The Wests Tigers have won their second match in a row, defeating a disappointing Parramatta side 31-18 at Leichhardt Oval.
The Tigers were facing Parramatta at the historic suburban ground for the first time since 2004, when they won 33-12, and it appears they haven’t forgotten about that last match.
They were just so impressive and they continue to be since being humbled by Newcastle in the first round.
By contrast, it appears Parramatta’s first round victory over the Warriors was a false dawn, with the team losing their last two matches in contrasting circumstances.
Last week they couldn’t force their heads into the Bulldogs’ defence, and they never really looked like doing so against the Tigers, being held scoreless in the first half and thus going 80 minutes without scoring after last week’s second half.
The Tigers set the tone for the match, with Chris Lawrence scoring the team’s first try after just four minutes to put the Tigers ahead 6-0.
Lawrence was in again on the quarter-mark of the match, the Tigers went ahead 14-0 and the Eels’ defensive structures fell apart.
A try to Blake Ayshford ten minutes later saw the Tigers enter the half-time break ahead 18-0, as they picked up where they left off last week against the Panthers.
Parramatta were plain woeful in the first half, with two missed tackles preceding Lawrence’s first try and conceding 38 points in their last two hours of football.
If they wanted to get back into the match, they had to be the first to score in the second half, and whatever Ricky Stuart said to his players in the sheds at the break appeared to have an immediate effect, with Ryan Morgan going in after only three minutes gone in the second half.
But that would be as close as Parramatta would get for the match.
Two tries to Benji Marshall and Tim Moltzen in the ten minutes that ensued appeared to wrap up the game for the Tigers. But the Eels would not give up without a fight, again reducing the margin to 12 points through Vai Toutai and Jacob Loko in the space of two minutes, with ten minutes to play.
Suddenly, memories were being evoked of when the Eels almost beat the Tigers last year, when they scored 30 points in the last 13 minutes, before falling short.
But there was to be no miracle this time, as Jacob Miller slotted a field goal to give the match its final scoreline of 31-18 in favour of the Tigers.
It was an impressive performance overall from the Tigers. They looked anything but wooden spoon contenders, and they can continue to surprise.
Who knows who the Tigers’ next victims will be? Next week, they are away to Manly, who are still to play their match against the Gold Coast Titans.
Any optimism Parramatta fans had for the season after their first round victory over the Warriors have all but diminished. The magnitude of that victory had Eels fans excited for the season following a lean couple of years but now it’s back to the drawing board for the blue-and-golds as they try to shake out of a two-match losing streak next week.
Next week, they face up to the Sydney Roosters, who themselves are being touted for a big season this year.
One thing Parramatta fans should learn is they need to stick with the team and find patience in the toughest of times, and the results will come.
It has been proven with many teams in the past, and no doubt the Eels will follow suit.
turbodewd
Roar Guru
Do u blame the stadium coz the event doesnt attract a big enough crowd?
Hardwick
Guest
I had a seat last night so it wasn't too bad, but agree the hill, when packed, can be an uncomfortable place to watch the game. Packed in like sardines. Still, great atmosphere!
Hardwick
Guest
I may be biased Johnno (being a Jets fan) but Henson Park on a Saturday arvo is close to the best rugby league experience available. North Sydney Oval's great too but suffers a bit as you'll be lucky to see 100 people. Was at Leichhardt last night - great atmosphere. Tigers definitely got the rub of the green with the refs but were the better side. They're a long way off the front runners. Melbourne, Manly, NQ, Dogs or Souths all would have beaten the Tiges easily on their performance last night
turbodewd
Roar Guru
eagle, the number one thing that bugs me about Hayne is his walking/dawdling on field. He has zero hustle and Phil Gould comments on it too. He is overpaid and under-delivers.
Robert
Guest
The problem with Hayne is the way he prances around the field thinking he is the greatest player to lace up a boot and the contempt he shows to refs ala Justin hodges -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download it now [http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-roar/id327174726?mt=8].
eagleJack
Guest
Hayne threw the cut-out pass that put Morgan over. He also threw a cut-out ball to put Loko over, after hitting the ball with speed following a break. He also provided 2 line break assists, with crisp passing. I thought he injected himself well. I love how you highlight he "had a knock on". Shock horror he must be the first player to do that. Never seen it before. If you are going to write about Haynes mistakes week in week out, please atleast provide some balance and write about other players mistakes too. I can't stand Parra, and I don't particularly like Hayne, but it seems unless he scores 3 tries and pulls off a couple of try saving tackles he is lambasted. Bringing up a knock on is pretty pathetic in the grand scheme of things. You could write the same thing about most players if you simply focus on the negatives. But maybe this is your "thing" this year Turbo. So who am I to stop you having your fun.
Johnno
Guest
but did you feel a conenction at the match to the crowd, all in when a try is scored, and everyone as 1, cheering loudly. Rather than the sedate energy of Allianz, and Homebush. I know what you mean about idiots, but what is the other option, sterile modern stadiums, where everyone has a seat and is quiet and not connecting as a audience and stadium. I know what you mean, but all seater stadiums often lack energy and atmosphere, the suburban grounds are dieting and maybe your experience validates that. Do the majority of fans now want sedate sterile grounds and sterile behaviour, rather than yobbos, and loud yobbos shouting all night, and spilling there drinks over you, and shouting all night . Do we go 1970's and 1980's or do we go more modern 2013 straight laced. That the choice we face.
thomascrown
Guest
Johnno, I was at the game and hated leihhcardt oval, ppl tripping over you and spolling there drinks on yooou as tney zigzag through the seated ppl on the hill and worst of all the idiots standing up near the front of the hill, I could only wTch half of tne field because of it. No common sense, its a shocking place to watch a gamee.
Johnno
Guest
Good crowd, Liechardt has the best atmosphere of any footy ground in sydney. Real old school, still has a grass hill. Good crowd a real sydney atmosphere, love it, last night felt like more NSWRL than NRL. In fact this year I have watched more NSW cup on foxtel than the NRL itself, love the NSW cup, i'm going to go to a few Bears and jets games, can't wait to go to henson park again,, and north sydney oval this year. Leichardt has that old school charm, right in the suburbs the ground is. Love it. Gonna go to a few drummoyne dirty reds matches this year too. But would love the west tigers to play more matches at Liechardt. Sandow is crap he is not good enough to play in the NRL, . Can't tackle and lousy kicking game most of time, poor option taking, Adam Reynolds much better option at souths than Sandow was, Johnny Lang just didn't realise that.
turbodewd
Roar Guru
Parramatta were a rabble and looked uncoached. Hayne MIA yet again. Sandow's defence is poor and he conceded the first 2 tries himself, they were almost the same in every respect. Hayne had a knock on which eventually led to a Tigers try. Hayne also conceded a penalty which led to the Marshall quick tap, long try effort. Hayne threw 2 passes to ground and also coughed up another ball, which was a pass from Sandow. Hayne's hustle was missing all night and the amount of time he could be seen walking was amazing. Hayne's kickoffs were good and he had 1 try assist, more thru being in the right place at the right time rather than a skillful set play. Parra....so bad in so many ways!