Adam Lucius at Parramatta Stadium
Jarryd Hayne has revived memories of the scintillating run of form that swept Parramatta to last year's grand final, scoring a hat-trick of tries in the Eels' vital 36-24 win over North Queensland.
Blasted by coach Daniel Anderson following his last performance in Parramatta colours, the brilliant No.1 turned in his best game of the season as the Eels snapped a three-game losing streak at chilly Parramatta Stadium.
The win has given new hope that the blue and golds may yet be able to turn their season around and make a late bid for the finals on the back of Hayne's return to form.
The home side trailed early but five tries in 15 minutes either side of the half-time break appeared to have put the game to bed.
The Cowboys refused to cave in, however, twice moving to within 12 points before running out of time.
The handling from both sides was atrocious early, the overall completion rate hovering around 50 per cent.
The Cowboys finally held on to the ball long enough to post the first points of the game in the 23rd minute, albeit in highly controversial circumstances.
Johnathan Thurston sped through a gap and threw what looked a blatant forward pass for Willie Tonga to cruise over.
With the crowd voicing its disapproval at referee Ashley Klein, Thurston slotted the extras for a fortuitous 6-0 lead.
They say you need a good set of six immediately after scoring but someone forgot to tell Carl Webb.
He knocked on from the kick-off and from the next set Jeff Robson took advantage of some flimsy defence from Leeson Ah Mau to break the line and flash over.
Luke Burt converted to lock it all up - and then Hayne stepped up to centre stage.
Collecting a pass from Matt Keating 55m out, the broken play specialist zoomed into the clear and beat Matt Bowen in a thrilling diagonal sprint to the corner.
Keating was collected high by Ah Mau after passing the ball and was taken from the field on a medicab with his head in a neck brace.
Ah Mau was placed on report but may escape further punishment as Keating was falling when hit.
Keating's night was over but it was just starting for Hayne.
In the 38th minute he reeled in a short kick over the top from Robson and bumped off Thurston to crash over next to the left upright.
Burt was again on target for an 18-6 lead and he would soon be called into action again.
Krisnan Inu started the raid deep in his own half, exchanging passes with Joel Reddy out wide on the right before hitting the gas and leaving the Cowboys defence in his wake.
From 6-0 down the Eels were, incredibly, up 24-6 and receiving a standing ovation from their appreciative fans.
North Queensland coach Neil Henry was livid with his side's collapse, kicking a chair across the dressing room floor in utter disgust.
His mood would have darkened even further just seconds into the second half, Anthony Watts knocking on from dummy half on the second tackle.
From the ensuing set Robson grubbered into the in-goal where Thurston and Bowen made a complete hash of cleaning up the ball, allowing Reddy to plant his hand on the ball for a simple try.
But four-pointers to Arana Taumata (49th minute) and Tonga (61st) threatened to turn the game on its head,