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September 26, 2004: Parramatta put a tough season behind them by taking out the inaugural Maher Cup, winning the Final against Souths 9-6. First half tries to Kenny and Glover gave the Eels an 8-3 lead at the break, and a Melrose field goal with five to go was enough to secure the win and the Cup.
September 19, 2004: Parramatta, inspired by new captain Ray Price, moved into the Maher Cup Final with an emphatic 23-5 win over Wests. The Eels raced to a 15-0 half time lead after tries to Grothe, McMartin and Melrose. Gerard and Kenny crossed in the second half as the Magpies had no answer to the attack of Parramatta. Ron Hilditch will be available for the Final next week, but has said that Price should retain the captaincy.
September 12, 2004: Parramatta looked very shaky until a late penalty goal to Mick Cronin gave them a 14-12 win over Central Coast in their Maher Cup match. Glover and Kenny scored tries for the Eels, but captain Ron Hilditch joined fellow forwards Olling and Higgs on the sidelines after succumbing to injury.
September 4, 2004: Parramatta opened their Maher Cup campaign with a 32-14 win over Canberra, with Phil Mann the star, scoring three tries. The Eels were actually down 7-6 at half time, before scoring six second half tries. Wynn, Price and Cronin were the other try scorers. Prop Graeme Olling was injured in the match.
August 29, 2004: Parramatta's season ending with a last minute 13-8 loss to Norths at Cumberland Oval. The scores were 8-8 until Don McKinnon scored a last minute try for the Bears. Gerard and Melrose scored tries for the Eels, who finished the season in ninth spot.
August 25, 2004: Mick Cronin finally returns from injury this week, taking his place in the centres, while Geoff Gerard moves into the forwards to replace the suspended skipper Ray Higgs. Ron Hilditch takes over as captain.
August 22, 2004: Parramatta surrended their season meekly as they went down 20-4 to Wests at Cumberland Oval, failing to score a try. The Magpies led 4-2 until a try to Steve Knight right on half time gave them the confidence to go on with the job. Captain Ray Higgs let his frustrations get the better of him, and was sent off in the second half.
August 15, 2004: Parramatta's finals dream is still alive after a 16-11 win over Easts. The Eels scored four tries to three, with Glover, Hilditch, Price and Grothe crossing the line. Graeme Olling was named man of the match. The win leaves Parramatta three points out of the five with two matches left to play.
August 11, 2004: Parramatta welcome back Phil Mann and Eric Grothe to their backline for this week's game against Easts. Graeme Atkins and John Moran make way for their return.
August 8, 2004: Parramatta turned in one of their best performances of the season to secure a 17-17 draw with competition leaders Manly at Cumberland Oval. Tries to Geoff Gerard and Neville Glover set up a 10-10 scoreline at half time. A further try to Gerard in the last ten minutes saw the Eels edge ahead 17-15 before a Graham Eadie penalty goal levelled the scores. Ron Hilditch was named best on the park for Parramatta.
August 1, 2004: Parramatta's finals hopes took a dive as they fell 12-10 to Penrith at Penrith Park. Peter Wynn and Ron Hilditch scored tries for the Eels. Tony Melrose was again among the Eels' best. The loss sees Parramatta in equal eighth place, four points adrift of the top five.
July 28, 2004: Parramatta have named John Moran on the wing to replace the suspended Eric Grothe for this week's vital match against Penrith.
July 25, 2004: Parramatta kept their finals hopes alive by beating Souths 18-15 at Cumberland Oval. Stand in fullback Graeme Atkins scored two of the Eels four tries. Winger Eric Grothe scored a try but was later sent off. Tony Melrose scored the other try for the Eels. The win leaves Parramatta just two points out of the top five.
July 21, 2004: Parramatta have named Graeme Atkins at fullback for this week's clash with Souths. Atkins replaces the suspended Mick Bellew.
July 18, 2004: Parramatta overcame poor form and the dismissal of stand in fullback Mick Bellew to still be in with s shot of beating St George at Cumberland Oval with just five minutes left. The boot of Ted Goodwin denied the Eels as the Saints got up 13-11. Peter Wynn and Ray Higgs scored the Eels' tries, while Tony Melrose was the best of the backs.
July 14, 2004: Mick Bellew will make his first grade debut this weekend against St George. Bellew replaces Neil Hunt. Tony Melrose returns to first grade, replacing the injured Mick Cronin, and will also take over the goal kicking duties.
July 11, 2004: Mick Cronin must be the unluckiest player in the league tonight, as he was injured late in the game against Newtown, ruling him out of the Australian squad to tour New Zealand. Cronin will be on the sidelines for six weeks and will be sorely missed by the Eels, who relied on his goal kicking to stay in touch with Newtown, before ultimately going down 11-9. Ray Price scored the only try for the Eels in a match where they were constantly playing catch up. Peter Wynn was best for the Eels. Queenslanders Chris Close and Mal Meninga have been named as centres in the touring party in the absence of Cronin and Cronulla's Steve Rogers.
July 7, 2004: Parramatta have named Neil Hunt as the replacement for fullback Phil Mann for this week's match of the round against Newtown.
July 4, 2004: Parramatta overcame an 8-3 deficit at half time and an injury to fullback Phil Mann to secure a much needed point in their 8-8 draw at Cumberland Oval. Neville Glover and Geoff Gerard scored tries for the Eels, but it was a late Mick Cronin penalty goal which tied the scores. Peter Wynn was the best for the Eels.
June 30, 2004: Hooker John McMartin returns from suspension in reserve grade this week. McMartin was a key player earlier in the season when the Eels were in the top five. Coach Terry Fearnley says either Ray Price or Ron Hilditch will captain the side if Ray Higgs is picked in the Australian squad to tour New Zealand.
June 27, 2004: Parramatta just missed out on beating the high flying Balmain at Leichhardt Oval, going down 13-12 in a thriller. The Tigers scored three tries to two, but tries to Eric Grothe and Geoff Gerard gave the Eels hope. Parramatta led 9-6 at half time, but were edged out of the game by the kicking skills of Mark Levy and Les Mara. Mick Cronin was the best for the Eels.
June 23, 2004: Parramatta will welcome back new NSW winger Neville Glover for this week's game against Balmain. Graeme Atkins returns to reserve grade.
June 20, 2004: Graeme Atkins repaid the selctors' faith by scoring a try in Parramatta's 13-5 win over Canterbury. Eric Grothe scored the other try for the Eels in a win which keeps them in equal sixth spot. Neville Glover was later named in the NSW team as the replacement for injured winger Larry Corowa.
June 19, 2004: Ron Hilditch scored a try and Bob O'Reilly was named man of the match in City's 17-15 win over Country. Parramatta have named Graeme Atkins as the replacement for Neville Glover in tomorrow's game against Canterbury.
June 13, 2004: Neville Glover is the unluckiest player in the Scanlens Cup tonight after an injury ruled him out of certain selection for NSW. His place went to Manly's Ray Branighan. Glover scored a try in the Eels 26-15 loss to Norths. Ron Hilditch and Mick Cronin also scored tries. Cronin was later named in the NSW side, while captain Ray Higgs was named for QLD. Ron Hilditch and Bob O'Reilly were selected for City.
June 6, 2004: Parramatta struggled to get going in the inaugural Vic Hey Trophy match against Wests at Lidcombe Oval, and found themselves down 8-0 after 25 minutes. Despite tries to Bob O'Reilly and Mick Cronin, the Eels lost the match and the trophy, 17-10. Graeme Olling was the best for the Eels, while City hooker aspirant John McMartin was sent from the field. Teammate Ron Hilditch is sure to move to hooker next week, and will be strongly considered by City selectors. The loss sees Parramatta drop out of the top five for the first time this year, but coach Terry Fearnley assured supporters that there would be no repeat of last year's second half collapse which saw the Eels crash from leaders to second last by season's end.
June 2, 2004: Terry Fearnley has made one positional switch to his side to take on Wests in the inaugural Vic Hey Trophy match this weekend. Ron Hilditch moves to the second row, allowing Graeme Olling to return to his favoured position at prop. The Eels will be looking to return to the winner's list after two straight losses.
May 30, 2004: Mick Cronin had a rare off day with the boot in the Eels 15-9 loss to Easts at Cumberland Oval. Both sides managed three tries, but the Eels couldn't overcome an 8-6 half time deficit. Eric Grothe, Graham Olling and Neville Glover scored tries for Parramatta, while Ray Price was the pick of the forwards.
May 23, 2004: They may not have won the game, but Parramatta showed they can match it with Manly, despite the 11-5 scoreline. A tryless first half saw Manly lead 4-2, but a Neville Glover try gave the Sea Eagles a real scare before they found their best form to seal the win. Bob O'Reilly was the best for the Eels. After the match, Terry Fearnley said if the NSW selectors didn't want Glover for their side, he would be happy to have him in the city team in three week's time. Glover has scored five tries this season, just one behind the leaders, Newtown's John Ribot and Phil Sigsworth.
May 19, 2004: Parramatta have rushed Ron Hilditch straight back into first grade after a four week lay off with injury, but it is not in his preferred hooking position. Coach Terry Fearnley said the form of stand in rake John McMartin has been too good for him to be dropped, and Hilditch will return at prop. Graham Olling moves to second row, forcing Geoff Gerard out to the centres. Tony Melrose is the unlucky player to be dropped, after a good performance last week which included a try. Melrose has been named in the unlikely role of hooker in reserve grade. Fearnly says the match this week against Manly will really test his side's ability to match it with the top teams.
May 16, 2004: Parramatta did what they had to do and little more to beat Penrith 15-10 at Cumberland Oval. Geoff Gerard scored two tries for the Eels, with Tony Melrose picking up the other try. The Eels led 10-5 at half time and held on to keep third spot on the ladder.
May 12, 2004: Parramatta have kept the same line up for this week's clash with Penrith. Reserve grade fullback Mick Bellew has now scored six tries in six games, but must be content with playing second fiddle to the in form Phil Mann.
May 9, 2004: The Eels bounced back to form, beating Souths 18-14. Mick Cronin was the star, scoring two tries and three goals, while front row Graeme Olling enhanced his claims for City selection with a strong performance. The win leaves Parramatta in third spot on the ladder.
May 5, 2004: Parramatta have recalled Tony Melrose to first grade at the expense of Peter Wynn for this week's clash with Souths.
May 2, 2004: Parramatta were the victim of a return to from by premiers St George. The Eels scored just one try, through captain Ray Higgs, to the Saints four as they went down 16-7 at Kogarah Oval. Despite the loss, Parramatta remain in third place on the ladder.
April 25, 2004: Parramatta's backs taught Newtown a lesson today as they went on a first half rampage to set up a 19-5 win. Neville Glover, Mick Cronin and Eric Grothe all scored tries in a win which keeps Parramatta in third place.
April 22, 2004: Parramatta have named reserve grade captain John McMartin as the replacement for injured hooker Ron Hilditch. Peter Wynn also comes into the side for Tony Melrose with Geoff Gerard moving to the centres. In other news, coach Terry Fearnley has again been named coach of City for their clash against Country on June 19.
April 18, 2004: Parramatta's fatigue factor caught up with them in their top of the table clash against Cronulla. Leading 7-4 with twenty minutes to go, the fitter Cronulla side scored two late tries to win 14-9. Brett Kenny scored the sole try for the Eels in a loss which sees them drop back to fourth place on the ladder. In further bad news for the Eels, hooker Ron Hilditch is expected to be out for the next four weeks after suffering an injury late in the game.
April 14, 2004: Parramatta's experiment to try new players in their side for the Amco Cup game against Canterbury backfired, as they were beaten 15-6 tonight. Brett Kenny and Phil Mann scored for the Eels but it wasn't enough to beat a dogged Canterbury side. Coach Terry Fearnley named the same side that beat Balmain last weekend to play Cronulla in this Sunday's top of the table clash.
April 12, 2004: Parramatta coach Terry Fearnley has opted to rest several players from Wednesday night's opening Amco Cup match against Canterbury, with the top of the table clash against Cronulla this weekend in mind. Backs Glover, Melrose, Grothe and Sterling have been rested, along with forwards Gerard, O'Reilly and Hilditch. Several reserve grade players will have a chance to impress. The full side is Mann, Atkins, Cronin, Kenny, Hunt, Pittard, Kolc, Price, Higgs (c), Wynn, Olling, McMartin, Fitzgerald.
April 11, 2004: Parramatta continued their good form with a comfortable 12-2 win over Balmain. Ron Hilditch and Mick Cronin got the tries for the Eels. Front rowers O'Reilly and Olling laid the foundations for Parramatta, but it was Eric Grothe who stole the show with a series of penetrating runs on the wing which the Tigers defence struggled to contain.
April 4, 2004: Parramatta started their Scanlens Cup campaign with a come from behind 18-10 win over Canterbury at Belmore. Forwards Bob O'Reilly and Ray Price led the way for the Eels, but it was their backline which got among the points, with tries to Glover, Grothe, Cronin and Sterling.
March 21, 2004: Parramatta rounded off their pre season with a one point win over Easts 8-7. Phil Mann and Tony Melrose got the tries for the Eels which helped them finish fourth in the Craven Mild Cup.
March 14, 2004: The Eels bounced back from last week's loss to Cronulla with a 19-12 win over Balmain at Cumberland Oval. A try and three goals to Mick Cronin set up an early 9-5 lead, and further tries to ROn Hilditch and Eric Grothe sealed the victory.
March 7, 2004: Parramatta started the Craven Mild Cup with a loss to a side they recently beat in a trial. Cronulla scored four tries to two on their way to beating the Eels 17-12. Parramatta led 8-5 at half time but were over run in the second half. Tony Melrose and Graeme Olling scored the tries for the Eels.
February 29, 2004: Parramatta finished their pre season trials with an 18-13 win over Penrith. Winger Neville Glover scored two tries for the Eels in a display which should give them confidence going into their Craven Mild Cup opener against Cronulla next week. The reserves also snuck home, 9-7.
February 15, 2004: Parramatta managed a late penalty goal to beat Cronulla 13-12 in their second trial match. Fullback Phil Mann scored two tries for the Eels. Their reserves managed an 18-14 win, with John Moran scoring two tries.
February 1, 2004: Parramatta, desperate to start 2004 on a good note after their second half decline last season, struggled to an 18-18 draw with Port Macquarie. Coach Terry Fearnley accused his players of treating the trip as a holiday and said there would be pressure from the reserves, who beat Souths 18-11, with John McMartin scoring three tries. All the first grade's tries were scored by forwards.
SQUAD Graeme Atkins Mick Bellew Keith Campbell Mick Cronin Graeme Ernst Denis Fitzgerald Geoff Gerard Neville Glover Eric Grothe Ken Hey Ray Higgs (Captain) Ron Hilditch Neil Hunt Bob Jay Phil Jelley Brett Kenny John Kolc Phil Mann John McMartin Mal McMartin Tony Melrose John Moran John Muggleton Graham Murray Graeme Olling Bob O'Reilly Mick Pattison Denis Pittard Ray Price John Quayle Terry Reynolds Owen Stephens Peter Sterling Gary Thomas John Vincent Peter Wynn John Wilson Home
