was sin-binned for holding back Bevan French from pursuing a try-scoring opportunity. To their credit, Brad Arthur's capitalised three minutes later when Tepai Moeroa surged through the middle off a short ball from Corey Norman and the second rower linked with Kaysa Pritchard who raced away to score.

It was clear both sides were trying but execution was lacking and as a result the score line remained at six points apiece at the break.

The Eels looked to have their second try of the night when Brad Takairangi claimed to have grounded a clever grubber from halfback Mitchell Moses. Unfortunately for the blue and gold, replays showed he had bounced the ball.

The Bunker couldn't deny Moses a try of his own only minutes later though after he scooped up a grubber from Lachlan Lewis and sprinted away to score in the 52nd minute. It would prove the difference in the end, with both sides trading penalty goals in the only other points of the second half.

Canterbury's decision to go for two with seven minutes left was an odd one given the Eels lead 14-6 at the time. More than anything, it spoke volumes to the lack of confidence that Pay's men had in their own ability. In the end, the Eels rewarded their loyal fans by holding on for a 14-8 win.

Sorry Parramatta fans, take the sweet taste of victory in now because next week you play the table-topping Rabbitohs. The Bulldogs don't have it easy either. They take on the desperate Tigers on Friday night at ANZ Stadium.