Saturday night saw the Wests Tigers take on the Parramatta Eels in which was each side’s second trial match for 2011. It was a hot night in Campbelltown with the temperature nearly 38 degrees and the stadium selling out of bottled water. Both teams fielded near-full strength line-up’s with the Tigers missing notable player such as Liam Fulton, Bryce Gibbs, Mark Flanagan, Gareth Ellis and Todd Payten. Another missing face was funny man winger Beau Ryan, but his absence allowed stocky ex Bulldog Matt Utai debut for the club as he tries to land a deal with the Tigers. On the other side, Parramatta also had players watching from the stands in Fui Fui Moi Moi, Justin Poore, Chris Hicks, Joel Reddy and ex Tiger Paul Whatuira. It took five minutes for the Eels to score the first points with a mid-field break by centre Ryan Morgan had them at the Tigers try line on the fifth tackle. Jeff Robson pounced on a grubber which was juggled by a Tigers player to score next to the posts. Parramatta were then given a piggyback down field from a penalty for a high tackle, and then were able to force a line drop out. A questionable off season signing, Casey McGuire dived over from dummy half to snatch the Eels second try. Another great run from McGuire saw Jarryd Hayne brought down by Benji Marshall a metre out from the Tigers line, seconds after Justin Horo was hammered by Keith Galloway he was able to get in behind the Wests line of defence to grab another deft grubber to give the away side their third try. Parramatta’s halves kicking games were excellent, a facet of their game that has let them down in the past, was able to gain another drop out which lead to Jarryd Hayne to dance through the Tigers right hand side to score under the posts for a 24-0 lead with Luke Burt successful with all his conversion attempts. Despite being four tries down the Tigers pressed the Eels line and were able to covert an overlap out wide with Lote Tuqiri showing his speed and crossing in the corner. With a tough kick, Marshall was unable to convert. Tigers fans joy was short lived after a Robbie Farah pass from dummy half was intercepted by Nathan Hindmarsh who proceded to run 85 meters and palm off two players then offloading over the top to Justin Horo for his second try. Parramatta went into the break up 30-4. The second half saw both sides eventually make wholesale changes with reserve graders or NYC players showing their stuff. Before their nights were over, Marshall was able to find Parramatta short out wide and long pass was able to allow Tuqiri get over for his second four pointer of the night, Benji then converted from the sideline. With a lot of in-experience, neither team were able to add to the scoreboard with the game ending in a win to Parramatta. Good signs for the Eels with their halves stepping up to handle the playmaking duties which let Hayne sit back and play a supporting fullback role. Strong games from Casey McGuire, Jeff Robson, Justin Horo and Tim Mannah. While in the right field position, Wests were dangerous, with Marshall showing glimpses of his 2010 form which lead him to a Golden Boot award and his team one game away from a grand final birth. Robbie Farah was typically strong and scheming out of dummy half. Lote Tuqiri showed his usual speed and power while scoring his two tries and Keith Galloway was very effective all game in attack and defence putting on some big hits. Injury permitting, he could find himself in a sky blue jersey with more strong performances in the opening rounds of the competition. This weekend the Eels travel to Penrith to take on the Panthers in the annual Battle of the West Cup on Saturday night, while the Tigers tackle the Roosters in the Foundation Cup.
Eels: Robson, McGuire, Horo (2), Hayne. Burt 5 goals.
Tigers: Tuqiri (2) Marshall 1 goal.
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