Mitch Moses, the Eels’ star, returned from a lengthy absence to help Parramatta snap a five-game losing streak with a 34-22 victory over the Sharks at CommBank Stadium.
Moses has been out of the lineup since Round 3 due to a fractured foot, yet despite his absence, the halfback performed admirably.
The cunning No. 7 produced three try assists, but his kicking skill was also key, something the Eels have badly lacked.
Clint Gutherson was also back on deck after missing a few weeks with a knee injury, and the Eels skipper was brilliant, assisting on a try and running for a total of 245 meters.
Trent Barrett, the Eels’ interim coach, earned his first win since being promoted two weeks ago following Brad Arthur’s dismissal.
The Sharks, who were missing Nicho Hynes and Cam McInnes (Origin camp), took an early lead following a Sione Katoa touchdown, but Parramatta scored three consecutive tries.
Two of those were from winger Maika Sivo, who used his body as a human battering ram to run over Sharks fullback Will Kennedy.
“Maika Sivo, like a freight train,” Warren Smith said on Fox League.
The Sharks scored a much-needed try shortly after through Kennedy, which was set up by a long run from Ronaldo Mulitalo, who broke three Eels tackles before giving it.
“The Sharks go coast to coast. What a piece of play,” Smith said.
The game hung in the balance at halftime with Parramatta in front 16-10.
Moses stamped his authority on the game further in the 58th minute, when making a half break and giving it onto Bailey Simonsson who finished the job.
That gave the Eels a 28-10 lead, but there would be more drama when Cronulla crossed for two tries in five minutes to set up a grandstand finish.
The potential of a thrilling finish didn’t last long though with Dylan Brown juking through the Sharks defence in the 69th minute to score the game-sealer.
It’s the second straight loss for the ladder-leading Sharks, following their heavy 42-0 defeat at the hands of Penrith last week.
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