In a nutshell
The Eels gained their revenge for a 50-point shellacking by the Roosters in the second round of this season’s NRL competition, holding on in a tense finish to register their third straight victory.
How it unfolded
In a game that was tit for tat all the way, the Eels took an early lead through a try to winger Ken Sio, although Chris Sandow was unable to add the conversion.
The Roosters then replied with a bustling try by former Hull FC star Sam Moa, which gave them the lead with James Maloney’s conversion.
But then Sio scored his second try when he collected a superb cross-field kick from Sandow, and this time Sandow added the conversion to give the Eels a four-point lead.
But they lost it shortly before half-time when Roosters winger Daniel Tupou beat Jarryd Hayne, Sandow, Nathan Peats and Semi Radradra in a brilliant 80-metre dash to the line, which Maloney again converted.
The final score of the game came after just 46 minutes, when Eels winger Radrada, who has had an outstanding season so far, was able to hold off Sonny Bill Williams in the corner. Although Sandow was unable to convert, the Eels successfully held off a strong Roosters’ challenge to reach the finishing post two points ahead.
A full review of all the weekend’s NRL action will feature in this week’s Rugby League Express, available in the shops on Monday and online from 11.00pm UK time on Sunday evening.
