Nathan Peats injured as Parramatta Eels upset North Queensland Cowboys

EELS 20 COWBOYS 16

• As it happened: Eels v Cowboys

Parramatta fans will hope club officials show the same resistance to the NRL's salary cap auditors as the players did to beat North Queensland on Saturday night. The Eels brushed aside a turbulent week to defeat the premiers 20-16 in front of 12,194 people at Pirtek Stadium.

The result ended the Cowboys' four-game winning streak. Parramatta coach Brad Arthur said in the lead-up to the game that his players were not distracted by the NRL investigating claims into alleged breaches of the salary cap. And Parramatta players backed up their coach's words. 

Getting there: Brad Takairangi scores for the Parramatta Eels despite the defence of the North Queensland Cowboys at Pirtek Stadium. Photo: Cameron Spencer

Matt Scott and Manu Ma'u were placed on report for crusher tackles while James Tamou could come under scrutiny for a high tackle on Semi Radradra.  The Cowboys lost the penalty count 10-5.

The Eels' first win of the season was soured after Nathan Peats failed to complete the game with an elbow injury. Peats, who scored a try, was strong, looks set to avoid another extended stint on the sidelines after injuries ended his last two seasons with reports from the sheds after the game indicating it could just be a sprain. "I think [Peats] is ok. He sprained his elbow," Arthur said.

With star signing Kieran Foran turning out for the first time, the Eels defended their way to victory against a poor Cowboys side. North Queensland bumbled their way to a first-half completion of just 63 per cent as they struggled to control the ball. Dummy-half errors, play-the-ball fumbles and regulation hit-up errors plagued a side which lacked direction with regular hooker Jake Granville benched in place of Rory Kostjasyn for the opening exchanges. 

Rejoicing: Kenny Edwards celebrates after scoring a try. Photo: Cameron Spencer

Foran took his spot on Parramatta's right edge, alongside Beau Scott who renewed his hostilities with Cowboys co-captain Johnathan Thurston. Foran was controlled, without being outstanding, as he still looked troubled by his ongoing hamstring injury. 

Parramatta's power game proved too much for the Cowboys.

Michael Gordon's boot opened the Eels scoring after six minutes before a Cowboys attacking raid was repelled by a desperate home side. Radradra looked to have given opposite Kyle Feldt too much space on his outside, only for a try saving lunge by Radradra, forcing Feldt over the sideline.

Muscling up: Tepai Moeroa hits it up for Parramatta Eels against the North Queensland Cowboys at Pirtek Stadium. Photo: Cameron Spencer

The Cowboys scored first through Ethan Lowe, who surged through a gap left by a rushing Corey Norman, to carry two players over the try line.

A dummy-half error by Kostjasyn from the restart set gifted Parramatta good field possession, and his opposite Peats would make him pay by crashing over from the play the ball to give Parramatta an 8-6 midway through the first half.

The Eels seemed destined to hold a two-point lead at half-time but were given one last chance to add points after a questionable blocking penalty. Feldt was penalised for shouldering Radradra as he chased a kick, with replays suggesting it was the Parramatta flyer who ran into Feldt who was standing his ground.

Painful: Nathan Peats heads for the sideline. Photo: Cameron Spencer

The call proved costly for the Cowboys when Kenny Edwards stepped his way over the try line on the stroke of half-time to give the Eels a 14-6 lead. 

A poor second half cost the Eels, who failed to replicate their strong opening 40 minutes. Thurston's increased involvement proved too much for a fragile Eels defence with Justin O'Neill scoring in the 49th minute to have the Cowboys trailing by four. A Gordon penalty goal gave the Eels a 16-10 lead. 

A clever short-side set play allowed Brad Takairangi to bust through the Cowboys defence to extend Parramatta's lead by 10.  Jason Taumalolo scored late for North Queensland.