NRL: Sutton stars for Souths in five try romp as lead stretches

John Sutton makes his presence felt in a dominant performance. Photo / Getty Images

Halves Adam Reynolds and John Sutton starred as South Sydney moved three points clear at the top of the NRL with a 30-10 victory over last-placed Parramatta yesterday.

The Rabbitohs trailed 4-0 early on at ANZ Stadium in Sydney, but scored the next 18 points to take control.

Reynolds scored a try and set up two more with kicks and finished with 14 points.

Strapping standoff Sutton stood in a tackle to set up a try and scored one in a commanding performance.

Wing Ken Sio scored two tries for Parramatta, the second of which was a 90m intercept effort, after a pass from Reynolds deflected into his hands.

That was about the only blemish on Reynolds' copybook.

Sio scored in the corner in the 12th minute, but Reynolds and Sutton turned the game around with their well-executed option taking.

Centre Dylan Walker crossed in the 17th minute after a Reynolds stab kick deflected off Eels five-eighth Joseph Paulo and wrongfooted Parramatta fullback Jake Mullaney.

After 29 minutes, Sutton offloaded to Justin Hunt, whose well placed kick was touched down for a try by wing Dylan Farrell.

It took just three minutes of the second half for Souths to extend their 12-4 halftime lead to a 14-point advantage. Another Reynolds kick set up a try to Hunt.

Sio's intercept try provided a rare moment of joy for Parramatta, but Reynolds brushed off some flimsy defence for the Rabbitohs' fourth try.

Busy hooker Issac Luke drew defenders to set up a clear passage for Sutton to score South Sydney's fifth and final try in the 63rd minute.

- AAP