Parramatta 18
Melbourne 16
SYDNEY - A Jarryd Hayne-inspired Parramatta kept alive their flickering finals aspirations last night with victory over a fast-finishing Melbourne Storm at Parramatta Stadium.
In the battle of the game's best fullbacks in Hayne and Billy Slater, the Eels produced a spirited display both in defence and attack to inflict a sixth defeat this season on the 2007 premiers.
Hayne played a key role in two of his side's three tries as they tasted victory for only the sixth time this year - in front of a raucous crowd of 10,804 - and held off a late rally from the Storm.
Hayne was at his brilliant best for Parramatta's opening try as he managed to keep in touch after a surging run, before flicking a pass to Jeff Robson, who raced through to score in the 12th minute.
Fuifui Moimoi then bulldozed over from close range eight minutes later, with Luke Burt converting.
With the Eels ahead 10-0, the Storm started the second half strongly, pinning the home side back in their own half in the early exchanges before Ryan Hoffman crept through a gap in the Eels' defence after being teed up by debutant Luke Kelly on 49 minutes.
Joseph Tomane's conversion reduced the deficit to four points, but that setback galvanised the Eels, who extended their advantage to 12-6 through a Burt penalty goal.
Todd Lowrie then added a third try for the hosts after finishing a sparkling set instigated by Hayne, his side going out to a comfortable 18-6 lead.
Dane Nielsen reacted fastest to a Slater grubber to score for the Storm on 71 minutes and Tomane made it a nervous finale with a converted try after going over in the right-hand corner.
Anderson revealed after the game that Hindmarsh refused to run out to a line-up from both sides in recognition of his landmark.
"It was great for Nate's 250th game that we won and the boys played for 80 minutes and mirrored what he does every week," Anderson said.
"We tried to make it a milestone occasion but he didn't want to know. He thought we were all going to run out behind him but we let him run 20 metres and then stopped," Anderson said.
"I wanted to have two lines for him to run out to but he wanted to have a goal kick which was never going to happen!"
Storm coach Craig Bellamy had no complaints with the result and admitted the closeness flattered his side.
"We got off to a slow start and they were quicker to do everything in the first 20 minutes, but I thought our effort was good," he said.
"We had a few younger guys in the team and were down in numbers and I thought we lacked intensity and and speed."
Bellamy also revealed Dallas Johnson (neck) and Ryan Hoffman (hamstring) picked up injuries and are doubtful for Saturday's clash with Cronulla, with Smith also unlikely to recover in time for the Sharks' visit to Olympic Park.
- AAP
