Storm warning finishes Eels for
2003

The Melbourne Storm have stamped their mark on the top eight following a 50-12 thrashing of the Parramatta Eels at Olympic Park today.

The Eels showed promise early on but with Matt Orford calling the shots, the Storm ran in three tries to one to post a handy 18-8 lead at half time.

With the wind at their backs, the Storm came out firing in the second half, running in six tries to blow away the visitors and snuff out any hope of a Parramatta charge towards the top eight.

STORM 50 Tries: Slater 3, Moala, Orford, Bell, Smith, Williams, Bai Goals: Orford 6/8, Smith 1/2 defeated EELS 12 Tries: Hopkins, Moodie Goals: Witt 2/3

Sunday 17 August 2003 3:00 PM Olympic Park Melbourne Referee: Bill Harrigan Video Referee: Phil Cooley

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 - M Orford (Storm) 2 - M Geyer (Storm) 1 - C Smith (Storm)

By the clock by Christopher Atkinson: 0 min: Kick Off!

6 min: PENALTY GOAL - Eels. Kicked by Michael Witt. Eels 2-0

10 min: PENALTY GOAL - Storm. Kicked by Matt Orford. 2-all

16 min: TRY - Eels. Scored by Lee Hopkins converted by Michael Witt. Eels 8-2

28 min: TRY - Storm. Scored by Billy Slater and converted by Matt Orford. 8-all

31 min: TRY - Storm. Scored by Fifita Moala. Conversion attempt unsuccessful by Matt Orford. Storm 12-8

37 min: TRY - Storm. Scored by Matt Orford and converted by Matt Orford. Storm 18-8

HALF TIME: After a promising first 20-25 minutes from the Eels the Storm came storming back into the game with 3 quick tries with Matt Orford guiding the Storm around the park brilliantly. If the Eels can't manage stop Orford they will have to start planning their Mad Monday celebrations earlier than they would like.

40 min: Kick Off to the 2nd Half. The Eels have an uphill battle to reel in the Storm as they are running into a stiff breeze.

45 min: The Eels are struggling to get out of their own half.

47 min: The video referee is called to adjudicate on a possible Billy Slater try after Slater ran onto a Matt Orford grubber. The ruling is that Slater missed the ball and the Eels live to fight on.

56 min: TRY - Storm. Scored by Steven Bell after he beat Matt Petersen to a David Kidwell kick. Matt Orford misses the conversion. Storm 22-8

56 min: NEWS - Amongst the celebration of another Storm try there is also despair as Scott Hill is taken from the field with an injured shoulder in his 1st game back from injury.

62 min: TRY - Storm. Cameron Smith dummies his way to another Storm try after some brilliant lead up work by Stephen Kearney and Matt Geyer. Matt Orford is successful with the conversion. Storm 28-8

66 min: TRY - Storm. Billy Slater scores his 2nd try of the afternoon. Matt Orford converts. Storm 34-8

71 min: TRY - Storm. Billy Slater crosses for his hat trick and Matt Orford converts. Storm 40-8

74 min: TRY - Eels. Jason Moodie gets a consolation try for the Eels but it is too little too late as Michael Witt misses the conversion. Storm 40-12

77 min: TRY - Storm. Danny Williams crosses over for a try as the Storm's tally continues to mount. Cameron Smith converts. Storm 46-12

79 min: TRY - Storm. Olympic Park's favourite son Marcus Bai scores a try as Melbourne hit the half century mark. Cameron Smith is unsuccessful with his conversion attempt as the fulltime siren sounds.

For the Storm it is a warning for the rest of the top 8 that they shouldn't be taken lightly and for the Eels it's back to the drawing board for next year. Storm 50-12