by Paul Cook - (click here for highlights) ********************** THE WARM-UP: ********************** It hasn’t been a season to write home about just yet for Parramatta, with one win from twelve matches before kick-off not the progress they were looking for after a couple of years flittering in and around the finals spots. However, recent weeks had seen a marked improvement as they significantly bolstered their scoring potential from an average of just over 11pts after the first seven rounds, to a healthier 28pts in the last five, pushing both Sydney Uni and Manly in the process. Souths arrived off the back of their biggest win of the season – kudos-wise - over high-flying Eastwood, a result itself that backed up arguably their best performance of 2015 against West Harbour in round 11. They were looking for nothing less than a bonus point win to maintain their march to a top four spot and possibly beyond, but were understandably wary of an improving Two Blues outfit. *************