Broncos dampen Storm

The Brisbane Broncos have overcome a 14-point deficit to defeat the Melbourne Storm by 34-26 at Suncorp Stadium this afternoon.

It was a professional display from Brisbane who have had a week of turmoil following a decision by the NRL to deduct two competition points from the Broncos for an interchange infringement last weekend. The matter is still under appeal.

With the match only four minutes old, Storm player Steve Turner was forced off while replacement Ryan Hoffman made his way onto the field. Even though Turner was strapped into the medicab, the crowd booed loudly with Turner still on the ground giving the Storm 14 'players'.

Ironically, Hoffman scored five minutes later to put the visitors ahead 6-0.

The Broncos replied with a try to Stuart Kelly but the Storm scored twice with tries to Billy Slater and Matt King to put Melbourne 18-4 in front.

But the Broncos had the last say in the first half with a Darren Lockyer inspired try to Michael De Vere; and at the break, the Storm were leading by 18-10.

The Broncos then went on to score four tries to two in the second half with Stuart Kelly and Michael De Vere getting doubles.

Suncorp Stadium Referee: Stephen Clark Video Referee: Tim Mander Touch Judges: Gavin Badger, Darren Gocher

Scorers: BRONCOS 34 Tries: De Vere 2, Kelly 2, Lockyer, Tallis Goals: De Vere 5/7 defeated STORM 26 Tries: King 2, Hoffman, Slater, Hill Goals: Smith 3/5, Orford 0/1

By the clock: 0 min: Kickoff! Steamy conditions in Brisbane.

4 min: NEWS - Steve Turner (Storm) assisted off by medicab following a knee injury. He will not be returning.

8 min: Penalty goal attempt from Cameron Smith (Storm) unsuccessful. 0-0

9 min: TRY - Storm. Ryan Hoffman scores out wide courtesy of an overlap. Conversion from Smith is a ripper. Storm 6-0

13 min: TRY - Broncos. Stuart Kelly scores out wide after shifting play left to right. Conversion Michael De Vere unsuccessful. Storm 6-4

23 min: TRY - Storm. Billy Slater shows some good footwork getting into a gap and scores next to uprights. Conversion Smith. Storm 12-4

36 min: TRY - Storm. Matt King scores. Conversion Smith. Storm 18-4

40 min: TRY - Broncos. De Vere scores 8m in from touch following deft chip kick from Lockyer. Awkward bounce for Storm defence and De Vere is on the spot. Tremendous conversion from De Vere. Storm 18-10

HALF TIME: Stats fairly even with the Storm enjoying about 53% of the possession. Bronco's behind but not out of it by a long shot. Anyone's game.

Second half underway...

43 min: PENALTY GOAL - Broncos. Devere makes no mistake. Storm 18-12

48 min: TRY - Broncos. De Vere sprints 40m to score under the posts. Conversion De Vere. 18-all

59 min: TRY - Storm. Scott Hill picks a loose ball after Stuart Kelly knocks on. Hill races 22m to score 5m in from touch. Conversion Smith hits upright and bounces away. Storm 22-18

64 min: TRY - Broncos. Kelly scores out wide. Sideline conversion Devere is successful. Broncos 24-22

69 min: TRY - Broncos. Darren Lockyer scores 10m in from touch to put his side on the adscendancy. Conversion De Vere unsuccessful. Broncos 28-22

71 min: TRY - Broncos. It's the turn of Gorden Tallis now as he makes a trademark rampaging run to score under the posts. Conversion De Vere. Broncos 34-22

80 min: TRY - Storm. Matt King scores unopposed following an overlap. He improves his position and brings it in 12m from touch. Conversion Matt Orford unsuccessful. Broncos 34-26

FULL TIME: The Storm have relinquished an 18-4 lead, going down 34-26 to a classy Broncos outfit today.

----------------------------------------- Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 - D Lockyer (Broncos) 2 - M De Vere (Broncos) 1 - B Slater (Storm) -----------------------------------------