Former NZ Warriors utility Hayze Perham has helped Parramatta Eels snatch a 22-20 victory over Manly Sea Eagles, consolidating their spot in the NRL playoff race.
Perham, 22, made nine appearances for the Warriors, ironically scoring his maiden first-grade try against the Eels in 2020, but was released and joined Parramatta, where he has a spot on the wing in recent weeks.
The former Rotorua Boys High School rugby prodigy scored his team's first two tries to keep them in the contest early, but when star half Mitch Moses was sin-binned for impeding Manly fullback Tom Trbojevic without the ball, Manly seized control to lead 20-10 midway through the second half.
Parramatta needed a last-minute try from centre Will Penisini, cooly converted by Moses from the sideline, to edge ahead.
The result sees them improve to 14-7 for the season, fifth on the table and four points clear of the top-eight playoff cut.
Meanwhile, Canterbury Bulldogs' dire week hit rock bottom, when they succumbed 36-22 to Wests Tigers to remain bottom of the table.
Days after coach Trent Barrett was relieved of his duties, the Bulldogs fell behind 18-0 by halftime, but closed to within two points, with consecutive tries to half Matt Burton, Kiwi hooker Jeremy Marshall-King and winger Jacob Kiraz.
When winger Aaron Schoupp was sin-binned, momentum swung back towards Wests, with Christchurch-born substitute Fa'amanu Brown and half Jock Madden crossing against the shorthanded defence to draw away again.
The Tigers' third win of the season eases them clear of the competition basement.
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