The St George Illawarra Dragons have suffered a 34-16 loss to the Parramatta Eels at WIN Stadium, Wollongong on Sunday evening.
Russell Packer's error on the first hit-up of the game set the tone early as Eels five-eighth Clinton Gutherson scored within the first 40 seconds.
Parramatta winger Semi Radradra scored his team's next two, both in similar fashion, come the 17th and 22nd minute.
Eels centre Brad Takairangi scored next in the 31st minute when he won the race to a Corey Norman grubber.
An offload from Leeson Ah Mau offered the Dragons some relief as it proved the impetus for birthday boy Gareth Widdop's long-range try three minutes from half-time.
Up 18-6 at half-time, the Eels continued on from where they left off in the second half when Bevan French sliced through to score in the 46th minute.
Fancy footwork from Dragons fullback Josh Dugan helped the Red V peg one back in the 50th minute, but it wouldn't stop Radradra from completing his hat-trick eight minutes later.
While Paul Vaughan crossed for the easiest try he'll likely ever score in the 69th minute, it was all in vain as Radradra made it four tries in the final four minutes from a set play.
Parramatta Eels 34 (Semi Radradra 4, Clinton Gutherson, Brad Takairangi, Bevan French tries; Clinton Gutherson 3 goals) defeated St George Illawarra Dragons 16 (Gareth Widdop, Josh Dugan, Paul Vaughan tries; Gareth Widdop 2 goals) at WIN Stadium, Wollongong. Half-time: Eels 18-6. Crowd: 16,023.
