PARRAMATTA EELS 10 MELBOURNE STORM 16
CALLUM WALKER, CommBank Stadium, Thursday
MELBOURNE just about hung on against a stubborn Parramatta that rued a number of missed chances.
The Storm were hardly at their free-flowing best, but it was Craig Bellamy’s side that broke the deadlock on 17 minutes when Eliesa Katoa dotted down. Ryan Papenhuyzen, who had a terrible night with the boot, missed the conversion as Melbourne led 4-0.
Zac Lomax wasn’t exactly pinpoint with his own boot either as he missed the conversion to Josh Addo-Carr’s own four-pointer with the half-hour in sight.
But it was Melbourne that went into the sheds in front courtesy of a Tui Kamikamica effort. This time Papenhuyzen was on target for a 10-4 lead – the only time he would be all night as the Storm fullback missed the opportunity to make it 12-4 on the stroke of half-time.
Lomax was again wayward with his second conversion when Charlie Guymer crossed on 47 minutes, but the Parramatta winger did level proceedings after a Cameron Munster escort.
But, the visitors restored their lead with eleven minutes to go, Xavier Coates rising highest to claim a kick and finally Nick Meaney’s conversion made it 16-10.
And, try as they might, the Eels just couldn’t convert their chances into points as Melbourne held on.
EELS: 1 Joash Papalii, 2 Zac Lomax, 3 Will Penisini, 4 Sean Russell, 5 Josh Addo-Carr, 6 Dean Hawkins, 7 Mitchell Moses, 8 J’maine Hopgood, 9 Ryley Smith, 10 Junior Paulo, 11 Charlie Guymer, 12 Jack Williams, 15 Luca Moretti. Subs (all used): 13 Dylan Walker, 14 Tallyn Da Silva, 16 Matt Doorey, 17 Sam Tuivaiti
Tries: Addo-Carr (25), Guymer (45); Goals: Lomax 1/3
STORM: 1 Ryan Papenhuyzen, 2 Grant Anderson, 3 Jack Howarth, 4 Nick Meaney, 5 Xavier Coates, 6 Cameron Munster, 7 Tyran Wishart, 8 Stefano Utoikamanu, 9 Harry Grant, 10 Josh King, 11 Shawn Blore, 12 Eliesa Katoa, 15 Ativalu Lisati. Subs (all used): 13 Tui Kamikamica, 14 Jonah Pezet, 16 Bronson Garlick, 17 Joe Chan
Tries: Katoa (17), Kamikamica (34), Coates (70); Goals: Papenhuyzen 1/4, Meaney 1/1
SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-4, 4-4, 4-10; 8-10, 10-10, 10-16
Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Eels: Jack Williams; Storm: Stefano Utoikamanu
Penalty count: 10-7; Half-time: 4-10; Referee: Gerard Sutton; Attendance: 9,402