Scintillating Sandow scolds sorry Sharks

Parramatta have put themselves on the cusp of the top eight after a scintillating attacking display out-pointing the Cronulla Sharks 42-24 in front of 12,541 fans at Parramatta Stadium. 

The Eels have been the story of season 2014 thus far - the wooden spooners of last year after a third of the season are on ten points, only four points adrift of their season tally in 2013. The resurgence has been led by Chris Sandow who finished last year in reserve grade is now on par with Jarryd Hayne in importance for the Parramatta side.

Sandow stamped his authority over the contest with a fourteen point haul that included a try and five conversions. He also produced five try-assists and kicked a 40/20 but quoting statistic misses the main component of Sandow's game tonight, his composure in his kicking game and tackling - at one point he took down a forward with a lovely legs tackle.

This Parramatta side is full of players who are enjoying a renaissance including NSW Blues hopeful Jarryd Hayne who helped to send Semi Radradra in for the opening try - the winger himself scoring his sixteenth try in as many appearances. Hayne will be duking it out with Dragons fullback Dugan for the Blues custodian role.

Cronulla weren't going away quietly though, as it was a carbon copy of the Eels try was reproduced to send Feki across in the corner. They added a slice of luck when Wade Graham flicked a kick up to himself to plant the ball down. The Sharks weathered the early storm to lead 12-4 or so they thought.

Enter Jarryd Hayne. The fullback started and finished a movement that involved Willie Tonga down the left side, as he weaved in and out of the Sharks defense like a cross stitch to put himself on the board. Hayne repeated the long range effort in the second to seal the game for the Eels after he streaked away from an errant Ayshford pass.

Hayne took a backseat to the scintillating Sandow show for most of the first half though - the halfback produced five minutes of magic after it reached the half hour, slicing a kick enough to fool Michael Gordon and plant it down. He followed it up with a 40/20 and a cut-out to Ken Sio to give the Eels a 22-12 lead at oranges.

The attacking show continued well into the second half as the teams traded tries throughout the whole half. William Hopoate had his strong effort in the 50th minute effort cancelled out by a determined run from Paul Gallen to pop up a ball for De Gois to score. 

Sharks had the momentum until once again an errant pass found it's way into Parramatta hands, as Willie Tonga turned back the clock to his first stint with the Eels in his runaway effort. It took a well worked effort from Robson and Gordon to send the latter across to reduce it to ten point deficit outstanding from half-time.

Sandow finished off his night with one final try-assist. He was rocketed through a hole from a Joseph Paulo pass to be wrapped up by Beau Ryan ten from the line. Later in the set, he produced a cross-field kick to give Sio his double and see ya later for the Sharks. 

Cronulla will reclaim the unwanted wooden spoon position on the NRL ladder atfter their 42-24 loss to Parramatta with injury concerns hanging over representative forward Andrew Fifita. 

Parramatta meanwhile host St George Illawarra Saturday afternoon in a contest that will see if St George can recover from the thrashing they were dealt by Canterbury.

PARRAMATTA EELS (42)
Tries: Semi Radradra, Chris Sandow, Jarryd Hayne (2), Ken Sio (2), William Hopoate, Willie Tonga
Conversions: Chris Sandow (5/7)

CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS (24)
Tries: Sosaia Feki, Michael Gordon, Wade Graham, Isaac De Gois
Conversions: Michael Gordon (4/4)

TEAM CHANGES:

PAR: A few cosmetic changes for the Eels. David Gower and Peni Terepo will start for the home side. Pauli Pauli and Joseph Paulo head back to the bench.

CRO: Bryce Gibbs drops out for the Sharks. He is replaced by Siosaia Vave in the starting side with David Fifita coming onto the bench.

Welcome to a warm Parramatta Stadium for tonight's clash between Parramatta and Cronulla in which the two sides will be vying for the John Mannah Cup. Parramatta will be glad to be home after their last outing which was a thrashing against North Queensland but the Eels have thrived at home, unbeaten at Pirtek Stadium this season. Cronulla had a much needed win against Penrith in their last game at the cost of star five-eighth Todd Carney meaning Luke Lewis recently returned will fill in.

We have a minute's applause for the late John Mannah followed by a silence for immortal Reg Gasnier.

1: Well done by all concerned. Now we head into the action - Sandow kicks off and here we go!

1: UNFORCED ERROR CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Jeff Robson makes an unforced error.
A mistake off the kick-off.. Jeff Robson went too far forward in catching the ball and slipped it. Dropout incoming.

3: Sharks with some swarming defense, keeping Willie Tonga upright and throwing him into touch.

3: Sharks just can't handle the ball currently - Wade Graham knocking on now as Sandow scoops it up.

5: TRY PARRAMATTA EELS
Scored by Semi Radradra. Kick to come.
It was simple strength and power from the Eels for their first try. Jarryd Hayne with a cut-out to Radradra into space and he just pushed through Beau Ryan to score.

5: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PARRAMATTA EELS
Conversion attempt by Chris Sandow unsuccessful.
Chris Sandow from the sideline, hooks it wide.

7: Eels just looking dangerous on every play currently. Sandow launches a bomb that Hayne almost gets to but he knocked it forward.

8: UNFORCED ERROR PARRAMATTA EELS
Corey Norman makes an unforced error.
Corey Norman was thinking too quick for his hands, knocking it on.

10: TRY CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Scored by Sosaia Feki. Kick to come.
Cronulla used mirror move - it was successful! Once again, a fullback swept around Gordon this time as he threw a nice cut-out to Feki which narrowly missed the defender but Feki hauled it in and despite the attention of Hayne got it down.

11: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Conversion attempt by Michael Gordon successful.
Michael Gordon from a similar position to Sandow puts it right down the middle.

15: First PENALTY of the evening - it goes to the Sharks from the contentious stripping rule but dear oh dear, Jeff Robson doesn't find touch!

17: SIX AGAIN for the Sharks as the ball rebounded off an Eels head.

17: PENALTY Cronulla - Corey Norman was offside.

19: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Conversion attempt by Michael Gordon successful.
A much easier assignment for Gordon who makes it 2/2 tonight.

18: TRY CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Scored by Wade Graham. Kick to come.
Fortunate but they count all the same! Jeff Robson plays the perfect through ball for Wade Graham who flicks it up as he runs through himself to pick up the spoils. Manchester City eat your heart out.

22: TRY PARRAMATTA EELS
Scored by Jarryd Hayne. Kick to come.
Hayne started the move finding space for Tonga who went into space, gave it back to Hayne who weaves in and out more than a McDonalds WiFi to plant the ball down right besides the posts.

22: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PARRAMATTA EELS
Conversion attempt by Chris Sandow successful.
Chris Sandow besides the posts, adds the two.

25: UNFORCED ERROR CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Michael Gordon makes an unforced error.
That was a towering bomb from Sandow that swirled round and round before it dropped right through Gordon's hands.

26: SIX MORE for the Eels as they pile on the pressure.. it was knocked down from a Shark.

27: UNFORCED ERROR CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
John Morris makes an unforced error.
Peats tries the crash ball from dummy-half but John Morris intervenes to knock it down.

28: VIDEO REFEREE: Upstairs we go for the first time tonight: William Hopoate used his strength to burrow through, checking grounding.

28: RED LIGHTS..NO TRY! Referee had a zillion looks at it and called it held up.. it looked like the ball was down there.

29: TRY PARRAMATTA EELS
Scored by Chris Sandow. Kick to come.
Dynamo the magician would be proud of that trickery from Sandow. He feigned to go for the cross-field kick before chipping it over, taking a wicked bounce over Gordon and right into the on-rushing Sandow's hands.

30: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PARRAMATTA EELS
Conversion attempt by Chris Sandow successful.
Sandow walks in to convert his own try and promptly does so.

31: In an afternoon of forgettable news for NSW Blues fans - Andrew Fifita is in the dressing rooms with ice on his ankle and crutches. He will not return tonight.

32: 40/20 PARRAMATTA EELS
Chris Sandow kicks a 40/20.
Chris Sandow can do it all tonight! He boots a lovely 40/20 as Will Hopoate sprints up to take the tap before being scolded by the referee for not being on the mark.

33: TRY PARRAMATTA EELS
Scored by Ken Sio. Kick to come.
Momentum has swung right into the Eels favour. Sandow once again was involved, throwing the cut-out to Ken Sio who just had to step inside and plant the ball down.

34: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PARRAMATTA EELS
Conversion attempt by Chris Sandow successful.
The man of the moment Chris Sandow brings some calm here, taking this conversion. He shaved it just inside the left post.

35: NSW fans look away.. Paul Gallen is down now after some heavy contact with Lussick.

36: Sandow is wrecking havoc with these towering bombs. Beau Ryan was in the firing line this time letting it bounce and thankfully Radradra who captured it, was wrapped up.

37: It's the electrifying Eels tonight! They shifted it like lightning through the hands, Sio though was in front of the passer.

37: Sharks now try to put it through the hands but it goes forward.

39: UNFORCED ERROR CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Beau Ryan makes an unforced error.
Hayne tries to find Radradra in space but Beau Ryan eyed open space tried to intercept it, knocking it down in gathering it in.

40: Eels tried to get Hopoate one on one with his opposite number but he got tossed over the sideline.

40: UNFORCED ERROR CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Paul Gallen makes an unforced error.
Just to punctuate how dire the Sharks have been, Gallen knocks on with the last touch in the half.

40: We're back for the second half.. Sharks lined up for the kick-off. Here we go!

43: UNFORCED ERROR PARRAMATTA EELS
Chris Sandow makes an unforced error.
Nathan Peats throws a bullet ball to Sandow which was knocked on.

44: Wade Graham puts Sosaia Feki in some space but the winger is wrapped up and taken over the sideline.

46: UNFORCED ERROR CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Ricky Leutele makes an unforced error.
Sharks try to shift it left again but it doesn't get past Leutele who spills it.

47: Chris Sandow has it on a string tonight.. he took it to the line and stabbed it through for Feki to be trapped in goal.

48: PENALTY Eels - strip penalty.

48: VIDEO REFEREE: Upstairs for a Hopoate TRY again.. this looks simpler though.

50: TRY PARRAMATTA EELS
Scored by William Hopoate. Kick to come.
The Sharks backline will be having nightmares of this sweeping play after tonight. The Eels halves got Hopoate into space and he was just too strong for Leutele and crashed over.

50: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PARRAMATTA EELS
Conversion attempt by Chris Sandow successful.
From the sideline, Sandow hooks it in!

54: VIDEO REFEREE: Wade Graham has slid in after a nice offload. Checking grounding.

54: RED LIGHTS..NO TRY! Wade Graham lost it JUST as he was over the stripe. It was a lovely falling offload from Robson that goes to waste.

56: UNFORCED ERROR PARRAMATTA EELS
Jarryd Hayne makes an unforced error.
Hayne tried to create the overlap down the short side but drops the penultimate pass.

56: SIX MORE for the Sharks who get some field position after a Ma'u dropped ball.

57: TRY CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Scored by Isaac De Gois. Kick to come.
That was some inspirational running from Gallen, no one was stopping him there.. he popped a hail mary up and De Gois answered his prayer for the try.

58: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Conversion attempt by Michael Gordon successful.
Gordon puts it through to reduce the margin to ten.

63: TRY PARRAMATTA EELS
Scored by Willie Tonga. Kick to come.
Sharks look to produce the numbers down the right again.. Norman looking Leutele but he only found Tonga who out-paced both Robson and Gallen to the line.

65: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PARRAMATTA EELS
Conversion attempt by Chris Sandow successful.
Sandow after missing his opening kick puts a wonky one through the sticks.

65: Manu Ma'u is slammed down hard and is struggling to regain his faculties. After some consultation, it is a PENALTY against Tupou who is also placed ON REPORT.

67: PENALTY Sharks - offside.

68: TRY CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Scored by Michael Gordon. Kick to come.
A well rehearsed move for the Sharks and it worked well - Robson feigned outside, went inside to Gordon who strides in.

68: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Conversion attempt by Michael Gordon successful.
Gordon quickly converts to cut it back down to ten.

72: TRY PARRAMATTA EELS
Scored by Ken Sio. Kick to come.
Goodnight Cronulla! Joseph Paulo with a nice ball to cannonball Chris Sandow through a hole, he's wrapped up by Beau Ryan. On last, Sandow chips it to Hopoate who hands it off to Sio for the four pointer.

75: Sandow with a cross-field kick to the other side this time, was knocked dead by Feki.

75: UNFORCED ERROR PARRAMATTA EELS
Joseph Paulo makes an unforced error.
It was knocked on from the wonky drop-out.

77: TRY PARRAMATTA EELS
Scored by Jarryd Hayne. Kick to come.
Blake Ayshford finally got some space and his pass found dirt, knocked on by Tupou allowing Hayne to scoop it up, stroll down the sideline and point to someone in the crowd before scoring.

79: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PARRAMATTA EELS
Conversion attempt by Chris Sandow unsuccessful.
Sandow wanting to add a party piece to his collection tonight with a hooking conversion but it is wide.

80: SIN BIN
Jarryd Hayne is sent to the sin bin.
In the world of frivolous sin-bins that is right up there. Eels held down on waste time and conceded a PENALTY. Hayne was in the road not allowing play to continue so he has an early shower.

80: FULL-TIME! In the end it was a comfortable win for the Eels who put on an attacking showpiece tonight.