Parramatta Eels vs Melbourne Storm: NRL live scores, blog

 
Alan Nicolea Roar Guru
 

By , 21 Jul 2012 Alan Nicolea is a Roar Guru & Live Blogger

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    LIVE SCORES

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    Parramatta Vs. Melbourne

    2012 NRL Premiership Season, 22 July, 2012
    Parramatta Stadium, NSW
    Parramatta 16 defeated Melbourne 10
    Parramatta Melbourne
    16 FINAL SCORE 10
    3 TRIES 2
    2/3 CONVERSION KICKS 1/2
    0/0 PENALTY GOALS 0/0
    0/0 FIELD GOAL 0/0
     
    Top scorers:
    • Parramatta - Nathan Hindmarsh 4pts (1T 0G)
    • Melbourne - Ryan Hoffman 4pts (1T 0G)
    Important moments:
    • Parramatta took the lead at the 10 min. mark 1st half
    • Ryan Hoffman (Melb) scored at the 77 min. mark 2nd half
     
    Referee: S Lyons
    Touch judges: Adam Reid & B Wood
    Sports Highlights

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    Melbourne Storm have hit a wall and must beat wooden spoon contenders the Parramatta Eels tonight if they are to stop their season going into freefall. Join us for live scores and commentary from 7.30pm AEST.

    It’s not often that a team sitting in first position on the NRL ladder is struggling for confidence.

    But on the back of three straight losses Melbourne’s stranglehold on the minor premiership has loosened big time and they simply must respond tonight with a win against Parramatta.

    For the first time in many moons, a relatively full strength Storm outfit was outmuscled and outplayed at home by a Cowboys outfit that simply had all the answers en route to a 20-16 victory.

    Not even the late inclusion of captain Cameron Smith was enough to stop the Cowboys from causing the upset and condemning Melbourne to their second straight defeat at their AAMI Park fortress.

    The Eels meanwhile were competitive against the Bulldogs last week, but still found themselves on the end of a 20-point hiding against their great rivals.

    With Jarryd Hayne still sidelined with injury, the Eels will continue to struggle in the point scoring department, particularly against a Storm outfit which is desperate to make a statement tonight.

    Prediction

    After starting the season so strongly, Melbourne is vulnerable at the moment and could be in for a rude shock if they play below their best tonight.

    The Eels at home will be keen to further derail the Storm’s premiership campaign and should be expected to start with plenty of enthusiasm.

    If Parramatta can somehow score the first try, it will go a long way to unsettling a Storm side currently struggling for form and confidence.

    Melbourne however will also be very keen on a fast start, knowing full well that a loss here could have tragic consequences for the rest of their season.

    With this in mind, expect stars Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk to lead the way and play with the class and intensity required that will allow Melbourne to get into its groove.

    With their premiership credentials going on the line tonight, the Storm should be favoured to do just enough to beat Parramatta in a game that could be closer than expected.

    Storm by 12

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