The South Sydney Rabbitohs NYC (under 20s) side has gone down to the Parramatta Eels by 22-16 at ANZ Stadium.
The difference would prove to be the kicking of Eels fullback, Michael Doolan, whose five goals – including two penalty-goals – managed to sink the men in Red and Green.
Despite an evenly matched opening to proceedings that saw the Rabbitohs put the Eels under all-sorts of pressure on their own line with back-to-back repeat-sets, it would be Parramatta who would open the scoring through Jermaine Mati-Leifi. Michael Doolan converted from the touch-line to make it 6-0.
Not long afterwards, the Eels backed the effort up with their second, courtesy of lock-forward, Tom Amone, who hit a short-ball at speed to crash over next to the posts. Doolan added the extras with ease to make it 12-0 in favour of the blue and golds.
Eight minutes from the break, a penalty to the Eels 10 metres out from the try-line saw Doolan take the opportunity to kick his team a further two points ahead to take the score to 14-0 heading into the sheds.
On the resumption, Campbell Graham hit back for the men in Red and Green when he finished off a slick back-line movement that saw the Eels outnumbered on the short-side to make it 14-4.
Chad O’Donnell did likewise with 10 minutes in the second half gone, when a kick ricocheted into the half’s hands before he strode through untouched before converting his own try to make it 14-10.
But the Eels would have none of it, with back-rower Jack Morris taking control back for the visitors with his close-range effort – Doolan converting to take the score out to 20-16.
Souths would get back on the board though shortly afterwards when centre, Latrell Robinson, burst through the blue and gold defensive line before streaking some 55 metres to score under the posts. O’Donnell converted to again narrow the gap to 20-16.
Doolan would again take an opportunity to kick a penalty-goal though to make it 22-16 with 14 minutes in the match remaining.
Eels 22 (Jermaine Mati-Leifi, Tom Amone, Jack Morris, tries; Michael Doolan 5 goals)
Defeated
Rabbitohs 16 (Campbell Graham, Chad O’Donnell, Latrell Robinson, tries; Chad O’Donnell 2 goals)