Tigers smash Eels 31-18 in NRL clash

SYDNEY, March 22 AAP - Wests Tigers posted their second NRL win on the trot in comfortable fashion on Friday night, downing an error-strewn Parramatta 31-18 in the NRL clash at Leichhardt Oval.

Two tries in the opening 20 minutes from Chris Lawrence laid the foundations for the Tigers, as the Eels twice coughed up the ball deep in their own half.

With the newly re-signed Robbie Farah and Benji Marshall dominating, the Eels could not get a foothold on the game and they didn't help their cause by giving away needless penalties.

The visitors were made to pay on the half-hour mark when Blake Ayshford darted over in the right corner, boosting his side to an 18-0 halftime lead.

Parramatta's Ryan Morgan gave his side hope three minutes after the restart when he crossed for their opening try, but the hosts were quick to respond.

Marshall and Tim Moltzen scored the Tigers' fourth and fifth tries in the space of three minutes.

Vai Toutai and Jacob Loko touched down to make the scoreboard more respectable for the Eels, but Jacob Miller put their hopes of victory to bed with a field goal in the 74th minute.

Mitchell Allgood and Jarryd Hayne were both guilty of losing possession early and the hosts took full advantage, twice spreading the ball to the left where Lawrence muscled his way past Chris Sandow to score.

The Eels almost reduced the deficit on the stroke of halftime when Hayne made a great break down the left wing.

He released Vai Toutau, who in turn found Loko, but the young centre, under pressure from Farah, came up with another handling error and butchered the chance to score just in front of the line.