In Round 2 of the NRL Pre-Season Challenge on Friday night, Parramatta’s top players, Mitch Moses and Clint Gutherson, put on an impressive display as the Eels defeated the Knights 36-14.
Moses made a try assist, executed a 20-40 kick, and ran for 88 metres, while Gutherson scored a try and racked up 123 running metres as the Eels geared up for their season opener against Melbourne on March 2.
The Knights struck first with England World Cup star Dom Young scoring in the fifth minute off a swift passing move involving Jackson Hastings, Lachlan Miller, and Dane Gagai.
However, in the eleventh minute, Parramatta’s new recruits J’maine Hopgood and Matt Doorey combined for a try, with Moses converting to take a 6-4 lead.
Gutherson extended the Eels’ lead in the 20th minute with a grubber kick, and winger Sean Russell scored in the corner after the Knights made an error.
Although the Knights responded with a try from Bradman Best, the Eels pulled away with a try from Dylan Brown set up by Moses.
At half-time, the Eels were ahead 22-10, and they further extended their lead in the second half with tries from Jack Murchie and Russell, who scored his second of the night.
The Knights managed to score another try through Marzhew, but Isaac Lumelume sealed the game for Parramatta with a try from close range.
After losing their first game to Penrith, the return of Moses, Gutherson, and forward Junior Paulo made a significant impact, and the Eels looked like a completely different team.
