Eels post back-to-back wins - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Eels post back-to-back wins

By Adrian Warren 23/04/2005 10:23:25 PM Comments (0)

Inspired by the return of Michael Vella Parramatta finally registered back-to-back NRL wins by beating the self-destructing Wests Tigers 26-16 at Parramatta Stadium on Saturday night.

Vella, in his first top grade match since surgery to remove thyroid cancer in March, came off the bench and helped the Eels overcome an early 10-4 deficit.

With staunch defence and ball control the Eels piled on 22 unanswered points, holding the usually flamboyant Tigers scoreless for over an hour.

Young Tigers hooker Robbie Farah scored a spectacular 70-metre solo try in the first minute and former Parramatta winger Pat Richards also crossed early for the Tigers, but from then it was all one-way traffic.

Parramatta hit back with Eric Grothe crossing twice and Daniel Wagon and Glenn Morrison also scoring to set up a 18-10 halftime lead for the home team.

Numerous turnovers and penalties from the visitors were seized upon by the Eels, who scored five tries to three as they finally recorded successive victories for the first time this year.

Parramatta coach Brian Smith, who was delighted to complete a season double over the Tigers, praised his international second-rower Nathan Hindmarsh, who played 62 minutes after backing up from Friday night's Test against New Zealand.

Smith was also thrilled with the contribution of his bench players, among them forward Vella.

Vella got a huge cheer from the majority of the crowd of 18,107 when he came off the bench after 20 minutes.

"I didn't even hear it (the cheer), I was just very focused on getting out there and getting the ball in my hand," Vella said.

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