Melbourne scare unconvincing Eels

The Parramatta Eels have moved into the NRL Top 8 after a flat performance against a Origin-ravaged Melbourne outfit, winning by 24-22 at Parramatta Stadium in front of 12,597 fans.

All the pre-match talk centered around how many points the near full strength Eels would win by, and they must have been reading their own press as the Storm opened up a 10-0 lead after fifteen minutes, with tries to Sika Manu and a long range effort from Joseph Tomane. Parramatta hit back with three converted tries in thirteen minutes to take an 18-10 lead into half time.

In the 47th minute Manly bound winger Tony Williams was sent to the sin bin for a professional foul on opposing winger Brett Anderson, however the Storm were unable to capitalise on the one man advantage as the score remained the same until the 61st minute when Sika Manu crossed for his second try to bring the Storm within two points and a chance of a massive upset. Parramatta replied with a try of their own to Krisnan Inu and looked safe again at 24-16.

Stand-in skipper Cooper Cronk had other ideas though as he eased through some poor defence to set up a grandstand finish but in the end Luke Burt's perfect record with the boot proved the difference, the Storm putting up a great fight but falling two points short.

Next week the Eels take on the Panthers at home, while Melbourne will welcome back their Origin stars as they head back down south to take on the Raiders at Olympic Park.

Match Details Parramatta Eels 24 def Melbourne Storm 22 Round 16 - June 29th, 2008 3:00pm Venue: Parramatta Stadium Referee: Ben Cummins Half time: Eels 18-10 Crowd: 12,597

Parramatta Eels 24 Tries: Taulima Tautai, Tony Williams, Joel Reddy, Krisnan Inu Goals: Luke Burt (4/4) Melbourne Storm 22 Tries: Sika Manu (2), Joseph Tomane, Cooper Cronk Goals: Cooper Cronk (1/2), Steve Turner (2/2)

LeagueUnlimited.com Player of the Match 3 Points: Brett Finch (Eels) 2 Points: Jeremy Smith (Storm) 1 Point: Krisnan Inu (Eels)

EELS 1. Luke Burt, 2. Taulima Tautai, 3. Krisnan Inu, 4. Joel Reddy, 5. Tony Williams, 6. Feleti Mateo, 7. Brett Finch, 8. Nathan Cayless, 9. Mark Riddell, 10. Josh Cordoba, 11. Nathan Hindmarsh, 12. Daniel Wagon, 13. Chad Robinson. Reserves: 14. Matthew Keating, 15. Todd Lowrie, 16. Weller Hauraki, 17. Brendan Oake. STORM 1. Steve Turner, 2. Brett Anderson, 3. Joseph Tomane, 4. Jeremy Smith, 5. Sam Joe, 6. Matt Geyer, 7. Cooper Cronk, 8. Jeff Lima, 9. Russell Aitken, 10. Scott Anderson, 11. Antonio Kaufusi, 12. Sika Manu, 13. Adam Blair Reserves: 14. Liam Foran, 15. Kevin Proctor, 16. Aiden Tolman, 17. Clifford Manua, 18. Sinbad Kali, 19. Lucas Miller. (2 to be omitted).

Welcome to a sunny Parramatta Stadium for the Round 16 clash between the Parramatta Eels and the reigning premiers, The Melbourne Storm. Any late changes to team lineups will be available shortly.

TEAM CHANGES - STORM Sinbad Kali will come onto the bench in place of Clifford Manua. TEAM CHANGES - EELS As per program.

Toyota Cup has gone the way of the Parramatta side over Melbourne by 42-24.

1 min: Cooper Cronk kicks off and we are underway

3 min: First attacking chance for Parramatta as they receive a penalty for an indiscretion at marker

4 min: VIDEO REF: Possible try to the Eels

4 min: NO TRY - Try to Tony Williams disallowed for obstruction

9 min: TRY Melbourne Storm Sika Manu strolls through some weak Eels defence to give the Storm the early lead. Conversion attempt by Cooper Cronk unsuccessful. Melbourne Storm 4-0

12 min: The Eels get a great chance after a mistake by the winger Anderson, however Inu can't keep hold of the ball and may have injured himself in the process

14 min: TRY Melbourne Storm Joseph Tomane runs the length of the field to score after Parramatta throw away a supreme chance to score down the other end. Conversion attempt by Cooper Cronk successful. Melbourne Storm 10-0

19 min: VIDEO REF: Possible try to Parramatta

19 min: TRY Parramatta Eels Taulima Tautai scores in the corner, with lead up work from Joel Reddy and a Brett Finch bomb. Conversion attempt by Luke Burt successful. Melbourne Storm 10-6

22 min: Eels receive a penalty after Brett Finch is hit after kicking, however Sam Joe intercepts for the Storm and the pressure is off

26 min: Another penalty to the Eels after Joel Reddy is taken out in backplay, Parramatta on the attack

28 min: TRY Parramatta Eels Tony Williams goes over after some great lead up work by Krisnan Inu. Conversion attempt by Luke Burt successful. Parramatta Eels 12-10

31 min: Parramatta get another penalty for a late hit on the kicker, Eels attacking

32 min: TRY Parramatta Eels An easy try for the Eels, Joel Reddy scores his tenth of the season. Conversion attempt by Luke Burt successful. Parramatta Eels 18-10

38 min: The Eels throw a forward pass giving the Storm a chance to hit back before half time

39 min: Six more tackles for Melbourne, their last chance to score before the half time hooter

40 min: The pressure is off as the Storm lose the ball forward

HALF TIME - After a couple of early scares the Eels have run in 3 tries in 12 minutes to go into half time leading by 18-10. Penalties: Eels 5-1.

41 min: Kris Inu starts the second half

47 min: SIN BIN: Tony Williams is sent to the sin bin for taking out Brett Anderson

48 min: The Storm are help up and get a repeat set after Reddy is tackled in goal

49 min: The Eels are down to eleven defensive players as Joel Reddy is being attended to for a blood bin

51 min: Brett Finch shows a cool head, kicking the ball into touch to chew up some time until Williams returns from the sin bin

55 min: The Storm blow a great chance after a Cooper Cronk chips and regathers but the play ends with a forward pass

57 min: Tony Williams returns from the sin bin

60 min: Parramatta are struggling to hold the ball, as Riddell spills it after what looked like a promising attacking chance

61 min: VIDEO REF: Possible try to the Storm

61 min: TRY Melbourne Storm Sam Joe flies high to retrieve the ball and passes for Sika Manu to score his second try. Conversion attempt by Steve Turner successful. Parramatta Eels 18-16

64 min: Eels get another penalty for roughing up the kicker, Eels with a great attacking chance

66 min: TRY Parramatta Eels Feleti Mateo passes for Krisnan Inu to score an easy try. Conversion attempt by Luke Burt successful. Parramatta Eels 24-16

71 min: Parramatta now have a chance to put the game to bed, they get a penalty and are on the attack 20 meters out from the try line

73 min: VIDEO REF: Possible try to Parramatta

73 min: NO TRY: Luke Burt scores in the corner but is disallowed for obstruction

77 min: TRY Melbourne Storm Cooper Cronk dummies and breezes through soft defence to set up a grandstand finish. Conversion attempt by Steve Turner successful. Parramatta Eels 24-22

79 min: Cronk kicks into touch and the Eels should be safe from here

80 min: FULL TIME: Parramatta run out very unconvincing winners by 24-22. Penalties: Eels 7-3