NYC Rd 20 Parramatta 22 Melbourne 28

by NRL

A horrendous first half error rate has cost the Pirtek Parramatta Eels NYC side dearly at Parramatta Stadium, with the team going down 28-22 to the Melbourne Storm.

The Eels simply couldn't hold onto the ball in the first half and were guilty of fundamental errors, allowing the Storm repeated attacks at their line which the visitors took full advantage.

Four tries to one capped a terrific start for Melbourne but they didn't get it all their way when the second stanza began, with the Eels tightening up their line and threatening to score points of their own.

But again it was Melbourne who were able to execute and effectively put the match out of reach for the Eels when Ben Andrews accelerated from 10 metres out to score under the posts.

The Jack Joass conversion made the score 22-4 with 20 minutes to play but it wasn't long until Eels fans got their chance to celebrate, with John Folau crossing in the left corner to bring the score back to 22-10.

Lock Jamil Hopoate almost pegged another one back for the Eels with a terrific individual run, cut down just 5 metres from the line by some desperate Melbourne defence.

A melee was sparked on the ensuing play and despite it appearing to be instigated by the visitors it was the Eels who copped the penalty.

It was left to Melbourne winger Richard Kenner to rub salt in the Eels' wound, scoring from a strong individual effort up the other end of the field minutes later, before Folau again pegged back the deficit with his second for the night.

A Parramatta try with 4 minutes remaining made for an exciting final few minutes but Melbourne held their nerve to record their eighth win of the season.

The 28-22 loss - Parramatta's 13th of the season - leaves the Blue and Golds a distant 7-points back from the Toyota Cup top-eight ahead of next week's clash against the Brisbane Broncos.

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