Penrith Panthers beat Parramatta Eels 17-10 in NRL round 18 A much improved performance from the Parramatta Eels wasn't enough to avoid slumping to a seventh consecutive loss - going down 17-10 to Penrith. PENRITH 17 bt PARRAMATTA 10 at Parramatta Stadium. PENRITH survived a scare Saturday night to claw their way back into the top eight, fending off a desperate challenge from the Eels to avoid a shock loss to the last placed side. Facing a team in the midst of a crisis and without stars Jarryd Hayne and Chris Sandow, the Panthers found themselves in an unexpected arm wrestle with the match only sealed in the dying stages when Luke Walsh belted over a field goal to secure a 17-10 win. David Simmons bagged a double for the Panthers with his final try proving the difference as Penrith were able to repel a last-ditch attack from the fired up Eels. Following a trouncing at Brookvale, it was a much improved effort from the Eels who ultimately did not have the firepower to cause an upset. Following a week of controversy with their $500,000-a-year halfback Chris Sandow dumped after a heavy loss to Manly, the Eels began with a mistake and narrowly avoided conceding points in the second minute when Brad Tighe crashed over only to be held up. They survived the first onslaught but were quickly put under pressure again when Walsh nailed a 40-20 to put the Panthers on the attack. Penrith coach Ivan Cleary says it was a 'good, tough win'. On the first play of the fresh set, Dean Whare stood up Willie Tonga to find Simmons, who dived over in the corner to make it 6-0 following Walsh's conversion in the 7th minute. The Panthers threatened to extend the lead when debutant Parramatta winger Semi Radradra made an error in the play the ball. Deep on the attack, Walsh looked for James Roberts with a cross-field kick into the in goal but was was unable to find his mark. The Eels continued their struggle with errors and penalties ruining their attempts to get back into the contest. With a penalty putting them within striking range, the Panthers opened the Eels up in the 24th minute when Kevin Kingston stepped through four defenders to score the second try of the night. The Eels' attempts to tackle the hooker were pathetic and the soft try sent them 12-0 down with Walsh nailing the conversion. Ben Roberts provided the first sign of hope for the Eels when he gave Radradra a shot at points with a neat grubber kick. The Fijian was unable to beat Simmons to the ball but he helped earn a repeat set for his side by forcing the winger in goal. The Eels finally executed a play in the 32nd minute and Brayden Willame crashed over on the wing following a shift to put the Eels back into the game at 12-4. The Eels got another chance minutes later following a rare penalty and only desperate Panthers defence denied them more points. Willie Tonga went close first before Kingston was forced to scoop the ball dead to deny Radradra. Another mistake ended their raid following the drop out but Luke Kelly intercepted a Walsh pass before running 60m to make it 12-10 at half-time. Lewis Brown from the Panthers and Reni Maitua of the Eels share their thoughts post-match. A Panthers mistake put the Eels on the attack as the game resumed with James Roberts dropping the ball to gift Parramatta possession just 15m out. The Eels went for the long shift immediately and were only denied the lead with Roberts making up for his mistake with a bone-jarring try-saver on Williame. The Panthers survived and forced a mistake from Ben Roberts moments later to go on the attack. And once again Luke Walsh proved his mastery with the boot, launching a cross-field kick that Simmons plucked from the air to land his second try of the night and make the score 16-10 in the 50th minute. The see-sawing match continued with the Eels threatening to bridge the gap with Williame again going close. The winger was again denied and the Panthers rolled their way out of trouble. PENRITH 17 (D Simmons 2 K Kingston tries L Walsh 2 goals L Walsh field goal) PENRITH 17 (D Simmons 2 K Kingston tries L Walsh 2 goals L Walsh field goal) bt PARRAMATTA 10 (L Kelly B Wiliame tries J Mullaney goal) at Parramatta Stadium. (L Kelly B Wiliame tries J Mullaney goal) at Parramatta Stadium.