Re-live: Debutant Bevan French saves Parramatta Eels with incredible tackle to deny Knights

PARRAMATTA debutant Bevan French has saved the Eels in the dying stages with an incredible tackle to deny Knights speedster Nathan Ross the match winner. Re-live the action!

Semi Radradra carries the ball against the Knight.

PARRAMATTA debutant Bevan French has saved the Eels in the dying stages with an incredible tackle to deny Knights speedster Nathan Ross the match winner, with the visitors hanging on for a 20-18 win.

The two-point victory was full of drama, assuring the Eels live to fight another day with their finals dream still flickering.

The win will come as a big lift for the spirits of Parramatta fans but it wasn’t all good news, with star playmaker Kieran Foran forced up the tunnel in the first half with an arm injury.

He was unable to take any further part in the match.

THE STAR

Bevan French. We’ve been waiting to see this kid play his first NRL game since he lit up the Nines as one of the players of the tournament.

He didn’t let us down with a try and a safe pair of hands under constant high balls before capping his debut with a try saving tackle on a rampaging Nathan Ross with just a couple of minutes to go.

Miraculously using his legs to hold up his opponent in the in-goal, French guaranteed victory for his side.

THE DUNCE

Impossible to pick one player out in a credible performance from both sides.

However, Lachlan Fitzgibbon knocked the ball on when the Knights were mounting a late attacking raid when ball security needed to be at a premium.

Funnily enough the young forward’s indiscretion led to three other knock ons in a calamitous two minute period from both sides.

THE MOMENT

It didn’t decide the result in the end but it might decide Parramatta’s season.

For the second straight week a hit on Kieran Foran had him cradling his arm, only this time he was unlikely to continue, with the trainer taking him up the tunnel in the first half.

If he misses the next few matches it could be all over for the Eels’ finals hopes.

WHAT WE LEARNED

Despite all the player movement and the raw squad being assembled by Newcastle coach Nathan Brown, the Knights showed the guts and determination their supporters are crying out for.

With more performances like that, results will start to go their way and the fans will start to see some light at the end of the tunnel.

Re-live our live coverage in the blog below!

Originally published as Re-live: Debutant Bevan French saves Parramatta Eels with incredible tackle to deny Knights