Eels return to form with commanding victory over Newcastle

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Newcastle Knights v Parramatta Eels

The Parramatta Eels have broken a two match losing streak in style, making the Knights look silly on Old Boys Day in Newcastle with a 36-point drubbing.

The Eels scored all too easily with their first opportunity in Knights territory, with Lachlan Fitzgibbon being exposed at marker and Ryan Matterson taking full advantage to score his first try of the year. 

While the initial try in the 4th minute was a sign of things to come for the Knights, the Eels wouldn't score their second until the 17th minute, when Moses' kick was batted back and Matterson flicked a pass away to Dunster, who got the first try of his NRL career. 

The Eels attack really got going in the last 10 minutes of the half. Maika Sivo was given two 1-on-1 matchups in which he emerged victorious. They were courtesy of some ad-lib team play on the last and a bullet pass from Gutherson, while some more expansive play off the set right after points saw Gutherson go in and the Eels carry a 22 point lead into the break. 

Parramatta picked up right where they left off in the second half. Jake Clifford knocked on from dummy half and in the ensuing set, Shaun Lane got a miracle offload away to Bryce Cartwright. Mitch Moses converted to make the score 28-0 after 45 minutes. 

After one of the longest bunker referral processes in recent memory, Bradman Best immediately knocked on in the play the ball. It gave the Eels an easy opportunity, which was taken advantage of by some nice dummy-half work from Reed Mahoney to put Tom Opacic over the line. 

It was a convincing win for the Eels, but their fans will be sweating on the health of Reed Mahoney, who came off with what is rumoured to be a shoulder injury in the 68th minute. 

Sauaso Sue was sent to the bin for a high shot, and minutes later Waqa Blake chased a Bryce Cartwright grubber through to score. 

The Knights scored a consolation try at the end through Enari Tuala. Clifford was unable to convert

Next week, the Knights travel to Homebush to take on Souths, while the Eels will host the Tigers at Bankwest.