​Eels withstand Panthers fightback to claim much-needed win

A second half comeback from the Penrith Panthers wasn't enough, as the Parramatta Eels ran out 26-20 winners in front of 17,821 fans at Pepper Stadium.

After going down narrowly in their past two meetings, the Eels raced out to an early lead, with Ryan Morgan finishing off a lovely pass from Will Hopoate to dive over after three minutes.

Only moments later the Eels were over again, with Reece Robinson finishing off a break from Semi Radradra to take the scoreline out to 12-0 after six minutes.

Things only got worse for the Panthers, with star Fullback Matt Moylan assisted off the field with a suspected medial ligament injury ruling him out for the match.

Despite the setbacks, the Panthers managed to steady the match, conceding a penalty goal late in the half, allowing the Eels to take a 14-0 lead into the break.

Having withstood a barrage from the Eels in the first half, the Panthers responded with three tries in the space of ten minutes through Isaah Yeo (49th minute), David Simmons (53rd minute) and Bryce Cartwright (58^th minute) to tie the scores at 14-all.

However, an error from the restart, gifted the Eels possession back, which allowed Semi Radradra to slide over for a try to take back the lead.

Only minutes later, the Fijian flyer was over again to take Parramatta out to a 26-14 lead with 15 minutes remaining.

With ten minutes left on the clock, the Panthers produced a fifth-tackle stroke of genius, with Dubbo junior Isaah Yeo getting a fabulous offload away to send fill-in fullback Dallin Watene-Zelezniak over to take the score back to within a converted try.

Despite the best efforts of Jamie Soward in the closing minutes, the Panthers were unable to score, giving the Eels a much-needed 26-20 win.

For the Eels, a brilliant start paved the way for the win, while their tenacity to overcome the Panthers fight-back enabled them to come away with the two-points after the heart-breaking losses to the Warriors and Rabbitohs over the past fortnight.

For the Panthers, Bryce Cartwright delivered his finest performance in the NRL, playing a major role in the Penrith comeback, while Lewis Brown was a constant threat on the left for the home side.

On the injury front, both sides failed to come away unscathed, with Moylan and Soward (AC Joint) going down for the Panthers, while Brad Takairangi (ankle) and Tim Mannah (wrist) may be looking at time on the sidelines.

Next week, the Panthers will host Melbourne on Saturday night, while the Eels will round out Round 13 against the high-flying North Queensland Cowboys on Monday night at Pirtek Stadium.

Match Details

Penrith Panthers 20 Parramatta Eels 26
Venue: Pepper Stadium
Crowd: 17821
Halftime Score: Penrith Panthers 0 Parramatta Eels 14

PENRITH PANTHERS (20)
Tries: Isaah Yeo, Bryce Cartwright, David Simmons, Dallin Watene Zelezniak
Conversions: Bryce Cartwright (0/1), Peter Wallace (2/3)

PARRAMATTA EELS (26)
Tries: Ryan Morgan, Reece Robinson, Semi Radradra (2)
Conversions: Chris Sandow (4/4)
Penalty Goals: Chris Sandow (1/1)

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:

3 points - Bryce Cartwright
2 points - Chris Sandow
1 point - Lewis Brown

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary

Welcome to League Unlimited's coverage of Friday Night Football between Penrith Panthers and Parramatta Eels at Pepper Stadium.

Josh Mansour will have to wait another week to make his return from injury, with Robert Jennings coming into the side wearing #19. Reagan Campbell-Gillard will continue his great start to 2015 by starting in the front row for the first time in his career; Nigel Plum moves back to the bench.

Parramatta will be 1-17 with Daniel Alvaro coming onto the bench to make his first grade debut.

Having spent the past few seasons with the Broncos Under 20s and the Eels NSW Cup side Wentworthville, the 22-year old prop will be out to impress.

Eels coach Brad Arthur has responded his sides poor form in recent weeks by dropping Peni Terepo and Richie Fa'aoso in place of Joseph Paulo and Alvaro, while Chris Sandow has earned a reprieve at halfback after the salary cap scandal forced Luke Kelly back to reserve grade.

The last time these two sides met, Penrith produced one of their finest attacking displays of 2014, running out 38-12 victors.

Parramatta on the field, Penrith about to come on to the cheers of their home fans.

Matt Moylan kicks off and the game is underway.

Eels looking to spread the ball early on in the match.

1: Robert Jennings is driven back by three Eels, including Wicks and Mannah.

2: Soward bombs, but Reece Robinson is under no pressure to take the ball on the full.

2: Eels penalty. Flop against Sam McKendry and Lewis Brown.

3: TRY PARRAMATTA EELS
Scored by Ryan Morgan. Kick to come.
Great series of passing, including a great pass from Will Hopoate to send his winger over. First blood Eels.

4: The Eels have shown a willingness to pass the ball early on and have seen the dividends with the first four-pointer to Ryan Morgan.

5: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PARRAMATTA EELS
Conversion attempt by Chris Sandow successful.
From the touchline, Sandow swings the ball back and the Eels take a 6-0 lead early on.

6: TRY PARRAMATTA EELS
Scored by Reece Robinson. Kick to come.
The Eels are in again!

6: A tremendous pass from Robinson sent Radradra down the left sideline, before passing to his fullback in support. Great try from the Eels.

8: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PARRAMATTA EELS
Conversion attempt by Chris Sandow successful.
Inside eight minutes, the Eels are up by 12. Who would have predicted this!

10: Matt Moylan is receiving some attention from the Panthers trainer. Could be an issue, but he appears to be staying on.

10: Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is just able to beat Ryan Morgan to the ball, but play has been stopped for Matt Moylan.

10: The Panthers #1 is being assisted off the field, huge loss for Penrith.

10: Expect Dallin Watene-Zelezniak to move to fullback, with Isaah Yeo shifting into the centres.

11: Panthers get a relieving penalty.

12: Campell-Gillard is away after an offload from Sam McKendry. Panthers inside the Eels red zone.

13: Robert Jennings can't hold onto Isaah Yeo's pass.

13: Anthony Watmough loses the ball, as Sika Manu takes his first run of the match.

14: Great rushing defence from Semi Radradra to cut down Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.

14: Waqa Blake is claiming a try, but it looked like the Panthers centre lost control. The referee has ruled try, but the video ref will take a look.

14: No Try. Eels 20 metre re-start.

14: Great work from Will Hopoate to stop Blake.

15: Big shot from Isaah Yeo on Brad Takairangi.

16: Ma'u and Takairangi drive Sika Manu back into the ground.

16: Manu sends Jennings away, before Radradra rounds up the winger.

18: Reece Robinson delivers a great kick, before leading the chase on the Eels #1.

19: Sandow looks for a 40/20, but David Simmons cleans up for the Panthers.

20: Anthony Watmough makes a nice run, but Ryan Morgan is unable to latch onto the pass.

22: Suspected ruptured ligament the early diagnosis on Matt Moylan. Definitely out for tonight, could be out for an extended period.

22: Jeremy Latimore on for the Panthers.

23: Ma'u is taken by Yeo and Wallace close to the Panthers 30.

24: Soward drives the ball down Robinson's throat.

24: Penrith force a turnover and get the ball close to halfway.

25: Danny Wicks dives on a loose Panthers pass. It's just not happening for the home side tonight.

25: Junior Paulo on for the Eels.

26: Eels already up to the halfway line. The Panthers will do well to hold on here.

27: Penrith manage to defuse an Eels attacking raid, knocking the ball dead for a line dropout.

27: Joseph Paulo on for Parramatta.

29: Chris Sandow has been taken out trying to score. The Panthers concede a penalty, but Brad Takairangi is being looked at, potentially a serious injury.

29: Sandow elects to take the scoreline outside of two-converted tries.

30: SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL PARRAMATTA EELS
Penalty goal attempt by Chris Sandow successful.
From close to the posts, Sandow takes the score out to 14-0.

30: Manu Ma'u makes a great run up to the 40 metre line.

31: Watene-Zelezniak is trapped in-goal for another dropout.

32: Anthony Watmough coming off with a should injury.

33: Norman looks to pass to Radradra, but Robert Jennings gets a hand forcing it into touch.

33: Pauli Pauli loses the ball with his first run.

35: Soward looks for a 40/20, but it falls short.

36: Bryce Cartwright strips the Eels of the ball, resulting in a Parramatta penalty. If the Eels can score before halftime, it could be curtains for the home side.

37: Penrith hang on as Waqa Blake takes the ball out of their own end, before they get a relieving penalty.

38: Penrith throwing the ball around, but unable to make much ground.

38: Sandow kicks for Simmons, but the ball bounces into touch.

40: Sandow drills the ball into touch as the Eels take a 14-0 lead into the break.

40: The Eels have flown out of the gates to take a 14-0 lead into the break. Things won't get any easier for the Panthers with Matthew Moylan ruled out of the rest of the game with a suspected ruptured ligament.

40: Can the Panthers turn around their fortunes, or will the Eels break through for a much needed win.

40: Reagan Campbell-Gillard has led the way for the Panthers, while Elijah Taylor has been strong in defence, coming up with 35 tackles.

40: Semi Radradra and Manu Ma'u have been the Eels best so far in attack and defence.

40: Both sides back on the field, second half underway.

40: Penalty to Penrith. Good chance early on for the Panthers.

42: Great take by Reece Robinson to defuse Soward's chip kick.

42: Corey Norman into space, before being taken by Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.

42: Robert Jennings defuses Sandow's kick. Pressure off the Panthers.

43: Eels penalty.

44: Eels inside the Panthers 10.

45: Sandow's kick hits the crossbar, before Reece Robinson's grubber goes into touch.

46: Penalty to Penrith as James Segeyaro and Nathan Peats sparks a fracas.

47: Soward bombs, but Radradra cleans up.

47: Robert Jennings looks to have injured his shoulder, if the Panthers lose another back it might just be the game.

49: A great series of passes gets the Panthers inside the attacking zone.

49: James Segeyaro has made a bust through the Eels defence. Isaah Yeo is claiming a try, but Jamie Soward has been smashed by Pauli Pauli. IT'S ALL HAPPENING TONIGHT!

49: TRY PENRITH PANTHERS
Scored by Isaah Yeo. Kick to come.
As he did in the corresponding game last year, Isaah Yeo has scored against the Eels.

49: Great work from the versatile Dubbo junior to touch down.

50: Jamie Soward is being escorted off the field with a shoulder injury. Pauli Pauli on report.

51: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PENRITH PANTHERS
Conversion attempt by Bryce Cartwright unsuccessful.
To put it lightly, Cartwright's kick is well wide.

51: If the Panthers are going to get out of this one, James Segeyaro and Peter Wallace will need to "Fire Up".

52: Segeyaro takes a dart out of dummy half and earns a penalty.

53: TRY PENRITH PANTHERS
Scored by David Simmons. Kick to come.
Brilliant work from Bryce Cartwright!

54: With some classy footwork and ball skills that would make Benji Marshall applaud, Cartwright sends Simmons over for a four-pointer.

54: The Eels will need to tighten up, Penrith have found their spark.

55: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PENRITH PANTHERS
Conversion attempt by Peter Wallace unsuccessful.
After Cartwright's "horrific" conversion attempt, Wallace pushes his kick wide.

56: Lewis Brown is through, Danny Wicks slams Peter Wallace, but the Panthers get another penalty. IT'S ALL THE PANTHERS!

57: Panthers try a spread to the right, but the Eels are able to cut down Robert Jennings.

58: Bryce Cartwright is claiming a try, but the referee wants to check for obstruction.

58: TRY PENRITH PANTHERS
Scored by Bryce Cartwright. Kick to come.
With Matt Moylan and Jamie Soward gone, the Panthers interchange forward has produced two brilliant plays.

58: Cometh the hour, cometh the man: Bryce Cartwright has announced himself tonight. Outstanding performance.

58: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PENRITH PANTHERS
Conversion attempt by Peter Wallace successful.
The Panthers are level.

59: Jamie Soward looking to come back into the game.

60: Another penalty to the Panthers. The Eels haven't touched the ball for 10 minutes.

60: Spilt ball from Waqa Blake, the Eels finally get possession back.

61: Semi Radradra is claiming a try. A brilliant kick from Takairangi in-field for his winger. But the referee is checking for obstruction, however he has indicate a try.

61: Radradra is possibly offside.

61: Radradra looks to have knocked on.

61: TRY PARRAMATTA EELS
Scored by Semi Radradra. Kick to come.
After a long delay, the Eels are back in front.

61: This game was looking like a bit of a bludger early on, but it has come to life in the last 15 minutes.

61: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PARRAMATTA EELS
Conversion attempt by Chris Sandow successful.
From the left touchline, Sandow converts.

63: The Eels look to have regained their composure, especially in defence with that last try.

64: Bryce Cartwright loses the ball. Eels scrum just over halfway.

64: Radradra claiming another try. The big Fijian winger dives over, with Isaah Yeo unable to hold him up.

64: TRY PARRAMATTA EELS
Scored by Semi Radradra. Kick to come.
Eels look on top now, they should get home.

64: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PARRAMATTA EELS
Conversion attempt by Chris Sandow successful.
Off the up-rights, the Eels are up 26-14.

65: Tim Mannah coming off, doesn't appear to be a major injury, but he wasn't replaced of his own volition.

68: On the last, Soward chips for Jennings who comes up with the ball, only for Soward to toe the ball dead.

68: That will probably gets the Eels over the line tonight.

68: Turnover for the Panthers.

69: TRY PENRITH PANTHERS
Scored by Dallin Watene Zelezniak. Kick to come.
It's not over yet baby. Isaah Yeo offloads for his replacement fullback, and the Panthers are alive.

70: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PENRITH PANTHERS
Conversion attempt by Peter Wallace successful.
It's a 6-point game with ten left.

71: Campbell-Gillard takes the first run of the set.

71: Still no Daniel Alvaro for the Eels.

72: Soward chips, Jennings comes up with the ball and the Panthers have a chance.

72: Great take from Will Hopoate to defuse Soward's bomb.

72: This has been a cracking game of footy tonight!

73: Great kick from Parramatta forces the Penrith on their line.

73: Brown offloads, but Soward is taken.

74: Reece Robinson is down for the Eels.

74: Daniel Alvaro takes his first run in the NRL.

75: Sandow looks to take the field goal, but is pressured by the Panthers, only to force a repeat set.

76: Alvaro can't hold onto Moeroa's offload. Chance for the Panthers.

76: The Panthers are inside the Eels half.

77: Soward bombs, it's allowed to bounce, but Wallace loses control. Changeover.

77: Great work from Reece Robinson to force the ball loose from Peter Wallace.

78: Penrith up to the 20 metre line on the 1st.

79: Soward looks for a 40/20 but he has been unable to buy that kick tonight.

80: Simmons tries a chip but the Eels come up with the ball.

80: Eels win 26-20.