Eels show grit in keeping Wests Tigers scoreless

v BYE

A low-scoring Easter Monday clash at ANZ Stadium has gone the way of a resolute Parramatta over an uninspiring Wests Tigers outfit, the Eels coming away with an 8-0 win in front of 36,112 fans.

In what was truly an uneventful game, the only scoring play of the first half was an 8th minute penalty goal to Eels fullback and LeagueUnlimited.com's Player of the Match Michael Gordon. The Eels and Wests Tigers both traded blows end-to-end but neither was able to break through for points - schoolboy errors and uncreative last tackle options cruelling both sides' chances in the first forty.

Little changed in the second forty - only a glittering short ball from Kieran Foran to Junior Paulo near the line broke the try duck in the match, the burly prop scrambling over and just grounding the ball near the posts.

From 8-0 up, the Eels rarely looked threatened as the Wests Tigers' attack offered little more than a gentle snarl, even allowing for a riled-up ANZ Stadium crowd getting behind them.

Shining lights for the hosts included fullback James Tedesco, who managed two crucial trysaving tackles - stopping the Eels winning by more than the eight they did; and Aaron Woods, who carried his side up the park time after time and made a mammoth 195 running metres, despite his side's inability to capitalise.

The Eels did well on the back of Gordon and Paulo's heroics - the former was safe at the back in both attack and defence while Paulo's inspired second half came after he was forced off in the first 40 for a concussion test, which he of course passed.

Parramatta head home to Pirtek Stadium next Sunday to host the Panthers, while the Wests Tigers are home at Campbelltown on Saturday to host the Sharks, who play the Storm later tonight to round out the Easter weekend.