Warriors beat Eels by 14 points

The Warriors missed out on a home final but they will take plenty of momentum into
the NRL playoffs after a comfortable 26-12 victory over Parramatta on Saturday
night.
In Nathan Cayless' 259th and final first grade match, the Eels tried hard but their
passes just didn't stick and it was the same sorry story that has plagued the blue
and gold's all season.
With another convincing defeat and a small crowd of just 11,383 in attendance it
wasn't an ideal farewell for Cayless, however the Kiwi World Cup winning skipper
scored a rare try from a kick with six minutes to go which he won't forget in a
hurry.
The Warriors led 8-6 at halftime and took a while to put their hapless opponents
away, but eventually did so with three quick tries.
Prop Jesse Royal crossed under the posts in the 56th-minute, before wingers Kevin
Locke and Manu Vatuvei raced away to put the result beyond doubt.
The Warriors have won five out of their past six matches and will be stiff
opposition in the first week of the playoffs.
There was drama on the stroke of halftime when Eels winger Luke Burt was tackled
after kicking the ball in a possible try-scoring situation by Warriors five-eighth
James Maloney.
The video referee decided there was too much doubt to award a try, but Maloney was
given 10 minutes in the sin bin.
Early in the first half, the Warriors forced four consecutive line drop-outs from
their opponents but couldn't convert with Parramatta's defence holding strong.
However, the visitor's patient and accurate kicking game eventually paid off when
halfback Brett Seymour poked one through for centre Jerome Ropati to pounce on in
the 16th minute for a 4-0 lead.
A sneaky try from a quick tap Timana Tahu got the Eels back in the match, before
some brilliant counter-attack from Locke saw Brent Tate edge the Warriors in front
again.



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