Jarryd Hayne has put on a thrilling attacking display as the Dyldam Parramatta Eels defeated the Gold Coast Titans 24-18 at CBUS Super Stadium on Saturday night.
The fullback’s individual skill was on clear display in the second half as he found space and needed no help to run 70 metres for a try to level the scores. And with the help of live wire halfback Chris Sandow, he ran in a second try close to the posts to put Parramatta in the lead.
The win marked the end of a four-match losing streak for the Eels, and a patchy record on the road, led by Hayne’s running game, and an enthusiastic performance from Sandow in the halves.
With Captain Tim Mannah returning to the side along with Will Hopoate and Ken Sio, centre Willie Tonga, Vai Toutai and Peni Terepo moved out of the side for Round 20.
The Blue and Gold looked on edge early as a Brad Takairangi offload found Dave Taylor at centre and the hulking Titan found his way across the line to open the scoring.
The Eels needed a weight of possession to break the Titans line for their first points of the night, with a pass from Isaac De Gois via Sandow sending Ken Sio over for a four-pointer.
And while both sides had more than enough opportunities, it was only a penalty goal for the Titans that edged them in front 8-6, as both teams headed back to the sheds.
The Titans opened strongly again after halftime when Anthony Don collected a skilful Daniel Mortimer kick in-goal to extend the Gold Coast lead.
But Hayne’s individual effort sparked a change in momentum that saw the Eels put their nose in front for the first time in the match, increasing their lead with Hayne’s second try of the night, and Corey Norman extending the Blue and Gold lead as he grounded a Chris Sandow kick to score.
A try in the 79th minute from the incredibly quick James Roberts wasn’t enough to reel the game in for the Titans, as the Eels found themselves back in the winners’ circle with a 28-18 victory.
Dyldam Parramatta Eels - 24 (Hayne 2, Sio, Norman. Sandow: 4/4)
Gold Coast Titans - 18 (Taylor, Don, Roberts. Gordon: 2/3. Penalty Goal - Gordon: 1/1)
