NRL. Round 1. Parramatta Eels vs New Zealnd Warriors. Parramatta Stadium.Matt Ryan scores Saturday 9th March, 2013Photos: Anthony Johnson
THE Parramatta Eels have started the 2013 season on the right note — a record breaking note at that.
Since the inception of the National Youth Competition in 2008, the Eels have never recorded a win in all three grades in round one.
That changed at the weekend.
In a rare appearance before first grade, the Wentworthville Magpies started the ball rolling with a 32-18 win against Mounties in the NSW Cup. Jake Mullaney played a starring role in the No.1 jumper crossing for two tries and setting up two others.
In the National Youth Competition, halfback Zach Dockar-Clay was the star in the Eels 46-8 rout over the Warriors. The crafty No.7 scored two tries and ran riot on the back of a dominant forward display led by Kelepi Tanginoa and Pauli Pauli, who both spent the pre-season training with the NRL.
And in the NRL, well, the Hayne plane soared to give the blue and gold a resounding 40-10 win against the Warriors.
But Jarryd Hayne had some handy co-pilots, including five-star performances from Chris Sandow and Tim Mannah.
Co-captain Reni Maitua said he was happy with the response to the Warriors second-half charge.
"It was great how we fought back when the Warriors were getting back in the game. The big test for us is backing that up with consistency," he said.
"We need a big performance against the Bulldogs, they are last year's grand finalists and it will be a real test."