Storm frustrate Eels on the way to victory

v BYE

Melbourne Storm have continued on their winning ways with a 18-6 victory over a disappointing Eels team in front of 8,961 fans at Parramatta Stadium. 

Parramatta are almost out of finals contention given their points deduction pending due to salary cap breaches, and after they were frustrated out of the contest by a robust Melbourne team that were professional in their three tries to one performance, their season is all but over.

It was a star performance from Storm winger Suliasi Vunivalu whose two tries lit up a cold night in Sydney's west. He opened the scoring in the 6th minute and finished off the contest with his second late in the second half. 

The visitors were stubborn in defence and kept the Eels to zero for 79 minutes of the match. Fullback Cameron Munster pulled off two crucial try-savers despite being injured early in the second half, as Parramatta failed to break down the wall. 

Tries to Marika Koroibete and Cheyse Blair blew the scoreline out to 18-nil as the Storm backed up their victory over the defending premiers with consigning the Eels to having to remain perfect to make the finals. 

Eels had some joy late when Michael Jennings swept onto a Kieran Foran grubber to spare them the indignity of being kept to zero. Foran paid a price though, as the five-eighth re-injured his shoulder and joins Beau Scott as possible casualties from the contest.

The Storm enjoy the week off ahead of the Origin opener for Round 12, while the Eels head up the F3 to meet the Newcastle Knights in seven days time at Hunter Stadium.