22 Mar 2015

Warriors beat Eels for best start since 2010

10:11 am on 22 March 2015

The Warriors have beaten the Parramatta Eels 29-16 in their first home game of the National Rugby League season to record the Aucklanders' best start since 2010.

The Warriors' second straight win along with their opening defeat have the team flying high in sixth place after three games.

But it took a 76th-minute Shaun Johnson dropped field goal to seal the win, after the Eels stormed back into the game following half-time, when the Warriors led 22-0.

Warriors rookie Solomone Kata takes to the air against the Eels

Warriors rookie Solomone Kata takes to the air against the Eels Photo: Photosport

Solomone Kata scored two tries while Ryan Hoffman, Tui Lolohea and Manu Vatuvei also crossed for four-pointers, and Johnson kicked four conversions as well.

The St George Illawarra Dragons got their first win with a 22-20 comeback victory over the Raiders in Canberra, while the Melbourne Storm thrashed the visiting Cronulla Sharks 36-18.

On Friday night the Brisbane Broncos put a big 44-22 winning scoreline on the North Queensland Cowboys in the local derby at Suncorp Stadium.

The Canterbury Bulldogs also got up over Manly at their Brookvale Oval fortress, the visitors triumphing 16-12 over the Sea Eagles.