The Parramatta Eels have seen off rivals Manly Sea Eagles with an entertaining 30-point victory at Pirtek Stadium.
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Parramatta scored first thanks to Fijian try-machine Semi Radradra. This fired Manly into action and they looked to have scored soon after when Cheyse Blair crossed.
But the try was not allowed, ruled out for a forward pass from Keiran Foran.
The Eels soon added a second try when Will Hopoate crossed against his old team, set up by Chris Sandow.
But the Sea Eagles started to get some more possession and Jesse Sene-Lefao ran hard to spark his team. Sene-Lefao was smashed by the Eels when he ran the ball back.
This showed the passion evident in the game and then Manly got their first try from Brett Stewart, created by Kieran Foran’s inside pass.
The Sea Eagles recorded their second try 13 minutes later when Stewart found Blair free on the wing. The conversion put them ahead 12-10.
But Parramatta finished the half stronger, Radradra claiming his second try of the night with a quick shift of the ball to the left wing.
The Eels continued the second half in style, a grubber from Reece Robinson dived on from Chris Sandow. Robinson then kicked from the sideline to take the score to 24-12.
On 52 minutes Radradra claimed his hat-trick with a simple try on the left wing.
Three minutes later and Parramatta sealed the win an impressive try. Chris Sandow regathered a chip and chase to help put Brad Takrairangi in and the rout was complete.
There was plenty of feeling in this game and tensions spoiled over late when Brendan Lawrence was dumped hard in a big tackle.
Parramatta finished the game 42-12 winners. The Eels have sent a marker down to the rest of the competition while Manly will have plenty to work on for round two.
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