Eels re-claim Battle Of The West

Parramatta backed up their trial win over the Tigers with a 30-0 drubbing of The Penrith Panthers at Centrebet Stadium on Saturday night. Once again Jeff Robson, Daniel Mortimer and veteran hooker Casey McGuire were up to the task with the Eels crossing the stripe five times, with Luke Burt successful with all conversions. Ten minutes in things were not looking good for new backline recruit Chris Walker after taking a scoot from dummy half and staying down clutching at a heavily strapped foot, he was assisted from the field with a dislocated big toe. Nine minutes later, Taniela Lasalo opened the scoring for the Eels steaming through a hole virtually untouched running onto a ball from Robson. Fifteen minutes later, the Parramatta number seven was at it again, with a perfectly waited grubber into the Penrith in-goal area for Ben Smith, who had come into the match from the bench for injured Walker, to ground the score just before the dead ball line. Ex Panther Paul Whatuira scored his debut try for the club off a bomb which had been misjudged by winger Sandor Earl. Parramatta's defence was impenetrable, with the likes of Shane Shakleton and Nathan Hindmarsh cutting players down with ease. New Panther Nigel Plum, known for excellent tackling style, was impressive in defence for Penrith, But it was not enough as the Eels came back from halftime adding to the scoreboard. Jarryd Haynes precise bomb into the in-goal was plucked from the air from a leaping Justin Horo to put the visitors up 24 nil. A late shot on Eels six Daniel Mortimer by Luke Walsh started an all in brawl, with the ex Knight coming together with Jarryd Hayne on a couple more occasions during the match. Interchange hooker Matt Keating completed the scoring with a simple dive over from dummy half effort to put the icing on the cake for the Parramatta fans. Penrith were without big names Michael Jennings, Michael Gordon and Trent Waterhouse, with Travis Burns out suspended, he was replaced with new signing Arana Taumata. Injured fullback Lachlan Coote made a successful return from a groin complaint playing 40 minutes off the bench. Other notable missing players were Nathan Smith and Frank Puletua. Parramatta were still missing star props, Fui Fui Moi Moi and Justin Poore. Moi Moi will be back for round one from a broken arm, while Justin Poore's knee has failed to respond to surgery he had done earlier in the off season, and has recently gone under the knife again. Chris Walker's dislocated toe is only expected to keep him out til round two and the latest.

Eels 30
Lasalo, Smith, Whatuira, Horo, Keating tries.
Burt 5 goals.

Penrith
0