Parramatta have piled the misery on the under-siege Gold Coast with a 30-8 NRL win on Thursday night.
The Eels provisionally jumped into fourth spot as they were rarely troubled by the Titans in front of 6826 fans at ANZ Stadium.
The Eels do have a concern over Bevan French who left the field five minutes before halftime with what appeared to be a recurrence of a hamstring problem which kept him out last week.
After conceding 152 points over the last four rounds and enduring a public feud with star player Jarryd Hayne, Titans coach Neil Henry is tipped to be sacked this week.
Hayne did not face his former club due to an ankle injury with his own future at the club still up in the air.
The Eels were unlucky not to win by more after bombing several opportunities – including Kirisome Auva’a breaking the line and throwing the ball over the top of three teammates who were in a position to score.
Michael Jennings and Semi Radradra were also denied by the video referees.
However the Eels couldn’t curse the bunker after the Titans were on the end of a refereeing howler when Radradra ran 90 metres to cross and was awarded a four-pointer despite appearing to knock on several times as he scooped up the ball.
“I think there were two (knock ons),” Eels great Peter Sterling said in the Network Nine commentary.
After the Eels held a 12-0 halftime lead, tries to Will Smith and Radradra took their advantage out to 24-0.
The Titans finally got on the board in the 63rd minute when, on the back of seven sets in a row, debutant prop Ben Nakubuwai twisted his way over to make it 24-4.
Smith – who came on for French in the second half – got his double in the 79th minute to seal the Eels’ seventh win in eight games.
Andrew
Guest
Question has to be asked of Archer why Atkins was appointed as the lead official and Badger, the far more senior referee the pocket ref. Some of Atkins decisions (both ways) were head scratchers and his 10m looked awful every time they went to the Eagle cam shot. For me the biggest head scratcher was James being pinged for accidental off side when the ball got kicked into him and he picked it up.
Albo
Guest
The Eels could regret rushing French back too soon after just a week off with a hammy twinge ! Same problem the Panthers gave themselves with Moylan rushed back after a week. More weeks off now likely. And now with Manu Ma'u facing a week's suspension, their next game against the Broncos will really test them out .
BleakCity
Roar Rookie
Was a head scratching night from officials on & off the field. Semi himself had several very strange decisions that favoured both teams. Further there is absolutely no consistency when it comes to what constitutes a knock on which involves the tackler attempting a strip. At least they didn't they didn't verbalize a clear misunderstanding of the rules like Perenara did.
Roberto
Guest
What a monumental cfu! Surely the lead video ref to sit out the rest of the season for that missed double knock on from Semi. Dear me, if this was a prelim or GF??