The Parramatta Eels have upset the St George Illawarra Dragons by four points in a close encounter at Pirtek Stadium.
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Parramatta, who have been hit with off-field drama after off-field drama of late, grinded out a tough win.
It was much needed after the salary cap issues the club has faced and the speculation that Kieron Foran may back-flip on his decision to join next year.
There is also doubts on William Hopoate’s future in the blue and yellow.
The victory was helped on by the Eels flying Fijian winger Semi Radradra.
A fan favourite, the big winger picked up a hat-trick of tries.
Radradra is some talent.
It might have been the Fijian’s night but it was the Dragons who scored first.
Euan Aitken crossed after just 110 seconds, after a Benji Marshall kick had caused disarray.
However the Dragons didn’t have the lead for long.
Parramatta hit back when Radradra got his first try. You just can’t stop him picking up tries.
A Gareth Widdop penalty edged the Dragons back in front 8-6.
Most of the points in the first half came in a frentic opening.
At half-time it was locked at 8-6.
In the second half Radradra went over again and Parramatta was back in front.
They took a 12-8 lead and this time didn’t relinquish it.
The Dragons scrambled to respond but had one try disallowed.
After a bomb had gone up the video referee ruled the pass was forward that came back on the inside.
It was a tough call for the Red V and one that would prove costly.
Parramatta centre Brad Takaranghi set up Radradra for his third and final try.
A brilliant offload from the former Gold Coast Titan put him over.
The Eels seemed to have the game sewn up at 16-8.
But the Dragons sparked back into life after Eto Nabuli scored.
St George Illawarra’s own Fijian monster, Nabuli, touched down after a lovely passing move.
The ball shifted along the backline until it came to Nabuli in space.
The try cut Parramatta’s lead to four points.
But the Dragons couldn’t muster another score to trouble the home team.
That’s now two losses on the trot for the Dragons, who went down to the Sydney Roosters in round 15.
Paul McGregor will want to arrest that slide quickly in such a tight and even competition.
For Parramatta, who are in a four-way battle to avoid the wooden spoon with the Manly Sea Eagles, the Wests Tigers and the Newcasle Knights, this victory was vital.
It puts them in 13th spot on the ladder, with the same amount of points as the Penrith Panthers, Gold Coast Titans and Canberra Raiders.
On 12 points below them sit Manly, Wests and Newcastle.
It sets the scene nicely for next weekend when the Eels take on the Tigers.
It’s been a nightmare time for the Parramatta faithful in the past month but at least they have something to cheer about.
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