StephenP
ArnoldStorm surge to summit
May 31st 2008 09:16
The Melbourne Storm have rocketed to the top of the NRL competition ladder courtesy of a slick 46-0 demolition of a spare parts Canterbury Bulldogs outfit at Olympic Park tonight.
Missing 11 regular first-graders, the Bulldogs were always going to be against the eight ball considering they were up against a full strength Storm outfit, and were never in the contest in the face of an eight try onslaught from the 2007 defending NRL premiers.
The Storm went right on with the job after holding a 28-0 lead, with Melbourne’s only real concerns pertaining to the fitness of fullback Billy Slater who landed awkwardly after attempting to spectacularly claim a Bulldogs high kick.
After repelling a few of Canterbury’s early attacking raids, it was Melbourne captain Cameron Smith that opened the scoring in the 13th minute through a simple dummy half barge over try.
Melbourne extended their lead in the 25th minute through a try to utility Matt Geyer, the Melbourne veteran finishing off a dynamic charge from fullback Billy Slater to dive over for his first try of season ’08.
And with that, the Melbourne juggernaut kicked into gear on just third ruck from the restart, with lock Dallas Johnson charging fifty metres downfield before linking with fellow backrower Michael Crocker, who in turn found Israel Folau who dived over amidst the attention of Bulldogs winger Hazem El Masri.
And it was good as game over when Storm winger Steve Turner crossed for his side’s fourth try in the 34th minute, with a further try to Jeremy Smith allowing the Storm to hold a commanding 28-0 half-time lead.
After having two earlier attempts thwarted by desperate, last ditch Bulldogs defence, the Storm pushed out to a 34-0 lead in the 47th minute when Crocker dotted down off the back of a precision Cooper Cronk grubber kick.
Further tries to Geyer and Cronk completed the rout.
Melbourne Storm 46
Tries: Matt Geyer 2, Cameron Smith, Israel Folau, Steve Turner, Jeremy Smith, Michael Crocker, Cooper Cronk
Goals: Cameron Smith 7
defeated
Canterbury Bulldogs 0
Tries:
Goals:
At Olympic Park
Referee – Shayne Hayne
In Saturday Nights other Mathes,
The New Zealand Warriors have secured their first victory away from home, holding off a fast finishing Newcastle Knights 18-16 at Energy Australia Stadium.
A 79th minute penalty goal to late Warriors replacement Patrick Ah Van got the Warriors home in a thriller.
New Zealand Warriors 18
Tries: Michael Crockett, Patrick Ah Van, Ian Henderson
Goals: Patrick Ah Van 3
defeated
Newcastle Knights 16
Tries: Adam McDougall, Chris Bailey, James McManus
Goals: Wes Naiqama 2
At Energy Australia Stadium
An 88th minute, golden point field goal from Penrith utility Jarrod Sammut has seen the Panthers escape 19-18 over the North Queensland Cowboys at a vocal Dairy Farmers Stadium.
Cowboys fullback Ashley Graham pushed the match into extra-time courtesy of a try in the final play of normal time, with Sammut missing 2 earlier one-point shots before securing the Panthers position inside the NRL top eight.
Penrith Panthers 19
Tries: Luke Rooney, Brad Tighe, Michael Jennings
Goals: Jarrod Sammut 3, field goal
defeated
North QLD Cowboys 18
Tries: Travis Burns, Daniel Abraham, Ashley Graham
Goals: Johnathan Thurston 2, Travis Burns
At Dairy Farmers Stadium
Missing 11 regular first-graders, the Bulldogs were always going to be against the eight ball considering they were up against a full strength Storm outfit, and were never in the contest in the face of an eight try onslaught from the 2007 defending NRL premiers.
The Storm went right on with the job after holding a 28-0 lead, with Melbourne’s only real concerns pertaining to the fitness of fullback Billy Slater who landed awkwardly after attempting to spectacularly claim a Bulldogs high kick.
After repelling a few of Canterbury’s early attacking raids, it was Melbourne captain Cameron Smith that opened the scoring in the 13th minute through a simple dummy half barge over try.
Melbourne extended their lead in the 25th minute through a try to utility Matt Geyer, the Melbourne veteran finishing off a dynamic charge from fullback Billy Slater to dive over for his first try of season ’08.
And with that, the Melbourne juggernaut kicked into gear on just third ruck from the restart, with lock Dallas Johnson charging fifty metres downfield before linking with fellow backrower Michael Crocker, who in turn found Israel Folau who dived over amidst the attention of Bulldogs winger Hazem El Masri.
And it was good as game over when Storm winger Steve Turner crossed for his side’s fourth try in the 34th minute, with a further try to Jeremy Smith allowing the Storm to hold a commanding 28-0 half-time lead.
After having two earlier attempts thwarted by desperate, last ditch Bulldogs defence, the Storm pushed out to a 34-0 lead in the 47th minute when Crocker dotted down off the back of a precision Cooper Cronk grubber kick.
Further tries to Geyer and Cronk completed the rout.
Melbourne Storm 46
Tries: Matt Geyer 2, Cameron Smith, Israel Folau, Steve Turner, Jeremy Smith, Michael Crocker, Cooper Cronk
Goals: Cameron Smith 7
defeated
Canterbury Bulldogs 0
Tries:
Goals:
At Olympic Park
Referee – Shayne Hayne
In Saturday Nights other Mathes,
The New Zealand Warriors have secured their first victory away from home, holding off a fast finishing Newcastle Knights 18-16 at Energy Australia Stadium.
A 79th minute penalty goal to late Warriors replacement Patrick Ah Van got the Warriors home in a thriller.
New Zealand Warriors 18
Tries: Michael Crockett, Patrick Ah Van, Ian Henderson
Goals: Patrick Ah Van 3
defeated
Newcastle Knights 16
Tries: Adam McDougall, Chris Bailey, James McManus
Goals: Wes Naiqama 2
At Energy Australia Stadium
An 88th minute, golden point field goal from Penrith utility Jarrod Sammut has seen the Panthers escape 19-18 over the North Queensland Cowboys at a vocal Dairy Farmers Stadium.
Cowboys fullback Ashley Graham pushed the match into extra-time courtesy of a try in the final play of normal time, with Sammut missing 2 earlier one-point shots before securing the Panthers position inside the NRL top eight.
Penrith Panthers 19
Tries: Luke Rooney, Brad Tighe, Michael Jennings
Goals: Jarrod Sammut 3, field goal
defeated
North QLD Cowboys 18
Tries: Travis Burns, Daniel Abraham, Ashley Graham
Goals: Johnathan Thurston 2, Travis Burns
At Dairy Farmers Stadium
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