Mitchell Moses inspires Eels to win over St George, as Dragons coach slams ‘unacceptable scoreline’

Mitchell Moses was at his mercurial best on Sunday as he led Parramatta to an impressive 48-14 win over St George Illawarra in the NRL.

The Eels halfback scored a double, kicked eight from eight goals and contributed two try assists as the Dragons were put to the sword in front of 19,711 fans at CommBank Stadium.

Parramatta, who moved up to fourth spot on the NRL ladder, would have felt hard done by when they went in with a narrow 12-8 lead at the break.

Mitchell Moses (right) was at his mercurial best as the Eels thrashed the Dragons 48-14

Five-eighth Dylan Brown had helped spark an early advantage for the home side until the Red V jagged their way back into the contest just before the half-time break.

But a Moses-inspired second-half showing helped them see off the Dragons’ threat and secure their third win of the season.

‘I thought our spine was very good,’ Parramatta coach Brad Arthur said.

‘They all play their role and I thought we were a threat on either side of the play-the-ball.

The Eels halfback scored a double and kicked eight out of eight goals in a majestic display

Waqa Blake also crossed for the Eels, who picked up a second consecutive win 

‘We’re not playing down one side in particular, I think they were more of a threat and I thought the spine did a really good job.

‘They are calm no matter what the situation, I think they have showed the way for us over the last few rounds.’

Parramatta raced into the lead with Brown sidestepping Moses Mbye as he stood in at fullback after Dragons coach Anthony Griffin had opted to drop youngster Tyrell Sloan.

Griffin said he wanted to protect the fullback, but Mbye’s performance wasn’t convincing.

There was plenty to celebrate for Eels fans as their side moved up to third on the ladder

He struggled under the high ball at times and when Moses spotted he was out of position, the Eels No. 7 kicked ahead ahead for himself for the Eels’ second try.

A Jack Bird try and a Zac Lomax penalty gave the Dragons hope that they could salvage something when they fought their way back into the game before half-time.

But the optimism of a Dragons comeback was short-lived when Tariq Sims and Mbye failed to deal with a Moses grubber towards the in-goal early in the second half.

Eels lock Nathan Brown pounced on the loose ball and another well-weighted Moses grubberkick a few minutes later was picked up by Parramatta hooker Reed Mahoney.

 Dragons coach Anthony Griffin slammed his team for an ‘unacceptable scoreline’

To add insult to injury, St George had Blake Lawrie placed on report by the referee 

Moses fed Will Penisini down the right who turned the ball back inside for captain Clint Gutherson to go over in the 52nd minute before Waqa Blake intercepted a pass to Lomax and ran 85 metres to score.

Blake and Sims exchanged tries before Moses rounded out the rout as Bryce Cartwright produced a sublime flick pass for the halfback to cross.

‘They blew us away in the second half,’ said Griffin.

Jake Bird (right) was one of the few positives for the Dragons, scoring before halftime

‘We started poorly and they made us pay with every opportunity.

‘The scoreline isn’t acceptable but we will take a lot of things out of that first 40 minutes.

‘We have got to learn that lesson and move on.’