- Parramatta Eels 16-10 Penrith Panthers
- New Zealand Warriors 37-26 North Queensland Cowboys
Clint Gutherson scores a try during the Eels’ win over the Panthers at Bankwest Stadium.
Photograph: Brendon Thorne/AAP
Parramatta fans can officially start dreaming of a breakthrough premiership after equalling their best start to a season since their most recent title triumph.
The Eels extended their unbeaten start to their campaign with a 16-10 comeback win over neighbourhood rivals Penrith on Friday night.
Not since they last lifted the trophy in 1986 have Parramatta, who retain top spot on the ladder with this victory, opened the season with five consecutive victories.
Brad Arthur’s side did it the hard way in front of a crowd of 507 at Bankwest Stadium, stealing the win with a three-try, six-minute blitz in the second half.
The Panthers themselves were looking at their best start since their maiden premiership in 1991 when they scratched their way to a 10-0 half-time lead.
But it was former Panthers centre Waqa Blake who was the catalyst, scoring the Eels’ first try in the 62nd minute before setting up the second, scored by Clint Gutherson, in the next set.
Parramatta completed the comeback three minutes later when a Mitchell Moses grubber wrong-footed the Penrith fullback for Ryan Matterson to touch down.
The Panthers fought hard in search of the equaliser in the final minutes, but were held out by a desperate Eels defence.
Earlier, the Warriors continued their inconsistent season, scoring seven tries against an injury-hit North Queensland in a rip-roaring 37-26 bout at Central Coast Stadium.
Having previously scored just four tries in four games, the Warriors ran riot with seven, contributing to a 12-try total for the night.
Adding to the peculiarity of the evening, Fox Sports presenter Hannah Hollis will be tested for coronavirus on Saturday after conducting a sideline interview with injured Cowboys fullback Valentine Holmes.
Holmes was taken off in the first half with an ankle injury, and Hollis spoke to him with a microphone near his face, which is against the NRL’s strict biosecurity guidelines.
There was no contact between the pair and the NRL confirmed Holmes was free to fly home with the Cowboys following the match.
On the field, Kodi Nikorima was a standout for the Warriors with two try-assists, two line-break assists, a linebreak and a field goal to help the Warriors secure their second win of the season.
