Parra Take SG Ball Premiership 2007

parragirl

Monday, 14th May 2007

In the SG Ball Cup grand final, the battle of the west saw the Parramatta Eels beat the previously undefeated Penrith Panthers 22-12.
Penrith were looking at creating history by being the first club to win both Junior Representative competitions in consecutive years. In the end, they walked away with no silverware.
The Panthers were on fire in the first half with Lachlan Coote scoring his 18th try of the season when his was first to a kick from Wade Graham.
Hooker Lancen Joudo showed great speed to race 55 metres through Anthony Mitchell and Joel Latham before stepping around Domenic Nasso to score in the 20th minute. Michael Mate's conversion had Penrith ahead 12-0 and in total control. Mate could have increased Panthers lead but the penalty goal missed its target.
It looked like the Eels would go into the sheds without any points on the board but Shaun Cox showed exceptional pace to sprint 65 metres to score under the posts and make it 12-6 at the interval.
"It was a big play for us. It was a big decision to put him (Shaun Cox) on the bench but I knew he could do more damage if we brought him in later. His try gave the boys a huge lift," said Parramatta coach Troy Pezet.
Penrith had a chance to increase their lead just two minutes into the second-half when prop-forward Sam McKendry charged down a Bulldogs kick but couldn't hang on to the ball.
The Eels levelled up at 12-all when Mitchell scored from dummy-half in the 40th minute. Cameron Speechley kicked the conversion and then put Parramatta in front for the first time in the game when he was successful with a 50th minute penalty goal.
Speechley then crossed under the posts soon after to give the Eels a handy 20-12 advantage and then kicked another penalty goal with five minutes remaining.
"We had the belief that we could get back in the game. We have proven since losing against Penrith in round two that we have been the best side in the competition," said Pezet.
"We treated the game like it was just another game for us. It was business as usual for us all week."

Parramatta 22 (Shaun Cox, Cameron Speechley, Anthony Mitchell tries; Speechley 5 goals) d. Penrith 12 (Lachlan Coote, Lancen Joudo tries; Michael Mate 2 goals) at Western Weekender Stadium. Referee: Michael Laverty. Touch Judges: Dominic Feenan, Robert Moore

http://www.nswrl.com.au/article.php?id=272

This article was first posted on the 23rd of May 2007 and has been moved from the NRL forum to this new Forum.

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Skyhunter · Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2007 2:08 pm Post subject:

Congratulations to the Eels the new SG ball Premiers in 2007. All the best to the Panthers for making the final.

Premiers - Parramatta 22
Runners-up - Panthers 12

This post was first posted on the 23rd of May 2007 and has been moved from the NRL forum to this new Forum.