Eels prevail
against disappointing Warriors

Round 2
Parramatta Eels 22 def. New Zealand Warriors 14

Match summary:

The Parramatta Eels have run out 22-14 winners over the New Zealand Warriors at Waikato Stadium this evening.

The Eels took the lead early and never relinquished it as the Warriors fought in vain to get back into the match but it was never going to be.

Nathan Hindmarsh had a mighty game for the Eels with two tries and over 40 tackles while for the Warriors Steve Price and Nathan Fien tried hard but they are lacking the class of Stacey Jones to steer them around the park in tight situations.

Hindmarsh was well supported by Tim Smith and Wade McKinnon with both players having a good game directing the Eels around the park.

With the Warriors already on ?4 points, back to back losses makes it a very hard road ahead and no doubt deflating for their fans when you consider we are only halfway through round two and they are potentially eight points off the competition lead.

Warriors coach Ivan Cleary has a lot on his plate if he is going to turn around the listing ship that is the Warriors in his maiden season as a first grade coach in the NRL.

The Eels looked a lot sharper than what they did against the Knights and when you consider they lost Timana Tahu and Eric Grothe to injuries hours before kickoff, the Eels did well to come away with the two points in the home away from home match. However, the Eels will not be getting carried away with tonight?s performance as any team can beat the other if you don?t turn up ready to play.

Scorers:

Parramatta Eels: 22
Tries: Nathan Hindmarsh(2), Ben Smith , Dean Widders
Goals: Luke Burt 3/4
New Zealand Warriors: 14
Tries: Evarn Tuimavave, Manu Vatuvei
Goals: Tony Martin 3/3

Waikato Stadium NZ
Crowd: 16,089
Referee: Sean Hampstead

Live Commentary:
1 min: NEWS We are underway at Waikato Stadium this evening!

4 min: TRY Parramatta Eels
Ben Smith crosses out wide in the 4th minute and it was all too easy after some sustained pressure in the Warriors half. Conversion unsuccessful.
Eels 4-0

10 min: PENALTY GOAL New Zealand Warriors
Tony Martin gets the Warriors on the board after P J Marsh gave away a penalty for the Eels.
Eels 4-2

13 min: NEWS Possible try to Luke Burt denied by the video ref as Burt looks to have knocked on over the line.

20 min: NEWS Video ref rules no try to the Warriors after Matt Petersen from the Eels grounded the ball on his own line then lost the ball. From the ensuing goal line drop out, the Eels went shallow and recovered the ball and proceeded 40 metres up field with ease.

21 min: TRY Parramatta Eels
Nathan Hindmarh surges onto a superb cutout pass from Tim Smith to cross the line without being touched. This all came about from the short goal line drop out from the Eels at the other end. Conversion successful
Eels 10-2

26 min: TRY New Zealand Warriors
Strange try to the Warriors with the ball coming off Steve Price's shoulder as he backed into the tackle, propelling the ball forward, but not off his hands with Tuimavave there to dive on the loose ball. Conversion successful.
Eels 10-8

40 min: NEWS The Warriors had the Eels on the rack for the latter stages of the first half but couldn't get across the line to take the lead. The game is starting to open up and we shoudl be in for an expansive second half based on the last ten minutes of the first half.

41 min: NEWS We are underway in the second half!

48 min: NEWS No change in the score as both teams look to break the shackles and blow the game wide open. A real arm wrestle in the opening ten minutes of the second half.

55 min: TRY Parramatta Eels
Hindy crosses for try number two as the Eels take control of the match midway through the second half. Conversion successful.
Eels 16-8

63 min: NEWS Mark Riddell throws a forward pass from dummy half deep inside his own half to give the Warriors possession and a chance to get back into the match.

64 min: TRY New Zealand Warriors
Nathan Fien hoists the ball high and Vatuvei comes down with the ball and charges over to get the Warriors back into the match. Conversion successful.
Eels 16-14

69 min: TRY Parramatta Eels
The Magic Pudding (Dean Widders) scores off his own grubber kick to extend the Eels lead as we enter the closing stages of a forgettable match for both sides. Conversion successful.
Eels 22-14

80 min: NEWS Full time: The Eels have run out winners over the Warriors in a flat game of footy where neither side rose to any great heights. Things get all the more difficult for the Warriors with two losses to start the season when you consider they are already on -4 points.
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Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 - Nathan Hindmarsh (Eels)
2 - Wade Mckinnon (Eels)
1 - Nathan Fien (Warriors)
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