Foran hurt as Eels squirm past Knights

Omnisports

May 30, 2016 9:04 AM

Parramatta Eels face an anxious wait for news on the fitness of Kieran Foran after he was injured in a thrilling victory over the Knights.

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A dramatic try-saving tackle from debutant Bevan French earned Parramatta Eels a 20-18 win over Newcastle Knights on Monday, but the success came at a cost as star playmaker Kieran Foran aggravated his left shoulder injury.

Foran, who only returned to action last week after a spell of personal leave, had been a doubt ahead of the game and was forced off in the first half after a heavy tackle from Nathan Ross.

Either side of Foran's premature exit from the field, the Knights wiped out a 10-point deficit to lead by eight heading into the final 25 minutes.

However, 20-year-old winger French played a key role as Parramatta came storming back and recorded a first win since it was announced they face a 12-point penalty for breaches of the salary cap.

Having scored the first of two decisive Eels tries in quick succession - the second going to Michael Gordon following a superb break involving Manu Ma'u and Brad Takairangi - French made a decisive contribution at the other end of the field with little more than a minute remaining.

Ross, the scorer of Newcastle's third try - all of which had come in the first half - looked to have powered over for a match-winning score, but video replays showed French had got his leg under the ball to prevent it from being grounded.

The Knights therefore remain bottom of the ladder with just three points from 12 games, while Parramatta now have more points than they are set to be stripped of having won four of their five away games this season.

Meanwhile, the Knights are set to lose Tariq Sims to St George Illawarra Dragons, who have announced the signing of the forward on a three-year deal from 2017.

Omnisports

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