Parramatta get redemption in entertaining clash

Parra have earnt redemption from their 2009 grand final loss defeating Melbourne 24-10 at home tonight.

The Parramatta fans made their intentions clear when they booed the Storm as they entered the field and had further reason to when Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater combined for Melbourne's first try! Cameron Smith converted amongst chants of "cheats, cheats" to give his side a 6-0 lead.

Parramatta used that try as a wake up call, reverting back to the style of football that led them to the 2009 grand final, opening Melbourne up a few times. This approach reaped some rewards twenty-six minutes in when Melbourne's defence couldn't scramble any more and Inu strolled in and Burt converted to draw level.

They repeated the dose six minutes later when Hayne went on a run and held off Greg Inglis before passing to Joel Reddy who collected his first try of the night but the advantage would only be four at the end of an entertaining first half when Burt put one wide.

Parramatta showed they were really back in form when they continued in the same vein in the second half, with a few unsuccessful raids but they finally cracked the Storm line from an amazing kick which landed in Reddy's hands for his second of the night. Burt's conversion gave Parramatta a ten point gap.

Burt stepped up again a few minutes later to slot an easy penalty goal from 40 metres out making it a two try gap. From then though the game exploded firstly with Jarryd Hayne putting his State of Origin two hopes in serious trouble with a headbutt on fellow fullback Billy Slater.

Following on Daniel Mortimer and Billy Slater got into a heated exchange with both given a ten minute rest to cool their heads.

Once the two players stints in the bin was completed, Parramatta wrapped up the game with double digit offloads finished by Kris Keating and Luke Burt kicking the goal to give Parramatta a 24-6 advantage.

Melbourne would gain a measure of respect back in the last minute following a penalty, Brett Finch would swivel and put a picture perfect kick in for Greg Inglis to score the try but tonight would belong to Parramatta gaining a measure of revenge on their heartbreaking grand final loss.

Match Details
Parramatta Eels 24 defeated Melbourne Storm 10
National Rugby League - NRL - Round 13 - Friday June 4, 2010 7:35pm
Venue: Parramatta Stadium
Referee: Tony Archer and Gerard Sutton
Video Referee: Steve Clark
Touch Judges: Paul Holland and Gavin Morris
Crowd: 7,572
Halftime: Parramatta Eels 10 Melbourne Storm 6

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Tim Mannah
2 Points - Jarryd Hayne
1 Point - Ben Smith

Parramatta Eels (24)
Tries: Joel Reddy (2), Krisnan Inu, Kris Keating
Conversions: Luke Burt (3/4)
Penalty Goals: Luke Burt (1/1)

Melbourne Storm (10)
Tries: Greg Inglis, Billy Slater
Conversions: Cameron Smith (1/2)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary Welcome to Parramatta Stadium for what will be an emotional contest between Parramatta and Melbourne. These two sides met in last year's grand final, with Melbourne running out winners only to be stripped in the largest penalty in NRL history months later.
Earlier tonight in the u20's Melbourne were victorious 29-22.
There is one change for the Parramatta side with Krisnan Inu coming in for Eric Grothe and Melbourne will welcome back skipper Cameron Smith but are otherwise 1-17.
If you have any opinions on tonight's game twitter me at @DragonPunk12, would like to hear from all fans.
A nice reception for the Storm as they make their way onto the field, contrasted with a roar for the Parramatta boys.
1 min: Melbourne get the hostilites under way!
3 min: First penalty to the home side, with Cooper Cronk holding on too long.
6 min: Too early is the word from the referee, that gives Melbourne their first and a forae into Parramatta's territory.
8 min: TRY
Cooper Cronk puts a lovely kick through for Billy Slater who beats all the Eels defenders to the ball to score! Smith has no worries with the kick.
Melbourne Storm 6-0
10 min: An easy piggyback for Melbourne here again for offside.
11 min: Penalty for Parramatta as Tahu is taken out while contesting for the ball.
12 min: The flashy yellow boots couldn't save Krisnan Inu when Parramatta spread it wide but he touches the line.
16 min: Both sides with some attacking football here but after a 90 metre set Mortimer kicks it straight down MacDougall's throat. 20 metre tap.
18 min: Parramatta are showing glimpses of the 2009 back end run here with a long attacking set, they get a good result after MacDougall juggles and drops the ball.
19 min: Poor service from the dummy-half here throwing it too low and Ben Smith drops it.
20 min: Ben Smith redeems himself from his drop a minute ago by forcing one from Ryan Hoffman.
22 min: Moi Moi gives us the early contentor for BRUT big hit of the round for this hit on Sika Manu.
26 min: TRY
Parramatta show some of their attacking prowess and eventually Melbourne couldn't contain it any longer and Inu strolls in and scores!
6 all
29 min: Billy Slater tries to throw a cut-out ball to Neilson but it goes into row G.
31 min: Possible try to Joel Reddy..
32 min: TRY
Parramatta hit the front with Jarryd Hayne standing up Inglis and throwing the hail mary out to Reddy who gets it down! Burt shaves it wide.
Parramatta Eels 10-6
35 min: Parramatta with a pinpoint bomb here trapping Billy Slater in goal.
37 min: Inu tries to collect his second but is met by a wall and taken over the sideline.
40 min: A scrambling effort to end the first half with Melbourne throwing some tricks at the Eels but they hold on. This has been an entertaining first half of football.
41 min: Luke Burt resumes an entertaining clash.
43 min: A short side raid by Finch is grinded to a halt from a forward pass, if he was Thurston he may of given the referee a spray there.
44 min: Robson this time the reciepent drops it, may of gone backwards though.
46 min: Melbourne are saved from a knock on after Keating is penalised for being in the way.
47 min: Ryan Hinchcliffe drops it early in the count, giving Parramatta a full set in Melbourne's half.
49 min: Ben Smith the destroyer puts a great hit on Hoffman who can't walk straight! Slater from the ensuing play the ball loses it. Parramatta getting on a roll.
52 min: Brett Finch could have a try of an amazing piece of play!
53 min: NO TRY! Cronk from his own half kicks it across field for Inglis who swats two players away, offloads and Melbourne swing it wide back to Hoffman who gives it Finch who runs in to score but he obstructed a Parramatta player.
57 min: Possible Parramatta try..
57 min: TRY
An amazing kick from Parramatta who kick from wing to wing and it bounces straight into Joel Reddy's mits and scores! Burt slots it!
Parramatta Eels 16-6
59 min: Ryan Hoffman has reinjured his knee and won't be back tonight.
60 min: Tom Humble has a few grabs and drops the ball but the big story here is FuiFui MoiMoi is out but he on his feet!
60 min: Parramatta get a penalty after Steven Clark has a look and White took MoiMoi out and is put on report.
61 min: PENALTY GOAL
They elect to go for penalty goal and Burt oliges and converts!
Parramatta Eels 18-6
63 min: Jarryd Hayne has been put on report here for a heabutt, oh dear puts his origin hopes in the judicary's hands.
64 min: Mortimer has been sent to the bin!
64 min: Shortly joined by Billy Slater!
75 min: TRY
Parramatta wrap up the game with offloads galore getting to Keating who scores the winner! Burt converts the goal!
Parramatta Eels 24-6
76 min: Possible try to Duffie here..
77 min: That is a bad call! NO TRY to Duffie, it's judged that Tahu held him up.
78 min: Mateo drops the ball right on halfway
79 min: Penalty as Mannah plays at the hand of a Melbourne player!
80 min: TRY
Melbourne takes the final try of the game with Finch swerving and putting in a nice kick for Inglis to go over! Smith misses the conversion and that's a win for the Eels.
Parramatta Eels 24-10