Storm surge towards a Top 4 finish

The Melbourne Storm have resuscitated their Top 4 hopes as they bounced back from their shock loss to Newcastle last Monday night, defeating the North Queensland Cowboys 14-6 in wet conditions at AAMI Park this evening.

The win sees the Storm now sit in 5th position heading into the final round of the season. They must now defeat a red hot Broncos side on Thursday night and rely on bitter rivals Manly defeating the Cronulla Sharks on Sunday afternoon to ensure they qualify in 4th position in 2015.

The Cowboys on the other hand will now finish in third place and certainly struggled in attack without five-eighth Michael Morgan, who won't likely return until the finals series. The Cowboys were held to nil until the dying stages when Jonathan Thurston found Kyle Feldt unmarked with a cross field kick to register their sole try for the night.

The Storm firmed in the betting once rain was forecast for tonight's clash and early on they were able to complete their sets and apply pressure to the Cowboys consistently in the opening exchanges. The Cowboys defence was solid however and it wasn't until a succession of penalties to Melbourne, saw skipper Cameron Smith elect to kick for goal in the 11th minute to register the first points of the night.

After the Cowboys repelled back to back sets, winger Kyle Feldt dropped the ball 20 metres out from his own line which proved costly. From the next set, Cameron Smith put Kenny Bromwich under the posts with a deft pass for the first try of the night. Smith converted to make it 8-0.

Two minutes before the break, Storm winger Matt Duffie looked all set to score the second four pointer of the night, only to be pulled back and flung into touch by Cowboys fullback Lachlan Coote. Coote's outstanding effort ensured that the Cowboys only trailed by 8 points heading into the break and considering Melbourne were camped on their line for long periods of the first half, they would have been feeling confident of getting back into the match at halftime.

Shortly after the break, Cowboys skipper Jonathan Thurston made a howling error when he spilt a Blake Green grubber, which was pounced upon by Will Chambers to extend the Storm's lead to 14 points.

A brilliant 40/20 kick from Blake Green in the 49th minute presented Melbourne the chance to to put the game away early but Tim Glasby knocked on the second tackle, with replays showing that Cowboys hooker Jake Granville may have played a hand in the error. Nonetheless the Cowboys were off the hook and showed tremendous character to hang in the match.

Back to back handling errors by the Cowboys really cost them any momentum on two ocassions in the backend of the match but their scrambling defence was certainly a positive that coach Paul Green will take out of the match.

Melbourne's defence was clinical and their fifth tackle options were more often than not the right one, as they managed to build pressure and force the Cowboys to try their hand in the wet conditions in order to get back into the match. Fullback Cameron Munster was outstanding for the home side, as his positional play at the back was always on point.

Melbourne now travel to Brisbane to face the second placed Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night, while the Cowboys head back home to Townsville where they face cellar dwellers the Gold Coast Titans on Saturday night in their last match before the finals.

Match Details

Melbourne Storm 14 North Queensland Cowboys 6
Venue: AAMI Park
Crowd: 15214
Halftime Score: Melbourne Storm 8 North Queensland Cowboys 0

MELBOURNE STORM (14)
Tries: Kenneath Bromwich, Will Chambers
Conversions: Cameron Smith (2/2)
Penalty Goals: Cameron Smith (1/1)

NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS (6)
Tries: Kyle Feldt
Conversions: Johnathan Thurston (1/1)

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:

3 points - Cameron Munster
2 points - Cameron Smith
1 point - Blake Green

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary

Welcome to AAMI Park in Melbourne for the last game of Super Saturday, which see the Storm play host to the North Queensland Cowboys. Melbourne are looking to bounce back after a shock loss to Newcastle last week. The Cowboys piled on 50 unanswered points against the Warriors in an impressive performance.
Melbourne have made some late changes with Ryan Hinchcliffe and Jordan McLean to start with Kenny Bromwich and Tim Glasby benched. Felise Kaufusi has been replaced in the 17 by Christian Welch.
The Cowboys are 1-17 however Scott Bolton starts with Jason Taumalolo to come off the interchange bench.
It's wet conditions in Melbourne, which may play into the hands of the home side. Stay tuned for all the action on League Unlimited.

We are underway at AAMI Park!

1: Both sides obviously starting pretty cautious due to the slippery conditions.

2: Penalty Cowboys - Proctor not getting back the 10m. Cowboys tap 10m out and on the attack.

3: Penalty Cowboys - Lowe spills it close to the line but ruled there was a Storm hand in there.

4: Thurston bombs to the corner under pressure. Antonio Winterstein gets the bounce but hesitates and is swamped by the cover defence. Change over to Melbourne.

5: Penalty Cowboys - Harris tries to slow down the play the ball. Cowboys tap 20m out.

6: Cameron Smith has been all over Thurston early.

7: Koroibete is trapped in goal. Line drop out Melbourne.

8: UNFORCED ERROR NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Ben Hannant makes an unforced error.
Hannant spills it close to the line. First error of the night.

11: Penalty Storm - Tacklers fail to get off Jesse Bromwich after a strong run from the front rower. Storm on the attack 20m out.

11: Penalty Storm - Kyle Feldt too slow to roll away. Storm tap 10m out.

13: Munster leaves the ball behind and Linnett takes off and brought down 40m from his own line. Left off for the Cowboys.

15: Penalty Storm - Justin O'Neil inside the 10. Melbourne move over halfway.

17: Another Penalty Storm - Granville puts on a great shot on Munster, but ruled to be past the horizontal. Smith points to the posts.

18: SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL MELBOURNE STORM
Penalty goal attempt by Cameron Smith successful.
Smith gets Melbourne on the board. 2-0 to the Storm.

20: Ordinary end to the set after points from Melbourne. Glasby ends up with the ball on the last and manages to shovel the ball to Cronk under pressure.

22: They get it right this time on the 5th tackle Melbourne. Cronk kicks deep and Matt Duffie manages to push Coote back in goal. Drop out Cowboys.

24: Storm get a repeat set after Tim Glasby slides Ben Spina back in goal. The Storm using the wet conditions to their advantage.

24: UNFORCED ERROR MELBOURNE STORM
Will Chambers makes an unforced error.
Chambers drops it off the line drop out! Huge error!

26: UNFORCED ERROR NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Kyle Feldt makes an unforced error.
Feldt drops it 20m out from his own line. Storm on the attack!

26: TRY MELBOURNE STORM
Scored by Kenneath Bromwich. Kick to come.
Cameron Smith puts Kenneth Bromwich threw with a neat pass under the posts. 6-0 kick to come.

28: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION MELBOURNE STORM
Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith successful.
Smith makes it 8-0 to the home side.

30: Duffie clearly shouldered off the ball by Thurston. Missed by the referees.

32: Penalty Storm - Munster gets on the outside of O'Neil off the back of a strong run from Koroibete. Cowboys to slow to release him. Melbourne tap 20m out.

33: Matt Duffie looks in for all money but a great effort from Lachlan Coote swings him into touch. Top effort from the #1! Saves a certain try.

36: Video Referee - Cronk kicks deep, Duffie chases with Winterstein. They both slide over the ball and Proctor comes through and gets a hand to it. Has it hit the deadball line is the question? - NO TRY has just touched the line. Drop out Cowboys.

36: Great kick from Blake Green across the line. Kyle Feldt takes a great one handed catch and he is forced in goal. Another set for the Storm, great pressure.

37: UNFORCED ERROR MELBOURNE STORM
Blake Green makes an unforced error.
Green throws a forward pass to Tohu Harris 15m out. Massive let off again for North Queensland.

38: Video Ref - An unbelievable play from North Queensland. Coote finds some space on the outside, who finds Linnett he offloads to Thurston, he kicks to find Feldt who slides over! NO TRY - Cronk ruled to have been obstructed in the lead up/

39: A spectacular try that would have been for the Cowboys!

40: It is halftime at AAMI Park and the home side lead 8-0. Melbourne have had the majority of the ball in very slippery conditions and certainly haven't made the most of their possession inside the Cowboys 20m. A slick ball from Cameron Smith put Kenny Bromwich over under the posts for the only try of the match so far. The Cowboys almost scored one of the tries of the season but Cooper Cronk was ruled to have been obstructed in the build up. The Storm have certainly been in control early, but the Cowboys will be thrilled to be only down 8-0.

40: A booming kick from Kyle Feldt gets us underway in the 2nd Half!

41: Thurston kicks across for Feldt but Koroibete makes a superb catch and runs out for a 20m re-start.

42: Rory Kostjasyn leaves the field with a bad concussion. Jake Granville will play big minutes tonight it would seem.

42: TRY MELBOURNE STORM
Scored by Will Chambers. Kick to come.
Jonathan Thurston spills a kick in goal and Chambers pounces for a try. Storm 12-0 kick to come, what a start!

44: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION MELBOURNE STORM
Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith successful.
Smith adds the extras and its Melbourne 14-0.

47: Asofa-Solomona busts through the line, he offloads to nobody. Cowboys ball. Storm showing some confidence now.

48: Kurt Mann leaves the field for a concussion test. Tohu Harris moves to the right centre position.

49: 40/20 MELBOURNE STORM
Blake Green kicks a 40/20.
Blake Green with a sensational 40/20!

50: UNFORCED ERROR MELBOURNE STORM
Tim Glasby makes an unforced error.
Glasby ruled to have lost the ball. May have been a sneaky Jake Granville hand in it. Huge let off again for North Queensland.

51: Thurston hammered by Welch as he gets the kick away on the 5th tackle.

51: Rory Kostjasyn has failed his concussion test, won't be back.

52: UNFORCED ERROR NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Lachlan Coote makes an unforced error.
Coote makes a half break but leaves the ball behind. Storm ball on halfway.

53: UNFORCED ERROR NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Jason Taumalolo makes an unforced error.
Taumalolo loses the ball and the Storm have a scrum 38m out.

54: Blake Green goes down injured. Doesn't look too bad and he gets to his feet.

56: Superb take from Coote as Cronk grubbers behind the line. They are hanging in the Cowboys!

57: Big play from Jonathan Thurston who kicks ahead and then drags Munster in goal. Is this the play? Line drop out Melbourne.

58: Great defence from the Storm and they absorb the pressure through Cronk diving on a kick from Thurston.

59: Great defence from the Storm and they absorb the pressure through Cronk diving on a kick from Thurston.

59: UNFORCED ERROR NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Johnathan Thurston makes an unforced error.
Coote throws a pass to Thurston under pressure on the first tackle. Storm scrum 15m out and are on the attack.

60: Outstanding goal line defence again by the Cowboys. They tackle Munster on the last and again get out of jail.

65: UNFORCED ERROR NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Lachlan Coote makes an unforced error.
6 more Storm after a clever kick from Smith close to the line.

67: Penalty Cowboys - Coote makes a break and Munster steals it off Linnett...dicey call he may have lost that. Cowboys now inside their own half.

67: Video Ref - Grubber from Thompson and Munster and Lowe slide for the ball. - NO TRY Munster grounds it. Goal line drop out.

69: UNFORCED ERROR NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Gavin Cooper makes an unforced error.
Gavin Cooper loose carry. Melbourne scrum deep in their own half.

72: UNFORCED ERROR NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Cooper Cronk makes an unforced error.
Gavin Cooper gets a free catch off a Thurston bomb, ruled to have knocked on.

73: Thurston grubbers behind the line but Munster is again is the right place.

74: 6 minutes remain. The Cowboys need to roll the dice!

75: De ja vu - as Thurston finds that man Munster again on the last.

75: UNFORCED ERROR MELBOURNE STORM
Will Chambers makes an unforced error.
Chambers knocks on from the play the ball. Cowboys scrum 40m out.

78: Melbourne playing it pretty safe now with the game in the bag. Smith kicks long to Coote for him to bring it back.

78: Penalty Cowboys - Welch high tackle on John Asiata. Cowboys go for the try to get off zero.

79: TRY NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Scored by Kyle Feldt. Kick to come.
Jonathan Thurston finds Kyle Feldt with a pin point kick and they are on the board!

79: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Conversion attempt by Johnathan Thurston successful.
Thurston adds the 2 points. Storm lead 14-6.

80: It's fulltime with Melbourne defeating North Queensland 14-6