Late Roosters blitz sinks Eels

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Parramatta Eels v Sydney Roosters

The Roosters coasted for an hour before finally hitting the go button in the last 20 minutes to score three unanswered converted tries, strolling away with a solid 32-18 win over a gallant Eels side at ANZ Stadium tonight.

The first half was for the most part, free flowing and fast moving, with neither side really getting the upper hand. Parramatta dominated possession to start the game.

This mountain of possession saw the Eels get on the board first when Paulo sent a great deep pass to Takairangi who then put Ferguson into space and he scored out wide untouched after just 6 minutes. Moses converted from out wide.

The Roosters though wasted no time to hit back. Just over 2 minutes later, Tedesco took on the left edge defence, who held off him and he barged over through the defence to score. Mitchell was unable to convert.

Seven minutes later, he got a second chance to equalise, which he did when he nailed a gift two points from a penalty right in front.

Both sides continued playing expansive footy combined with powerful running and while it occasionally saw a few turnovers, the intensity never wavered.

On the half hour mark, Mitchell added another 2 points from a penalty goal to give the Roosters the lead.

A few minutes later, Friend went down with an arm injury and came off the field. There was no change to the score at halftime.

Shortly after the second half started Waerea-Hargreaves came off with an injury. Five minutes later Gutherson sent a nice, flat cut-out ball to Sivo who took it, stepped inside and then barged through the wide defenders to score. Moses then nailed the conversion from touch.

Just a few minutes later the Roosters scored a brilliant try when Tupou leapt out of the field play to bat a kick back into the field of play. Aubusson caught it and miraculously scores thanks to his fingertips in the left corner. Mitchell converts with a brilliant kick from touch.

Just shy of the hour mark, Gutherson laid on a second try for Sivo which was very nearly a copy of the first try. He fired a flat cut-out pass to Sivo and the powerful winger steamrolled over Ikavalu to score. Moses was again spot on with his sideline conversion.

The Roosters hit back again quick smart. This time Radley took the ball from dummy half, darted left, the defence waited for him, he dummied, Mahoney swallowed it and Radley strolled over for a soft try. Mitchell converted.

With ten minutes to go, the Roosters lifted another gear. Tedesco received the ball on the right side, saw nothing happening, so he jinked back in-field, directed Taukieaho to run onto a pass, which he did and the big prop forced his way over for a try. Mitchell again converted.

Three minutes later and Tedesco was at it again. He returned to the right side and this time he found an opportunity, fended off Lane and then split Gutherson and Jennings to score in the corner. Mitchell kicked yet another goal from touch to hand the Roosters a 32-18 victory.