RUGBY LEAGUE NEWS:
Round 15 :
Storm celebrate their 10th year in style
Written by: Alison Nolan
June 24th, 2007 05:08 PM

LINK TO MATCH PICS - CLICK HERE

Match summary
After an early onslaught by the Dragons, Melbourne Storm have come back in the match to completely dominate the game with a 28-6 victory which sees them solely at the top of the competition ladder, a nice way to end their 10th year celebrations.

The Dragons came out firing right from the kick off, and looked to have Melbourne out of sorts early in the game.

A try to Beau Scott 6 minutes into the match sent out warning bells for the home side. Sustained pressure by the Dragons had the Storm on the back foot for the first twenty minutes until slowly the momentum of the match swung with both Ryles and Poore injured on the sideline for the Dragons.

Two tries to Melbourne in the 30th and the 36th minute saw them take a 12-6 lead to the break.

And from then on they never looked back as they completely outclassed their opposition in the second half.

To their credit the Dragons with their die hard attitude, never gave up but the tough game took it's toll in the second half as the players began to tire allowing the Storm to rack up points for the victory.

The Storm now have a week off in Round 16 while the Dragons will need to regroup as they take on the Sea Eagles next Sunday.

Match Details
Round 15 - Full Time :: June 24th, 2007 03:00 PM
Venue: Olympic Park
Referee: Paul Simpkins
Crowd: 13,545

Melbourne Storm 28
Tries: Matt King, Clint Newton, Steve Turner (2), Ryan Hoffman, Matt Geyer
Goals: Cameron Smith (2/7)
St George Illawarra Dragons 6
Tries: Beau Scott
Goals: Jamie Soward (1/1)

LeagueUnlimited.com Player of the Match
3 Points: Cameron Smith (Storm)
2 Points: James Aubusson (Storm)
1 Point: Steve Turner (Storm)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary
First plays last to day in Melbourne. The Storm celebrating 10 years in the competition and yet to lose at home in 2007. Nice to see the sun shining but the day is quite chilly.

1 min: Kick off in front of a good crowd

2 min: The Dragons start the match with a brilliant run by Poore. Mowed down, but it will give the Dragons players some confidence. Folau looks to have cramp on the sideline

5 min: Folau heads up the tunnel. The Dragons have made an impressive start to the match.

6 min: TRY St George Illawarra Dragons
A mistake by Newton 30 metres out from the Dragons line, and the visitors pounce on the opportunity. Scott has no problem scoring the try. Conversion attempt by Jamie Soward successful.
St George Illawarra Dragons 6-0

9 min: Back to back penalties by the Storm, and the Dragons making the most of it with continuous attacking, and looking dangerous.

10 min: A late shot on Aubusson by Payne as he puts the kick in and 50 metres down the field the Storm are awarded a penalty.

11 min: PENALTY GOAL Melbourne Storm

St George Illawarra Dragons 6-2

13 min: News from the Storm bench has Folau out with a slight hamstring injury and will not return to the game unless absolutely necessary.

16 min: Ryles signals to the Dragons bench. He leaves the field aided, injury to his knee.

20 min: The Dragons have had the best of the first 20 minutes of the match. The Storm starting to get a bit of possession, but look a little lost at times.

25 min: Both sides using the football well. The Dragons trying everything they can. Ryles injury isn't as bad as suspected, just a twist and may return. Poore has a hamstring injury

28 min: Johnson has come to the sideline with a knee injury. The attrition rate very high for both sides.

30 min: TRY Melbourne Storm
Three sets of six for the Storm and they finally break through the tough Dragons defence to score. Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith successful.
Melbourne Storm 8-6

36 min: TRY Melbourne Storm
The Storm have soaked up the pressure thrown at them by the Dragons and now have eased ahead on the scoreboard with some patient play. Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith unsuccessful.
Melbourne Storm 12-6

39 min: Poore returns to the match for the Dragons

HALFTIME: The Dragons came out firing and were impressive for the first 20 mins but the Storm have come back into the match with some fine plays. They lead 12-6

41 min: The Dragons get the second half underway

44 min: TRY Melbourne Storm
Excellent play by the Storm backs on attack. A nice inside pass by Geyer on his wing sets up Turner nicely for the points. Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith unsuccessful.
Melbourne Storm 16-6

49 min: Melbourne's King drops the ball and bombs a certain try as Inglis breaks thru the line

54 min: Both the teams settling into the second half with neither willing to give in. Soward close to a 40/20 for the Dragons but just missing out.

57 min: Hewitt with his safe hands catching the high ball with ease at present and diffusing the Storm attack.

59 min: TRY Melbourne Storm
15 metres out from the Storm line and Hoffman from the scrum base, gets through the defence with ease to score. Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith unsuccessful.
Melbourne Storm 20-6

66 min: TRY Melbourne Storm
Despite some brilliant scrambling defence by the Dragons close to the Storm line, Geyer sneaks over close to the corner post on the fifth tackle. Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith unsuccessful.
Melbourne Storm 24-6

70 min: Wave after wave of attack by the Storm now. The Dragons stats show 30 missed tackles so far in the match. Their players are tiring but still giving it their all against the Storm attack.

73 min: Finally the Dragons are close to their line, the first time in this half, the fifth tackle option not the best as White runs away with the ball for the Storm.

78 min: TRY Melbourne Storm
The Storm rush to form the scrum 20 metres out from their line and are rewarded with some great ball as Turner crosses for his 2nd try in the game. Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith unsuccessful.
Melbourne Storm 28-6

FULL TIME: An impressive performance by the home side in the second half completely dominating the game.

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