Eels sink Warriors' season

Having spent the past few weeks on life support, the Warriors shambolic season has been put out of its misery.

The final nail came as the 16th- placed Eels embarrassed the Warriors 30-20 in Auckland this evening, all but ending any hopes of a play off appearance.

A late flurry flattered the scoreline for the hosts, with three quick tries, but it was all too little too late.

Conceding an early 12-0 lead, errors plagued the hosts throughout a frustrating 80 minutes at Go Media Stadium, one which tested even the most ardent of the faithful.

Shaun Johnson's return couldn't spark the woeful Warriors, who were out-played and out-passioned by Parramatta.

Despite having plenty of territory and possession, the Warriors were unable to cash in and the Eels soon surged out to a 12-0 lead.

First Jake Tago went in at the corner on the back of some smart handling from the Parramatta backs.

Joey Lussick then got one over his younger brother as he powered in to shellshock the hosts.

With the half hour mark approaching, the Warriors finally got on the board through Roger Tuivasa-Sheck who took a sharp shift on from Ali Leiataua.

But just as the home crowd started to make some noise, the Eels silenced them with a third try as Daejarn Asi busted his way through the line to score under the sticks.

The Warriors had a golden opportunity to strike first in the second, with a set just 10 out, only for a knock-on to scrub the chance.

Another went begging shortly after as Ali Leiataua crossed the chalk off a bomb, but replays revealed a touch from Leka Halasima which drifted forward.

The Eels then rubbed salt in the wound as Blaize Talagi cruised through some feeble defence for Parramatta's fourth.

Capping his perfect night with the boot, Clint Gutherson sealed things after Dylan Brown carved the Warriors wide open as the Eels cracked thirty.

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad picked up a consolation, but the result was well assured when he crossed the chalk.

Try-scorer Tago was shown a late yellow card for a professional foul, and the Warriors took immediate advantage through Marata Niukore.

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak managed a fourth for the hosts to bring his side within 10, but the clock ran out and the whistle blew to essentially bring an end to the Warriors' top eight prospects, and silence the drums at Mount Smart.

Scorers

Eels 30 (Tago, Lussick, Asi, Talagi, Gutherson, tries, Gutherson, 5 goals)

Warriors 20 (Tuivasa-Sheck, Nicoll-Klokstad, Niukore, Watene-Zelezniak, tries, Johnson 1 goal, Harris-Tavita 1 goal)