Sandow returns in solid Eels side

The Parramatta Eels have recorded their second victory of the 2014 NRL season with a solid performance defeating the Penrith Panthers 32-16 at Pirtek Stadium.

Chris Sandow made his presence known throughout the match as he returned in the Blue and Gold for the first time since Round 17, 2013.

Willie Tonga turned the match in favour of the home side after 15 minutes. He bolted 95 metres downfield taking an intercept pass as Dean Whare shifted to the right hoping to link with Dave Simmons. Chris Sandow back in the NRL side with the kicking duties, Eels 6-0.

Isaac John closed the gap 8 minutes later as he streamed into a yawning gap of the Eels defence. Matt Moylan providing the running game and short pass to set up the Panthers' first points. Mid-way through the first half, the game locked at 6-all

Nathan Peats racked up a true hookers true as he stole a four-pointer from acting half as he snuck over the try line next to the uprights. Parramatta jumped to 12-6 after 27 minutes.

After a run of penalties the momentum swung back in favour of the Panthers heading into half time. Lewis Brown in similar fashion to Nathan Peats dived over from dummy half to post the Panthers second try.

Parramatta went into the break leaders, 12-10 over the Panthers.

The Penrith Panthers fired quickly in the first half but it was their only points posted in the second half. Dean Whare hit and spin his way over the white wash two minutes after the break as Matt Moylan crafted the play. Panthers led, 14-12.

The Eels went on to score 20 unanswered points which started with Manu Ma’u crossing the try line for his first NRL try. A great power run saw him dive under three Penrith defenders. Parramatta took the lead after 46 minutes, 18-16.

The man they call the Semi-trailer, Semi Radradra lived up to his name. He trucked down the western sideline as Jarryd Hayne provided the foundation for Semi to shift a gear. Parramatta brilliant in attack leading 22-16.

Man of the Match, Jarryd Hayne was rewarded for his efforts as he burrowed his way under the defence on the goal line to steal a try from acting half. Parramatta headed into the final period of play ahead 28-16.

Ken Sio finished off the Eels solid performance as he had the fans dancing in stands. Sio darted over in the eastern corner as Hayne skipped away from the Panthers defence to link with Hopoate to set up the try.

Parramatta have a good record at home, all their wins in 2013 were racked up in their heartland. The Eels knocked over the Panthers, 32-16 for their second win of 2014.

Next week is Heritage Round and the Eels head north to battle Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium. Meanwhile the Panthers return to Penrith as they host the Canberra Raiders

Match Details
Parramatta Eels 32 Penrith Panthers 16
Venue: Pirtek Stadium
Crowd: 14,448
Halftime Score: Parramatta Eels 12 Penrith Panthers 10

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:
3 points - Jarryd Hayne
2 points - Nathan Peats
1 point - Chris Sandow

PARRAMATTA EELS (32)
Tries: Willie Tonga, Nathan Peats, Manu Ma'u, Semi Radradra, Jarryd Hayne, Ken Sio
Field Goals:
Conversions: Chris Sandow (4/6)
Penalty Goals:

PENRITH PANTHERS (16)
Tries: Isaac John, Lewis Brown, Dean Whare
Field Goals:
Conversions: Matt Moylan (2/3)
Penalty Goals:

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary

TEAM NEWS: Eels - Pauli Pauli comes into the side to make his NRL debut off the bench in jersey 18. Kelepi Tanginoa is out for the Eels

TEAM NEWS: Panthers - Isaac John comes into the side at halfback with Peter Wallace ruled out. A change on the bench for Penrith, Sika Manu replaces Tim Grant in jersey 23

Welcome to the second Super Saturday fixture from Parramatta as the Eels host the Penrith Panthers at Pirtek Stadium in the battle of the west.

Eyes will be on Chris Sandow as he returns into the NRL side this evening. Penrith are favourites into this contest but the Eels not out of the race as they when toe to toe with the Sea Eagles last weekend.

We are UNDERWAY at Pirtek Stadium as the Parramatta Eels kick off through Chris Sandow, Penrith Panthers get first possession

2: First penalty of the match goes to Penrith as the Eels were ruled offside from the last tackle kick from Chris Sandow. Panthers march up to 10 metres short of halfway

3: Chris Sandow completes the set for the Eels, Kevin Naiqama going very close to the sideline but the Panthers have their set deep in their own set

4: Kick from Jamie Soward is placed long downfield, put it behind Semi Radradra and bounces dead. 20 metre tap for the Eels

5: Penalty to the Eels as the Panthers crowd the ruck. Eels through Tim Mannah take the ball over the 30 metre line marching towards the Panthers try line.

6: UNFORCED ERROR PARRAMATTA EELS
Joseph Paulo makes an unforced error.
Joseph Paulo unable to link with Ma'u as he ran the run around play with his lock. The ball ends up in the hands of Jamal Idris

7: Ken Sio takes the cross field kick in goal comfortably and earns a 20 metre tap for Parramatta

8: William Hopoate looking to get a pass away to Semi Radradra as Hayne provided the foundation, but it was intercepted by Dave Simmons. Panthers with possession just short of halfway

9: UNFORCED ERROR PARRAMATTA EELS
Manu Ma'u makes an unforced error.
Manu Ma'u makes a meal of the play of the ball and fumbles it trying to play it quickly. Scrum packs for Penrith inside the Eels half

11: The sigh comes from the crowd, Kevin Naiqama reached out for a floating cross field kick from Jamie Soward but it's just too long. Scrum feed packs for the Eels 10 metres off their own try line.

12: Penalty to the Panthers as the Eels hold up the ruck and allow the play of the ball. Soward kicks for touch and Penrith start their set on halfway

13: Back to back penalties to the Panthers with Ken Edwards caught offside, inside the 10 minutes. Panthers take the quick tap and attack 20 metres out from the Eels try line.

14: TRY PARRAMATTA EELS
Scored by Willie Tonga. Kick to come.
Willie Tonga steals a pass from the Panthers as they shifted to the right. He takes the pass and bolts 95 metres downfield to score untouched. A true try against the run of play

16: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PARRAMATTA EELS
Conversion attempt by Chris Sandow successful.
Chris Sandow with the conversion attempt from next to the uprights is successful to extend the lead for the Eels

18: Jarryd Hayne rockets a kick on the last tackle as he was rushed to make a decision by Nigel Plum. Penrith pack a scrum 30 metres from their own try line.

18: Penalty to the Panthers, Joseph Paulo caught with his hand on the ball in the ruck. Count at 4-1 in favour of the Panthers. Soward finds the sideline and the Panthers attack 35 metres out from the Eels goal line.

19: Another penalty to the Panthers, Eels caught inside the 10 metres. Soward takes the quick tap to attack 10 metres out

21: William Hopoate ruled to have knocked on in goal as he jumped to take the cross field kick from Soward. Naiqama lept up high looking for the caught, but luckily for the Panthers they earn a line drop out

22: TRY PENRITH PANTHERS
Scored by Isaac John. Kick to come.
Isaac John has streamed into a massive hole of the Eels defence and the speed from the halfback has shocked the Eels as the Panthers crack for first points.

22: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PENRITH PANTHERS
Conversion attempt by Matt Moylan successful.
Matt Moylan with the conversion from next to the right uprights slots the goal to lock the game up

25: Jamie Soward aimed for a 40/20 but Jarryd Hayne dropped back to cover the ball. Eels with possession 20 metres short of halfway

26: Eels get their second penalty of the first half as Elijah Taylor was caught inside the 10 metres. Chris Sandow finds the sideline to give the Eels a shot at the Panthers goal line 20 metres out

26: TRY PARRAMATTA EELS
Scored by Nathan Peats. Kick to come.
Nathan Peats with a sneaky dive from acting half steals the Eels second try. Beautiful little play from the hooker.

27: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PARRAMATTA EELS
Conversion attempt by Chris Sandow successful.
Chris Sandow with a simple attempt from beside the posts nails the goal to extend the lead for the Eels

29: Mitch Allgood draws a penalty as Jeremy Latimore was penalised for lacking in the ruck. However, the kick for touch was almost knocked back in play by the Panthers. Eels go on the attack 15 metres out from the try line as they look for try number three.

30: Jarryd Hayne opts for a grubber kick to the ingoal area on the last tackle, Matt Moylan watches the ball roll dead. He races up to the 20 metre line for a quick tap.

31: Semi Radradra comes up with a try saver as Dave Simmons bolted down the sideline looking for space to score the Panthers second try. Eels with a scrum feed 20 metres off their own line.

34: VIDEO REFEREE for the Eels as Parramatta have gone 40 metres down field and 60 metres across field to score in the corner. Looking at whether Mitchell Allgood was offside as the Eels kicked.

34: Will Hopoate is denied points for the Eels as the kick from Jarryd Hayne saw Peni Terepo and Mitchell Allgood caught offside. Despite the offside, it was a great piece of play as the Eels kept the ball alive to spread 65 metres across field. Panthers earn the penalty as a result of the offside.

34: Lewis Brown shifting an inside pass from Jamie Soward to Isaac John but it's ruled forward. Eels let off as they pack a scrum 10 metres off their own try line.

37: Penalty awarded to the Eels as the Panthers were caught offside. Kick for touch marches them up just shy of the half way line

38: Penalty to the Eels as Tonga pulled Dean Whare back to ground after the held call. Panthers attack 20 metres out from the Eels try line.

38: Adam Docker has sailed into a hole, the crowd screaming for a forward pass. Lucky for them he was held up over the try line.

39: TRY PENRITH PANTHERS
Scored by Lewis Brown. Kick to come.
Lewis Brown has dummied across the ruck and dived back next to Jamal Idris and a simple four-pointer from acting half gives the Panthers a chance to lock it up before half time.

40: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PENRITH PANTHERS
Conversion attempt by Matt Moylan unsuccessful.
Matt Moylan with the conversion attempt from out wide of the posts fails with the goal to lock the scores after 40 minutes.

40: HALF TIME at Pirtek Stadium sees the Parramatta Eels hold a two point lead over the Penrith Panthers, 12-10.

40: Second half is UNDERWAY as Matt Moylan kicks off for the Panthers

42: Panthers earn a penalty as the Eels crowded the ruck. They attack just 10 metres out

42: TRY PENRITH PANTHERS
Scored by Dean Whare. Kick to come.
Dean Whare hits and spins through the Eels defence as the Panthers spread to the left off the field. Matt Moylan with a great pass to Whare who dummied his way over the line.

44: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PENRITH PANTHERS
Conversion attempt by Matt Moylan successful.
Matt Moylan from the western side of Pirtek Stadium is successful with the conversion attempt.

45: UNFORCED ERROR PENRITH PANTHERS
Adam Docker makes an unforced error.
Adam Docker getting up to play the ball as come up with a mistake in the ruck. Eels with a scrum 10 metres out from the Panthers goal line.

46: VIDEO REFEREE for the Eels, Manu Ma'u has taken on three Panthers defenders to dive over. Looking at grounding as the referees say TRY

46: TRY PARRAMATTA EELS
Scored by Manu Ma'u. Kick to come.
Manu Ma'u gets his try awarded as he dived under the defence of three Panthers on the goal line. Brilliant charge from the second rower to give the Eels their 3rd try

48: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PARRAMATTA EELS
Conversion attempt by Chris Sandow successful.
Chris Sandow slots the conversion attempt to make the lead 2 points again

49: Matt Moylan watches the kick from the Eels roll dead, he returns the ball back to the 20 metre line for a tap restart

50: UNFORCED ERROR PENRITH PANTHERS
Sika Manu makes an unforced error.
Sika Manu unable to handle the offload from Dave Simmons as he leapt up for the catch of the kick to the corner from Dean Whare. Eels with possession 10 metres off their own try line.

51: UNFORCED ERROR PENRITH PANTHERS
Isaac John makes an unforced error.
Isaac John jumping for the bounce of the ball under the posts has fumbled the ball. Parramatta chant echos around the ground as the Eels pack a scrum feed 10 metres out from the Panthers try line.

52: ZERO TACKLE for the Eels as the Panthers tried to take an intercept through Naiqama.

53: Semi Radradra is forced over the sideline by a mass of Panthers defenders as he took an offload from Tonga who took the basketball pass from Pauli Pauli. Scrum for Penrith 10 metres out from their own line.

55: Time off here as Jeremy Latimore has been high hard in a tackle. He was wobbly on his feet as he took a head knock.

56: Penalty to the Eels for a strip in the ruck following a long run from Sandow. Eels take a quick tap 20 metres out from the Panthers try line.

57: Time off here with Ken Edwards down with the trainer. Concern for him with a injury to his leg

56: TRY PARRAMATTA EELS
Scored by Semi Radradra. Kick to come.
Semi Radradra powers over in the corner as he took a short pass from Jarryd Hayne on the short pass. Brilliant play from the Eels to extend their lead

58: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PARRAMATTA EELS
Conversion attempt by Chris Sandow unsuccessful.
Chris Sandow with the conversion from the western sideline curves the kick away from the uprights.

59: UNFORCED ERROR PARRAMATTA EELS
Semi Radradra makes an unforced error.
Semi Radradra ruled to have knocked on as flew through off a kick. Change over for the Panthers 10 metres off their own line.

62: Corey Norman ruled to have lost possession as he stripped it out of the hands of Sika Manu. Panthers attack 25 metres out through a scrum feed.

64: Kevin Naiqama looking to score in the corner for the Panthers off a short pass from Jamal Idris, but he slipped over at the end. Change over for the Eels as it was last tackle.

65: Jarryd Hayne stabs a kick downfield and Matt Moylan watches it roll dead. Scrum for Penrith 20 metres off their own try line.

67: Penalty awarded to the Eels for offside. Panthers on the back foot here as the Eels roll to 20 metres out

68: TRY PARRAMATTA EELS
Scored by Jarryd Hayne. Kick to come.
Jarryd Hayne sneaks under the defence on the goal line and steals a four-pointer. Brilliant play from the fullback

69: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PARRAMATTA EELS
Conversion attempt by Chris Sandow successful.
Chris Sandow with the conversion attempt slots the extras to extend this lead for the Eels

72: UNFORCED ERROR PENRITH PANTHERS
Kevin Kingston makes an unforced error.
Kevin Kingston fails to take the bullet short pass from James Segeyaro as he made a line break. Eels with a change over deep in their own half

73: Kick from Chris Sandow bounces over the sideline to end the Eels set, Panthers pack a set 10 metres off their own goal line.

73: Jeremy Latimore has the ball forced out in the tackle of Mitch Allgood. Eels with a chance to put the blowtorch on the Panthers with a scrum 25 metre sout

74: TRY PARRAMATTA EELS
Scored by Ken Sio. Kick to come.
Ken Sio bolts down the eastern sideline to the delight of the Eels fans, Hayne skips away from John who links with Hopoate and then Sio. Eels with brilliant hands to score in the corner.

75: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PARRAMATTA EELS
Conversion attempt by Chris Sandow unsuccessful.
Chris Sandow with the conversion attempt from the eastern side of Pirtek Stadium is unsuccessful has he pushes it across the face of goal

75: UNFORCED ERROR PENRITH PANTHERS
Matt Moylan makes an unforced error.
Matt Moylan fumbles the ball on the ground as he tried to clean up the remains of the chip kick from Chris Sandow. Scrum for Parramatta 30 metres from the Panthers try line.

78: UNFORCED ERROR PENRITH PANTHERS
Kevin Naiqama makes an unforced error.
Kevin Naiqama almost coming up with an intercept as the Eels spread, but he knocks on. ZERO TACKLE for the Eels 20 metres out

79: Willie Tonga flying into the corner off a brilliant grubber from Norman, but it's just too fast for him. 20 metre tap for Panthers

80: FULL TIME in Parramatta sees the Eels knock off the Panthers in a solid performance, 32-16