Parramatta Eels defeat North Queensland Cowboys 24-16 to proceed NRL resurgence

Parramatta has breathed life into its stuttering NRL marketing campaign by claiming a hard-fought 24-16 win over North Queensland.

The Eels have endured a topsy-turvy begin to 2023 and their fortunes took an additional twist on Friday night time when new recruit Joe Ofahengaue limped off simply seven minutes into his membership debut after signing from the Wests Tigers earlier this week.

Final 12 months’s grand finalists had been stable if unspectacular in entrance of 14,810 spectators at Western Sydney Stadium, with a late transformed attempt from halfback Mitchell Moses getting them residence.

Holding a 6-7 win-loss file, the Eels now get pleasure from a much-needed bye with the win shifting them as much as tenth spot on the ladder.

North Queensland, in the meantime, battled valiantly, with a late Kyle Feldt double seeking to have given the guests an opportunity of leaving Sydney’s west with a win till a rash offload from Coen Hess led to Moses’s late attempt.

The Cowboys, smarting from final week’s 66-18 humbling by the hands of the Wests Tigers, started in spectacular trend.

They regarded assured at any time when they moved the ball and an intricate show of passing allowed electrical fullback Scott Drinkwater to sprint in for the opener.

Ofahengaue, who was a part of the Tigers facet which thumped the Cowboys earlier than Tuesday’s change to the Eels, hobbled off quickly after and didn’t return.

Down a participant in a ahead rotation already with out Junior Paulo (State of Origin responsibility), Ryan Matterson (calf), Shaun Lane (hamstring) and Reagan Campbell-Gillard (groin), Parramatta coach Brad Arthur wanted his lesser-known troops to face up.

Makahesi Makatoa threw his weight round and fellow front-rower Wiremu Greig was in a position to attract the Eels again degree, crashing in on the 18-minute mark as he loved one in every of his greatest first-grade showings up to now.

The scores had been degree at 6-6 for the following 40 minutes, with Parramatta having two Sean Russell efforts chalked off.

The Cowboys regarded like they may be capable to face up to the barrage of Eels’ assaults till Maika Sivo barged over within the nook.

Moses’ kicking sport had suffocated the Cowboys and compelled them to carry the ball out of their very own finish.

Moses transformed Sivo’s attempt from the left-hand touchline, repeating the trick when Russell slid in for a 63rd-minute landing on the opposite flank.

Feldt scored two tries within the ultimate 10 minutes to ship the sport right down to the wire, earlier than Moses jinked his method over to seal the win for the Eels.

AAP