Brisbane continues to be a happy hunting ground for Parramatta in 2024, following a 20-6 victory over the Cowboys which leaves them 2-0 in matches played north of the NSW border this season.
Tries to centre Rosie Kelly and interchange dynamo Rosemarie Beckett saw Parramatta out to a 16-6 lead after 41 minutes and from there they didn’t take the foot off the pedal, scoring a fourth 14 from time to secure their second win of the year.
Following on from a first-up thumping of the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium and a narrow loss to the Sharks back in Sydney last weekend, the Parramatta pack dominated up front and their skill players took full advantage on the back of it.
Papua New Guinea international Elsie Albert led the way with a 215-metre haul, while captain Mahalia Murphy and lock Kennedy Cherrington were also excellent in possession.
While they showed glimpses of the team which had scored seven tries a week prior against the Dragons, North Queensland were ultimately found wanting in attack time and time again, while both tries from Beckett were accompanied by below standard defensive efforts.
The game flowed freely through the opening quarter of the match, with just one error made across the first 20 sets, with Kelly first to get over after wrestling free from an attempted tackle over the line.
While they leaked next after allowing North Queensland forward China Polata to stroll through from close range, the Eels finished the stronger and led 12-6 at the break.
A darting effort from Beckett and a second conversion from Rachael Pearson made the gap six and it should have been more as well, but for a cold drop from Monique Donovan with an open run to the line in front of her.
Just seven minutes into the second period Beckett punished the Cowboys again with a simple run from dummy-half to get over for her second.
Abbi Church’s four-pointer to put the result beyond reach with 14 to play was a fitting reward for the busy fullback, who had 184 run metres by full-time to go with seven tackle busts and two line breaks.