Parramatta trailed by 10 points in the second half, but scored four unanswered tries to secure victory.

It was a crucial 20 minutes for the club to take the lead in the pre-season challenge.

The Titans outscored the Storm by more than 29 points but failed to record the required 10 offloads for bonus points, so the Eels won the tournament and took home the $100,000 prize.

After 352 appearances for Manly as a halfback, it will take fans a long time to get used to seeing Cherry-Evans in a different kit, especially with a new number now that he has moved to five-eighth.

Although Walker was involved in bigger plays, Cherry-Evans still controlled the kicking game and still looked strong on the right side, even though he missed a few tackles and even had a charge down on the night.

“The first 20 were a little bit touch-and-go, but now we’ve got a flow and we feel really comfortable with each other. He was great,” Walker said as he left the field at halftime.

Walker had no problem playing against a transsexual partner. After scoring two tries in the first half, dummying Cherry Evans and scoring one of his own, he scored 20/40 to cap off a dream night that saw his new team-mate sent off after 50 minutes.

It still took some time for them to properly gel, and a trick playback in midfield failed minutes after the players returned from a lightning 45-minute delay.

Moments after prop forward Lindsay Collins opened the scoring for the Roosters, NRL officials told linesmen and referees that players had to leave the field at Polytech Stadium due to repeated lightning strikes.

rookie watch

Jordan Samrani is no longer a rookie, but this 13 player showed Jason Lyles that he has to be on the team every week.

The Eels utility showed his class last week with a dramatic solo try and went even further on Saturday, scoring two tries in the closing stages to seal victory for the Blue and Gold.

combination

The Eels have downplayed fitness concerns since Mitch Moses was seen jogging around the stadium with medical staff at half-time.

This led to concerns that he had sustained some damage, but club officials were adamant he was simply trying to build up his legs a bit more, given that he did not play the second half.

Moses and transsexual partner Jonah Pezzett combined well at times for his first proper hit-out and the pair combined to almost set up Bayley Simonson’s stunning try.

Benaiah Ioel is likely to replace Conor Watson at hooker for the Roosters, replacing the injured Reece Robson. He scored tries with his kicks and looked good around the line after a breakout year.

recruitment watch

Tommy Talau outscored Jack Williams’ high shot to win the next set, with the experienced outside-back looking to take Trent Robinson’s No. 19 spot.

Talau is good enough to start in most teams and would be a logical replacement if a player is absent during international duty. He produced a decisive ankle tap, slowing down Will Penisini and denying Billy Smith a certain try by lumping him into touch.

Jack de Belin, who walked out in the blue and gold jersey, was solid, but fellow veteran Dylan Walker played a nice short ball to Matt Dooley, who slotted in to set up Mitch Moses’ try.

Brian Kelly then staged a wonderful one-on-one strip with Mark Nawakanitawase to set up the Eels’ try.

hot take

The Maroons have a pair of All-Star halves in Cameron Munster and Tom Dearden who are fresh off a famous series win.

But coach Billy Slater has shown he is not afraid to make changes after dropping Cherry Evans last year, with Walker firmly in the mix for his Origin debut.

final decision

If everyone stays on the park, Passmark will have to be a provisional final appearance for the Roosters, but Parramatta should aim for a place in the finals as they continue to find a new identity under Lyles.

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