Parramatta 22
Rabbitohs 8
SYDNEY - Parramatta used the occasion of Nathan Hindmarsh's record-breaking 266th game to get their NRL season back on track with victory over an error-riddled South Sydney at ANZ Stadium yesterday.
The Eels overcame a woeful first half and an 8-2 deficit at the break to find form in the
second 40 minutes, reportedly after coach Daniel Anderson left the dressing sheds early to let the players speak among themselves.
Anderson's exit seemed to have an immediate effect on his players.
Centre Timana Tahu was inspirational, scoring the Eels' first try four minutes after the break and forcing the ball loose in a tackle on Jamie Simpson which led to the second.
A minute later a lackadaisical Rhys Wesser was beaten to a Daniel Mortimer kick by a flying Luke Burt and Parramatta hit the lead for the first time in the match at 14-8.
Mortimer sealed the deal with a 70th-minute effort which he had started with a popped pass, the conversion making it 22-8.
Burt converted all three tries and also booted two penalty goals.
Co-captain Hindmarsh passed Eels great Brett Kenny's record of 265 games for Parramatta.
A ludicrous second-half sideshow of sin-binnings resulted in Eels co-captain Nathan Cayless being sent to the sidelines for 10 minutes following repeated stripping infringements from his team and, two minutes later, Souths centre Beau Champion going the same way after a high shot.
The binnings followed lectures from refs Ben Cummins and Gerrard Sutton that had commentators fuming.
In an error-strewn first half, the Eels managed a woeful 44 per cent completion rate and Souths' had made 20 mistakes by the break.
Two well-executed backline plays in the fourth and 22nd minutes resulted in tries to Souths winger Fetuli Talanoa and centre Colin Best.
The Eels had to be content with a Burt penalty goal after the siren.
Souths went into the match minus six first grade forwards after captain Roy Asotasi and Michael Crocker were ruled out before kickoff.
- AAP
