Match Summary:

The Melbourne Storm have defeated the St-George Illawarra Dragons 24-10 in a grinding NRL match in Sydney tonight (Saturday).The Storm led 10-4 at halftime and apart from a nervous first half hour rarely looked troubled by the injury-riddled Dragons.

The Storm crossed the line in only the fourth minute, however the possible try to Steve Turner was ruled out for a knock on.

The Dragons opened the scoring the ninth minute, with a Wes Naiqama try following great lead up play by the Dragons, with Matt Cooper running onto a pass at speed and offloading to Naiqama who dotted down for a 4-0 lead.

The Storm had a number of scoring opportunities, however they were let down by poor finishing and struggled with the Dragons good defence. Finally, they did cross with Steve Turner scoring the first of his two tries, including a circus act juggle before getting the ball down out wide. Cameron Smith’s only successful goal put the Storm up 6-4.

Six minutes later Turner completed his first half double with a very similar effort dotting down out wide for a 10-4 half time lead.

Ten minutes after half time, the Storm bounced out to a commanding 14-4 lead following a great Billy Slater grubber kick for the NRL’s leading try-scorer, Israel Folau.

The Dragons very briefly looked to be dragging themselves back into the clash after a stunning Josh Morris run drew the scores back to 14-10, however only minutes later Matt King pushed past several defenders to put the Storm lead back out to eight points. A final Anthony Quinn try with nine minutes to go completely sealed the game at 24-10.

Next week the undefeated Storm host the Panthers in Melbourne, while the Dragons look to arrest their four match losing streak against the bye.

Live Commentary:

We are not too far away from kickoff at Kogarah this evening. Not a great crowd in, weather looks alright.

INJURY UPDATE - Greg Inglis will not be playing tonight, nor in the upcoming test due to his knee injury.

Both teams taking to the field...

1 min: Underway at Oki Doki Jubilee Stadium...

2 min: Off the back of an early penalty/mistake by the Storm, the Dragons go on attack.

3 min: The Storm hold out the early challenge, the Dragons try to run the ball 10 out and Richard Williams throws a forward pass.

4 min: VIDEO REF - For a Storm try...

4 min: NO TRY - PENALTY - The Storm spin the ball wide to Turner who loses the ball short of the line, however Tom Hewitt is penalised for a high tackle on Turner moments before the knock on.

6 min: Cronk puts in a chip kick that is taken brilliantly on the full in the in goal by Josh Morris.

9 min: TRY St George Illawarra Dragons
The Dragons get the ball to Cooper who beats a defender and passes to Naiqama who scores in the corner. Conversion attempt by Wes Naiqama unsuccessful.
St George Illawarra Dragons 4-0

13 min: Naiqama comes out of the line to smash Anthony Quinn, however Naiqama is now injured.

14 min: Care of a penalty the Storm go on attack from just past halfway, the Storm lead the penalty count 3-2.

15 min: The Storm put up a bomb, Hornby is penalised for blocking Israel Folau from getting to Naiqama who was catching the bomb just out from the goal line.

16 min: The Dragons are penalised again, this time for a dangerous tackle, 5-2 the penalty count. One play later the Storm are penalised for an obstruction. 5-3. The Dragons goal line defence has been very good thus far.

17 min: Hornby is penalised for an obstruction 40 out from his own line.

18 min: The Storm throw a pass to nobody, only 10 out from the Dragons line and the Dragons survive again.

22 min: A nothing chip kick from the Dragons gives the Storm possession on halfway.

22 min: Cronk puts in a chip for Folau that is cleaned up by Morris.

28 min: Again, the Storm lose the ball while on attack. The Dragons respond by losing the ball 15 out from their own line, eventually the Dragons have to crack.

30 min: TRY Melbourne Storm
The Storm go left, a quick exchange of passes gets to Turner who darts for the line, loses the ball in the air, recovers it and dives over in the corner. Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith successful.
Melbourne Storm 6-4

35 min: The Storm go on attack following another poor Dragons option.

36 min: TRY Melbourne Storm
A great move by the Storm in a small amount of space has Turner crossing out wide for his second try of the night. Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith unsuccessful.
Melbourne Storm 10-4

39 min: An attempted Storm 40/20 bounces into the ingoal and gets the Storm a line dropout with a minute and a half remaining.

40 min: Brett White puts the ball down, letting the Dragons off the hook.

HALF TIME: In an interesting clash.

Teams returning to the field.

40 min: Back underway!

49 min: Both teams putting in some solid defence, Richard Williams nearly picks up a 40/20, but the ball ends up just going out on the full.

50 min: TRY Melbourne Storm
Slater puts in a grubber for Folau, he outpaces the other chasers and again, scores out wide. Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith unsuccessful.
Melbourne Storm 14-4

56 min: The Storm still look threatening, but can't land the killer punch as a pass to Slater is ruled forward.

57 min: TRY St George Illawarra Dragons
A short ball to Josh Morris puts him into a gap and he races 55 metres to score and keep the Dragons in the contest. Conversion attempt by Wes Naiqama successful.
Melbourne Storm 14-10

60 min: The Dragons give away a penalty for interfering with the play the ball and the Storm go on attack 20 out...

61 min: TRY Melbourne Storm
The ball goes wide to King who bustles through the defence to score out wide. Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith unsuccessful.
Melbourne Storm 18-10

64 min: A Storm error gives the Dragons a chance to get right back in the game,

65 min: The Storm are penalised in possession 10 out from their own line, on a rarely called penalty for him 'baulking' on the play the ball.

66 min: HELD UP - Adam Peek is held up by a multitude of Storm defenders

66 min: INJURY - Cameron Smith down with a knee injury, it was twisted under the weight of several players. He is now walking around with a big limp.

66 min: The Dragons come up with a poor finish to the set and the Storm come up with the ball.

71 min: The Dragons are lazy chasing a kick and Slater and Geyer return it 60 metres.

71 min: VIDEO REF - For a Storm try...

71 min: TRY Melbourne Storm
After the breakout the ball goes wide to Folau, just before he goes into touch he passes back inside to Quinn who scores out wide. Conversion attempt by Steve Turner successful.
Melbourne Storm 24-10

75 min: Sam Tagatease makes a stunning run, but gets dragged into touch as he crosses the tryline.

76 min: Folau takes an intercept, throws the ball up to Brett White who loses the ball with the line begging.

FULL TIME: And the Storm win a less than stunning clash, 24-10 over the Dragons.

LeagueUnlimited.com Player of the Match
3 Points: Billy Slater (Storm)
2 Points: Steve Turner (Storm)
1 Point: Cooper Cronk (Storm)

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