The Thunderbolts have defeated Parramatta in an entertaining NYC fixture at AAMI Park on Sunday. After trailing for most of the match, the home team surged in the second half to snatch victory from the Eels.
Melbourne got on the front foot right from the kick off capitalising on their positive start, the home side opened scoring through Suliasi Vunivalu to take an early 4-0 lead.
The contest remained an arm wrestle for much of the first half, with late efforts from Parramatta’s Tepai Moera and Ryan Matterson giving the visitors a 12-4 lead into half time.
The Eels kept the pressure on, testing the Thunderbolts defence early in the second half with two quick tries.
However, the Thunderbolts rallied and delivered a much-needed response through Jake Turpin’s try, followed by a Munster conversion.
Charlie Galo produced an impressive solo effort, charging through three Parramatta defenders to score, with another successful conversion tightening the score line to 16-22.
The home side continued to press, keeping the ball in the attacking half and showing intent to score. Momentum proved to be a key advantage and two tries gave Melbourne what had once seemed an unlikely lead with four minutes to play.
Parramatta gave home fans a scare in a quick attack in the dying minutes of the match, but were unable to respond to Melbourne’s impressive come-from-behind effort—the Thunderbolts going home victors 26-22.
Melbourne Storm 26
Tries: Suliasi Vunivalu, Jake Tupin, Charlie Galo, Tony Tumusa, Francis Tualau
Goals: Cameron Munster 3
Parramatta Eels 22
Tries: Ryan Matterson, Tepai Moeroa, Nathan Davis, Jack Anderson
Goals: Nathan Davis 3
