Sandow slips Eels into form

The Parramatta Eels despite a poor completion rate have manage to string points together to down the New Zealand Warriors 40-10 at Parramatta Stadium in front of 13,351 fans.

The 2012 wooden spooners found some form in their season opener thanks to Chris Sandow and their outside backs. Jarryd Hayne was on display as he running saw the Eels' attack fire up.

The Warriors were denied early in the match by the video referee was Todd Lowe drove Thomas Leuluai over the goal line. As a result the Eels awarded a penalty and the red light shown.

Young five-eighth Luke Kelly laid platform for Chris Sandow from acting half to score first points. Sandow danced through the Warriors defence to dive over the whitewash. Chris Sandow easily converted, Eels ahead 6-0 after 17 minutes.

Jarryd Hayne was in full flight as Reni Maitua flew off the tarmac with a powerful line break. Maitua found support in Luke Kelly who then provided a short pass to Hayne to streak away. The Eels on a roll as the lead 12-0 after 27 minutes.

Just before half time, the Eels again opened the Warriors defensive line with a simple running play. Ryan Morgan threw a beautiful inside ball to Matt Ryan who strolled away under the uprights to score.

At half time the Eels returned to form to lead 18-0 over the Warriors.

The Warriors lacked punch in their attacking plays in the first half, however that quickly changed with Pita Godinet injected into the match. Godinet laid the foundation out acting half for Jacob Lillyman to crash over for their first points of the encounter. Shaun Johnson from out wide pushed the kick across the face of goal. 

A talking point for the water-cooler, as Chris Sandow was denied his second try by the video referee as an obstruction ruled against Fuifui Moimoi. The on field referee originally saying no try and the video referee did not have enough evidence to over turn the decision. 

The Warriors were in all sorts as they were unable to contain the Eels attack, however they returned fire with their second try in the 58th minute. Dane Nielsen was a standout perform in a lackluster Warriors side as he bust out of two tackles to run off a great ball from Kevin Locke to score in the corner.  

However, the attack from the Warriors was short lived with the Eels returning serve. The Eels spread the ball across the field to the left corner as Ken Sio dived over and planted it down one-handed. Chris Sandow from the touchline rocketed the conversion between the posts to extend the lead to 22-10 with 18 minutes on the clock. 

Chris Sandow was openly criticised at the end of 2012, however, tonight he returned to form as again he was in the action to set up Jarryd Hayne for two tries in four minutes. The first saw Sandow's speed displayed as the Warriors defence cracked with Sandow charging through to provide Hayne a short pass to race away. 

The second, only four minutes later saw Sandow again break the line to step inside around the fullback to link up with Hayne again who touch down for his hat trick. 

The Eels capped off a great night of try scoring with the final points coming from  Ken Sio as he darted over the goal line thanks to a beautiful grubber off the boot of Ben Roberts. The Eels outfit gelling together as new coach Ricky Stuart guided them to victory in their season opener.  

The Warriors will hope to bounce back from their loss as they face Sydney Roosters, while the Eels will look to repeat the form when they do battle with the Bulldogs.