Error-prone Eels extend Cowboys losing streak

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Parramatta Eels v North Queensland Cowboys

Far from their impressive best, the Parramatta Eels have returned to the winners list with their 32-16 victory over the North Queensland Cowboys on the Gold Coast.

Things didn't start at all well for the Parramatta Eels as they lost the ball in the very first set but thankfully for the Eels the Cowboys failed to take advantage of the error. The errors continued to hurt Parramatta with a certain try to Dylan Brown ruled against the Eels after Waqa Blake's pass was correctly ruled for a forward pass.

It wasn't long though before the Eels were back in attack and they scored through Waqa Blake who was able to get to the try line to score. Clint Gutherson missed the conversion attempt.

The Eels started to find some momentum and poor defensive decisions by the Cowboys created space for the Eels and Will Penisini got over for his maiden NRL try.

Hitting back not long after, the Cowboys thought they had crossed for their first through Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow but despite it being awarded by referee Ashley Klein, the bunker stepped in as replays showed the Cowboys flyer had lost the ball in trying to get it to the ground. The Cowboys however were able to score through Heilum Luki a few minutes later after the Eels paid for their errors.

Yet again, the Cowboys defence was left in sorts as their defence was as effective as NSW'S covid defence going every which way except getting the intended target which was Shaun Lane who strolled over untouched.

Neither side could get a flow on early in the second half and it took nearly 20 minutes for the Eels to score and again it was an untouched effort for Parramatta after Will Smith scored off the back of a Junior Paulo flick after an error from Daejarn Asi to create the space.

The Eels then began to grow momentum and again it was the space exploited on the outside of the Cowboys defence by Haze Dunster that saw the Eels turn on the brilliance and it was Clint Gutherson in the middle of the park who got to the infield kick first to score.

Momentum began to swing as the Cowboys were able to make plenty of metres through the middle of the park as the Eels tired and it was Laitia Moceidreke who scored on debut for the Cowboys off some class work by Jeremiah Nanai to flick the ball out to Asi who found the debutant to score.

The middle of the park became like a highway for the Cowboys as they continued to make plenty of metres and Jake Granville took advantage to close the gap to 12 when he was able to go through to score chasing down a kick.

Despite the Cowboys having the momentum through the middle of the park, the errors continued to hurt the North Queenslanders and the Eels took advantage after Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow dropped a Mitch Moses bomb and Dylan Brown was on the spot to clean up and score. Clint Gutherson's conversion sealed the 32-16 victory.

Next weekend, the Eels have it tough as they come up against the Melbourne Storm whilst the Cowboys head to Rockhampton to take on the Dragons on Saturday afternoon.