The Parramatta Eels showed their premiership credentials with a thumping win over the North Queensland Cowboys on Friday night.
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The Eels capitalised on an injury-ravaged Cowboys outfit to secure a 26-6 win at 1300SMILES Stadium.
The match marked round nine of the NRL season.
Parramatta started the contest in fine form, with Clint Gutherson crossing for a try in just the ninth minute.
Gutherson found the try line again in the 24th minute as the Eels took a 12-0 advantage.
A Gutherson penalty goal on the stroke of half time helped the visitors to a 14-0 lead at the break.
Will Smith crossed for a try in the 54th minute to guide the Eels to a 20-0 advantage.
The Cowboys finally hit back 12 minutes later through Kyle Feldt, but a late try to Parramatta veteran Tim Mannah rounded out the 26-6 result.
North Queensland headed into the home match without stars Jonathan Thurston, Jake Granville, Lachlan Coote and Matt Scott.
That injury list was further hampered when captain Gavin Cooper left the field late in Friday night’s clash after hurting his shoulder.
The result means the Cowboys have slipped to eighth spot on the NRL ladder, one spot below Parramatta.
Joshua Bartlett
A sporting fanatic who is keen to promote all codes in the Illawarra and abroad. Mercury's chief football reporter.
A sporting fanatic who is keen to promote all codes in the Illawarra and abroad. Mercury's chief football reporter.
