Warriors find form

The New Zealand Warriors have come to life in a rare occasion for their season with a 20-10 win over the Parramatta Eels at Ericsson Stadium.

It was a one-sided first half and it was Jerome Ropati that started off the scoring for the Warriors when he sliced through the Eels defence for a soft try.

Toopi followed up 5 minutes later and Jones scored in an amazing 70 metre intercept try to give the Warriors an 18-0 lead at halftime.

As the heavens opened up at the start of the second half it was the Eels, with a strong breeze behind them that managed to score first through Englishman Chris Thorman.

Another try to Parramatta through Matt Peterson late in the match kept their hopes of winning alive but ultimately the Warriors held out for a well earned victory.

Ericsson Stadium Crowd 6391 Referee: Stephen Clark Video Referee: Graeme West Touch Judges: Brendan Wood, Jeff Younis

Scorers: WARRIORS 20 Tries: Ropati, Toopi, Jones Goals: Martin 4/5 defeated EELS 10 Tries: Thorman, Peterson Goals: Witt 1/2

By the clock: 0 min: Kick-off!

1st min: NEWS - A great start from the Eels regaining the ball from the kick-off and instantly going on attack.

5th min: NEWS - The Eels have now had two attacking chances in the Warriors danger zone but have let themselves down both times with poor last tackle options.

10th min: NEWS - The Warriors are starting to make some in-roads with Villasanti in particular making a big run of 40 odd metres.

12th min: TRY - Warriors. With momentum on their side the Warriors spread the ball wide and Jerome Ropati caught out the compressed Eels defence, slicing through for a soft try. Tony Martin fails to convert - Warriors 4-0.

13th min: NEWS - Rain is starting to come down reasonably heavily now which will make it even harder for the players on the top of an already greasy pitch.

15th min: PENALTY GOAL - On the back of another penalty Tony Martin slotted two points from 30 metres out in front - Warriors 6-0.

17th min: TRY - Warriors. Stacey Jones ran to the line creating space on the outside Lauaki with the play being finished off on the inside with Clinton Toopi. Martin converts - Warriors 12-0.

20th min: NEWS - The Brian Smith coached Eels, always one for games have been using the tactic of short kick-offs for all of their restarts tonight. So far it has only proved successful once.

25th min: NEWS - Jerome Ropati has pulled off one of the biggest hits of the year on Matt Peterson, driving the big haired winger backwards into the turf.

27th min: NEWS - The Eels have been denied a try by the video referee after Matt Peterson made a great spinning move but couldn't ground the ball.

32nd min: NEWS - Parramatta have bombed their best opportunity to score a try of the half. Michael Witt made a great slicing break but Ashley Graham dropped the final pass.

36th min: TRY - Warriors. Stacey Jones crept up in the defensive line and made a great intercept to sprint 70 metres to score. Martin converts - Warriors 18-0.

38th min: NEWS - Vinnie Anderson has had a tough call taking an intercept and running 50 metres to the try line before learning he'd been called back for being offside.

40th min: HALF TIME - The Warriors have dominated the entire first half with the Eels not looking like scoring at any stage. It's going to be tough work for Parramatta in the second half if they're to work their way back into the match. Half Time score - Warriors 18 Eels 0.

HALF TIME STATS Penalties: Warriors 5 Eels 7 Completions: Warriors 18/20 Eels 15/22 Hitups: Warriors 75 Eels 95 Tackles: Warriors 141 Eels 137 Mistackles: Warriors 12 Eels 9 Errors: Warriors 3 Eels 7

41st min: The second half is underway!

44th min: NEWS - The Eels have had a couple of early attacking sets on the Warriors line but as in the first half, have not yet looked like scoring.

49th min: NEWS - Rain in continuing to sweep across the ground but it hasn't affected either sides attitude with both throwing the ball around.

52nd min: TRY - Eels. Englishman Chris Thorman spun out of a tackle and ran to the line for a very soft try. Michael Witt converts from the sideline - Warriors 18-6.

57th min: PENALTY GOAL - After a couple of penalties in a row the Warriors decided to kick for goal and Tony Martin slotted the two points from 20 metres out in front - Warriors 20-6.

62nd min: NEWS - The handling has become a bit sloppy as the conditions are now very slippery.

62nd min: NEWS - The Eels are having no luck tonight, this time having a try denied from a forward pass.

65th min: TRY - Eels. On the back of a strip Peterson threw his body towards the corner and planted the ball down in mid-air for a try. Witt fails to convert - Warriors 20-10.

69th min: NEWS - Richard Villasanti is having a huge match, this time getting back to cover a charge down and save a try.

70th min: NEWS - Parramatta are killing any chance they have of winning this match with some very simplistic errors.

73rd min: NEWS - Tempers have flared as Paleasina has unloaded a burst of punches on Craig Stapelton.

76th min: NEWS - The Eels have blown another attacking opportunity in the Warriors half and that surely will be the match.

80th min: FULL TIME - Great spirit shown from the Eels in the second half but ultimately the Warriors have been too strong despite being held try less for the last 40 minutes. Full Time score - Warriors 20 Eels 10.

FULL TIME STATS Penalties: Warriors 9 Eels 10 Completions: Warriors 30/41 Eels 29/47 Hitups: Warriors 141 Eels 187 Tackles: Warriors 266 Eels 258 Mistackles: Warriors 25 Eels 21 Errors: Warriors 17 Eels 18

----------------------------------------- Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 - R Villasanti (Warriors) 2 - C Toopi (Warriors) 1 - J Ropati (Warriors) -----------------------------------------