Storm sneak home over Eels

STORM 14
EELS 10

MELBOURNE halfback Cooper Cronk saved his side's perfect home record and possibly the minor premiership as the Storm escaped with a 14-10 win over Parramatta at Olympic Park tonight.

Melbourne haven't been beaten at home this season but looked like losing that record as Parramatta fought back to almost knock over the competition leaders.

With 12 minutes remaining in the match the Eels sent the ball through quick hands and winger Eric Grothe dived across the line but a flying tackle by Cronk did enough to loosen his grip on the ball, with video referee Bill Harrigan ruling no try.

It would have handed the visitors the lead after they trailed 14-4 at halftime.

The Storm looked like they may have run away with the match after a dominant first-half performance but the third-placed Eels showed that they too are premiership contenders.

Both sides came out after the break fired up and it took until the 60th minute for any second half points to be registered.

First half villain Krisnan Inu, whose error handed Melbourne fullback Billy Slater a try in the 33rd minute, turned hero for his side when he leapt high above his opposite Matt Geyer and then touched down, with his own conversion from the sideline closing the lead to just four points.
Inu's first half blunder came after Cronk put a neat kick through and winger Matt Geyer managed to throw the ball back into the field of play as he was going into touch.

It was picked up by Inu, who rather than take the tackle, repeated the feat and this time Storm fullback Billy Slater pounced on the ball and managed to ground it.

Harrigan ruled the benefit of the doubt, with Melbourne out to a 10-point lead.

The signs weren't good early for Parramatta as they were forced to bounce back from two blows.

They lost halfback Tim Smith to what appeared to be a dislocated shoulder just four minutes into the match and then the Storm scored a minute later.

Smith's night looked over as he left the field clutching his arm after he damaged his shoulder while attempting to tackle a rampaging Clint Newton, however he made a surprise return 26 minutes into the match.

Melbourne took advantage of the uncertainty in the visitors' ranks as their skipper Cameron Smith took the ball from dummy half and charged straight through Eels captain Nathan Cayless.
Parramatta's first-half try was also scored by Grothe after a sweeping backline move.

After a week where the "grapple tackle" was a hot issue with both clubs, referee Tony Archer pounced on anything high.

Parramatta centre Timana Tahu was placed on report in the 25th minute for an alleged high tackle on Slater, who came in for plenty of attention during the half.

Former representative forward Michael Crocker's return to the NRL after shoulder surgery could be short-lived after he was placed on report in the 43rd minute for an alleged high shot on Eels prop Fuifui Moimoi.

MELBOURNE 14 (C Smith, B Slater tries; C Smith 3 goals)
PARRAMATTA 10 (E Grothe, K Inu tries; K Inu goal)
Referee: Tony Archer.
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