Eels account for sloppy Bulldogs

v BYE

A second half shut-out has helped Parramatta to a 20-12 victory over the Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium tonight in front of 31,815 fans.

The Bulldogs started strongly and were able to deliver the first blow through a Curtis Rona try just four minutes into the contest. They looked to extend their lead through Tyrone Phillips not long after but the ball was just millimetres off the ground as three Eels combined to hold him up.

Parramatta were able to turn the tables in the 16th minute when fill-in five eighth Brad Takairangi benefited from a Beau Scott offload to crash over close to the posts - Michael Gordon's conversion levelling the scores at 6-all.

With the Eels bring the balance back to the contest it seemed they might start to dominate but the 'Dogs were able to halt the momentum, going up the other end around the half hour mark to cross through Josh Morris. Kerrod Holland bagged his second successful conversion for the "away" side to lead 12-6 going into the break - until the 40th minute anyway.

Inside the final thirty seconds the Eels made headway down the right, with quick hands finding Clint Gutherson - the former Manly flyer running 50 metres including a step around Will Hopoate to score Parramatta's second try. Replays showed the officials missed at least one forward pass in the lead-up, but it mattered little as the blue-and-golds trailed by just two points at the change of ends.

That momentum was carried into the second forty by the home team - Corey Norman scoring in the eighth minute post-resumption. With Michael Gordon off injured, Gutherson stepped up to convert and put the Eels four points clear. Some poor defence from the 'Dogs meant they extended that advantage to eight in the 55th minute, when Vai Toutai claimed an easy try off a Bulldogs error, after having let the Eels just roll up the field with little resistance.

Parramatta carried the 20-12 lead right to the final siren despite some late attacking raids from Canterbury, including a denial of a try to Sam Kasiano in the final minute after replays in the Bunker showed he lost the ball in grounding.

The loss has the Bulldogs precariously balanced near the edge of the eight with the Dragons and Sea Eagles breathing down their necks. They face the Wests Tigers after the rep break back at ANZ Stadium on Sunday May 15. The Eels meanwhile have exactly a fortnight to rest before hosting the struggling Rabbitohs at Pirtek Stadium. A win could see them jump into the top four.