Storm prove too strong for Eels on Mother’s Day

A second-half shutout has seen Melbourne record a 28-10 Mother's Day victory over Parramatta in front of 10,505 fans at Pirtek Stadium.

With Billy Slater returning following a three game absence, the Storm produced a clinical performance to grind away against a determined, but poor Eels outfit.

After avoiding an early scare from Eels captain Tim Mannah, the Storm opened the scoring in the 5th minute through Slater following a brilliant inside pass close to the line.

The Eels hit back through Will Hopoate in the 17th minute and took the lead momentarily following a sweep play finished off by Ryan Morgan after 28 minutes, but that proved to be the end of the Eels scoring.

The Storm tied the scores just before halftime through Billy Slater after second rower Kevin Proctor delivered an offload for the fullback to touch down for his second try.

While the Eels threatened to cause an upset based off their first-half performance led by Danny Wicks up-front, the Storm were too strong in the second half, grinding away in a clinical performance littered with moments of brilliance.

Shortly after the resumption of play, Man of the Match Cooper Cronk produced a fantastic cross-field kick for Marika Koroibete to score untouched, taking the lead out to 16-10.

While the Eels weren't short of opportunities to hit back, a series of mistakes and incomplete sets proved costly as Will Chambers was given the green light, despite concerns over a possible double movement in the 52nd minute.

Melbourne wrapped up the game in the 68th minute, as Semi Radradra in his return from injury, knocked on in goal, allowing Dale Finucane to pounce on the ball to score his first try for the Storm.

Overall, the Storm dominated the match courtesy of a first-class kicking game from Cooper Cronk who produced numerous line dropouts, while Billy Slater and Kevin Proctor also contributed strong games, especially in the first half. Christian Welch also made a solid debut, coming up with five runs and 12 tackles in limited game time late in the match.

For the Eels, Danny Wicks led from the front in the first half, while Nathan Peats racked up 54 tackles in another strong showing from the City Origin hooker. However, in-form forward David Gower left the field in the first half with a foot injury, failing to return.

Next week the Eels play host to the Warriors on Saturday afternoon, while the Storm take on South Sydney at AAMI Park to round out Super Saturday.

Match Details

Parramatta Eels 10 Melbourne Storm 28
Venue: Pirtek Stadium
Crowd: 10505
Halftime Score: Parramatta Eels 10 Melbourne Storm 10

PARRAMATTA EELS (10)
Tries: William Hopoate, Ryan Morgan
Conversions: Chris Sandow (1/2)

MELBOURNE STORM (28)
Tries: Billy Slater (2), Marika Koroibete, Will Chambers, Dale Finucane
Conversions: Cameron Smith (4/5)

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:

3 points - Cooper Cronk
2 points - Billy Slater
1 point - Kevin Proctor

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary

Welcome to League Unlimited's coverage of Round 9 Sunday Afternoon NRL between Parramatta Eels and Melbourne Storm at Pirtek Stadium.

Parramatta will be 1-17, but have been boosted by the return of Semi Radradra who last played against the Bulldogs in Round 2.

Melbourne have made a number of changes with Billy Slater back at Fullback, Tim Glasby coming into the starting side in place of the injured Jordan McLean. Kenneath Bromwich comes onto the bench alongside debutant Christian Welch.

A Brisbane junior, Welch has spent the past two seasons with the Storm's NYC side playing in the second row.

Melbourne have won 4 of the past 5 encounters, however the last time they clashed at Pirtek Stadium, Parramatta came away with a 16-10 win in 2012.

Kick-off only minutes away: Can the Eels come away with an upset or will the Storm prove too strong.

Danny Wicks takes the first run of the day.

Good run by Nathan Peats earns a penalty on halfway.

1: Parramatta to start a set on the 20 metre line.

1: Possible try to Tim Mannah. The Eels captain got over the line but looks to have lost possession. Video has ruled No Try.

1: Doubts over whether Mannah has even gotten the ball on the ground.

1: The Eels went close in that set through Manu Ma'u and Danny Wicks before the Mannah run.

1: No Try.

2: Reece Robinson's pass goes into touch on the last.

3: Kevin Proctor earns a penalty on the 40 metre line for inside the 10 against the Eels.

3: Cronk double-pumps for Finucane who is taken close to the line.

4: Reece Robinson is trapped in-goal after a 5th tackle grubber from Cameron Smith.

5: Tim Glasby receives a penalty 30 metres out. Melbourne tap and go.

5: TRY MELBOURNE STORM
Scored by Billy Slater. Kick to come.
After missing the past 3 games, the #1 is over for his first try of 2015.

6: Great inside pass to Slater who used his speed to beat a pair of Eels to the line.

7: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION MELBOURNE STORM
Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith successful.
From close to the posts, Smith makes it 6-0.

8: Cronk completes the sets by kicking straight to Semi Radradra who gets his first touch of the afternoon.

9: Great ball from Danny Wicks almost leads to a try following some great play from Norman and Sandow.

11: Melbourne complete another set. The Storm are playing well simply taking the ball up.

12: Marika Koroibete earns a penalty. Eels inside the 10.

13: Slater almost gets through a gap. Storm on the attack.

13: Sandow makes a great catch, but loses possession. Storm scrum 30 metres out.

14: Melbourne lose possession and Radradra almost gets away. Eels with an opportunity to hit back.

15: Takairangi drops a great ball from Corey Norman in a try-scoring position.

16: Sandow pulls off an intercept and gets a penalty.

17: TRY PARRAMATTA EELS
Scored by William Hopoate. Kick to come.
After a good pass from Reece Robinson, Hopoate crosses in the corner.

18: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PARRAMATTA EELS
Conversion attempt by Chris Sandow unsuccessful.
The wind pushes the kick wide. 6-4 Storm.

19: David Gower earns a penalty.

20: Eels start a set inside Melbourne's half.

20: Hopoate knocks on following a Robinson offload. Poor set in a try-scoring position.

22: Kevin Proctor takes the Storm into Eels territory.

22: Good work from Reece Robinson to take Cronk's bomb and stay in the field of play.

23: Ryan Hinchcliffe on for Melbourne.

23: Joseph Paulo and Peni Terepo on for Parramatta.

24: Slater is taken on suspicion in a high tackle. Penalty.

24: Kevin Proctor exchanges words with Danny Wicks and Nathan Peats, earning a penalty.

25: Radradra saves a try but gives away another set 10 metres out.

26: Cronks puts in a grubber which traps Robinson in-goal.

27: Melbourne come up with the ball from a shallow re-start.

27: Blake Green has lost the ball trying to score a try. Referee has ruled No Try but is checking for obstruction and how the ball came out.

27: No Try. 20 metre re-start.

27: Danny Wicks off, replaced by Richie Fa'aoso.

28: Radradra puts the foot down but is cut down by Slater 15 out from the line.

28: TRY PARRAMATTA EELS
Scored by Ryan Morgan. Kick to come.
Great passing movement from Robinson to Hopoate puts Ryan Morgan over.

30: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PARRAMATTA EELS
Conversion attempt by Chris Sandow successful.
Sandow starts the kick right and the wind fades the kick right between the posts. 10-6 Eels take the lead.

31: Terepo loses the ball on the 2nd tackle inviting the Storm right back.

31: Penalty to Storm against Robinson for a flop.

32: Dayne Weston takes his first run of the day.

32: TRY MELBOURNE STORM
Scored by Billy Slater. Kick to come.
Great offload from Kevin Proctor puts Slater in again.

32: That makes it 14 tries from 16 games against the Eels for Slater.

33: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION MELBOURNE STORM
Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith unsuccessful.
From wide out, Smith misses leaving the scores tied at 10-10.

35: Melbourne have looked better overall, but whenever the Eels have the ball they look threatening.

35: Hopoate cut down by Kurt Mann close to the line.

36: Mahe Fonua cleans up a Norman grubber.

37: Ryan Morgan earns a penalty near halfway. Eels with a great opportunity to take the lead into halftime.

37: Terepo drops the ball in the tackle. Melbourne on the attack.

38: Melbourne have been frantic in this set.

38: In diving for a try, Billy Slater has hit the left upright. Referee checking for a try, but Joseph Paulo has hit Slater in the contest.

38: No Try. 20 metre re-start.

39: Eels penalty following a forearm from Dayne Weston in the face of a Parramatta player.

40: On the final play of the half, Brad Takairangi drops an offload close to the Storm try line.

40: David Gower is being assessed for a foot injury. Channel 9 report he is a 50/50 chance of returning, we'll have more information as it comes to hand.

40: Parramatta have completed at 44%, with 11 from 17 sets. While the Storm have completed 17 from 20 at 56%.

40: Great work from Billy Slater and Kevin Proctor for the Storm, while Danny Wicks has been a major standout in his first stint for the Eels running for 91 metres and making 19 tackles.

40: So far the Eels have yet to use Isaac De Gois, while Kenny Bromwich and Christian Welch are yet to play.

40: Sandow kicks off and Dayne Weston takes the first run of the second half.

41: Cronk bombs but Reece Robinson makes no mistakes at the back.

42: Norman bombs, but it bounces into touch. Storm scrum 20 metres out from their line.

42: Koroibete knocks on from the scrum, Sandow picks the ball up to score but the referee is checking for a double movement.

42: No Try. Sandow's decision to promote the ball after the tackle had been completed results in a Melbourne penalty.

43: Richie Fa'aoso is down with injury, always a concern when he goes down.

44: TRY MELBOURNE STORM
Scored by Marika Koroibete. Kick to come.
Great cross field kick to an unmarked Koroibete opens the second half scoring.

45: Richie Fa'aoso is up, but has been replaced by Danny Wicks.

46: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION MELBOURNE STORM
Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith successful.
Smith converts, Melbourne take a 16-10 lead.

47: Great passing from the Eels is called back for a forward pass. Had the pass been deemed ok, Ryan Morgan had open space.

48: Koroibete makes a nice run, but loses the ball.

49: David Gower appears to be out of the game with a foot injury. Eels down to a three man bench.

49: Peni Terepo loses another ball, Melbourne back on the attack.

49: Chris Sandow is penalised for a strip against Kurt Mann.

51: Will Chambers is over again, but as is the custom with referees, we'll check with the Video.

51: TRY MELBOURNE STORM
Scored by Will Chambers. Kick to come.
Melbourne breaking away now.

52: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION MELBOURNE STORM
Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith successful.
Storm out by 12 now. Eels will need to score next to keep in contact.

54: Billy Slater ruled to strip Reece Robinson. Eels scrum.

55: Slater catches as Melbourne look more likely so far in this second half.

56: Chambers makes a great run which is followed up with great work from Cooper Cronk to force another line drop out.

58: Billy Slater fires a wonderful ball, but Koroibete can't catch it.

58: Fa'aoso is coming back on as Isaac De Gois gets his first run of the day.

58: Slater kicks the ball dead, Eels line drop out.

60: Christian Welch is on for his first grade debut. Wonderful moment for any player.

61: Sandow tries a grubber but it's cleaned up by Will Chambers.

62: Cronk kicks for himself but Robinson is able to get there first.

63: Corey Norman shanks his bomb. 7 tackle set for Melbourne.

63: Forward pass from Blake Green goes unnoticed.

64: Great take from Will Hopoate defuses a cross field kick from Cooper Cronk intended for Marika Koroibete.

64: Fa'aoso loses the ball. Storm scrum 40 metres out.

64: With 15 minutes remaining, the Storm should be too good, but the Eels are capable and the Storm did allow the Cowboys back into a match late in Round 4.

66: Cronk bombs but once again Hopoate is on the spot to defuse.

68: Radradra can't clean up Cronks grubber, refereeing indicates a Try but wants to check with the Video.

68: Worst case scenario for Melbourne will be a line drop out, Best will be a Try.

68: TRY MELBOURNE STORM
Scored by Dale Finucane. Kick to come.
Simultaneous put-down ruled as the Storm win.

68: The former Canterbury back rower scores his first Try for Melbourne.

69: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION MELBOURNE STORM
Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith successful.
Conversion Successful - 28-10 with ten to go.

71: Parramatta's inability to score in this second half has brought this game to a standstill.

71: The Eels have tried hard, but the Storm have been clinical in their dismantling of Parramatta.

72: Billy Slater has been replaced with 8 minutes left.

73: Christian Welch is able to clean up a Manu Ma'u dropped ball.

73: Ryan Hinchcliffe earns a penalty due to Chris Sandow making a shoulder charge.

74: Blake Green is cut down just short of the line.

75: After a bizarre play, the Eels come up with the ball following a lost ball from Cameron Smith.

76: Sandow tries a chip but once again the Storm have everything the Eels can muster covered.

77: Cooper Cronk finds touch just short of the Eels 20 metre line.

78: Penalty to Parramatta.

78: It may seem cliche', but the Storm's Big Three have been phenomenal today.

79: Parramatta knock on close to the line.

80: After a 10-10 half time, the Storm have scored three tries to run out winners, 28-10.