How good are the Storm?

A cold winter's in Melbourne was the scene of a furious battle between the home side and the Penrith Panthers with the home side dominating the game from 20th minute of the match to win by a very easy 66-14.

The small but vocal crowd voiced their feelings from very early in the match when the Melbourne side were penalised 4 times in a row.

The Panthers hit the front early and 1/4 hour into the match had a comfortable 10-0 lead.

However with explosive power on attack and punishing tackles on defence, the Storm certainly showed the fans they are a Top 4 side. 66 unanswered points from the 20th minute was incredible to say the least as every single member of the team played their part in what was an outstanding victory to the Melbourne side.

Fullback Steve Turner covering for Billy Slater who is out for Origin duty, made one initial mistake leading to a Penrith try. However once the nerves died down the Turner dominance on the field was noticeable as scoring a hat-trick shows. Orford, MacDougall, King and Bell all dominated in the backs for the Storm while the forwards in particular Chan, Reynoldson and Cronk all played their part in the resounding victory.

The Panthers literally had no answers against a Storm side on fire, however they never gave up and were rewarded with a try right on fulltime.

Olympic Park Melbourne Referee: Tim Mander Video Referee: Chris Ward Touch Judges: Steve Carrall, Ben Cummins Scorers: STORM 66 Tries: King, Kidwell, MacDougall Goals: Orford 3/3 defeated PANTHERS 14 Tries: Whatuira, Waterhouse Goals: Roberts 1/2

By the clock: Tim Mander umpiring his 249th match tonight. Matt Geyer for the Storm sets a new club record appearing in his 145th match for the club. The welcome return of Preston Campbell for the Panthers. A cool night in Melbourne

0 min: Kick off!

5th min: NEWS - A solid start by the two sides. Melbourne's defence is right in the face of the 2003 Premiers

6th min: TRY - Whatuira for Panthers. A high kick by Roberts puts the Storm fullback under pressure. The dropped ball by Turner sets up another set for the Panthers, and the Penrith centre over for the try out wide. Roberts misses the conversion. Panthers 4-0

10th min: NEWS - The small crowd at Olympic Stadium are sure letting the officials know how they feel. Little mistakes by both sides creeping into the game

15th min: TRY - Waterhouse for Panthers. Melbourne giving away silly penalties late in the tackle count have given excellent possession to the Panthers. Penrith were always going to score close to the line. Roberts from 20 metres in converts the try. Panthers 10-0

17th min: NEWS - The Storm warned as they have given away 4 penalties within the last few minutes. The crowd very vocal

19th min: TRY - King for Storm. A relieving penalty finally for the home side sets up play close to their line. Quick plays and a bullet ball to King from Orford, nearly intercepted, gets the winger over in the corner. Orford 5 metres in, kicks a pearler. Panthers 10-6

24th min: TRY - Kidwell for Storm. A line dropout followed by a penalty and the Storm looked dangerous close to the line. A snappy little offload by Friend the hooker, and Kidwell slams the ball down over the line. Orford adds the extras. Storm 12-10

28th min: NEWS - The Storm asking questions of the Penrith defence as play goes from one end to the other. The ball dead in goal just before King (Storm) touches it down with Campbell shadowing the ball

30th min: TRY - MacDougall for Storm. The home side looking dangerous as Kidwell busts through a soft tackle. Quick plays and a super pass from Kearney to MacDougall who scores. Orford with another great conversion. Storm 18-10

35th min: NEWS - The Panthers looking a little lost on their last tackle options. Kearns (Storm) leaves the field for the blood bin

HALFTIME: After being 10-0 down, Melbourne have hit back strong to lead 18-10 in a very good game

HALFTIME STATS: Possession: Storm 44% - Panthers 56% Completions: Storm 14/20 - Panthers 16/21 Penalties: Storm 3 - Panthers 5 Offloads: Storm 8 - Panthers 5 Line breaks: Storm 4 - Panthers 2 Tackles: Storm 167 - Panthers 115 Missed tackles: Storm - 15 Panthers 24 Errors: Storm 6 - Panthers 6

Second half underway..

44th min: NEWS - Kearns (Storm) still off the field with a bad cut around his eye. The game still being played at a furious pace

47th min: TRY - Cronk for Storm. A 40 metre bust by MacDougall is followed up by outstanding play by almost the whole of the Storm side with quick offloads to set up Cronk and a 10 metre run to the line. Orford adds the two points. Storm 24-10

51st min: PENALTY GOAL - Orford for Storm. From 20 metres out and right in front Orford makes no mistake. Storm 26-10

55th min: NEWS - Hoffman (Storm) taken in a high shot by Faaoso looks a bit giddy. The tackle put on report. Kearns (Storm) looks to have a serious eye injury and will be off to the hospital for tests later

55th min: TRY - Hoffman for Storm. The resulting penalty and Hoffman recovers well enough to score the try from the perfect ball. Orford converts. Storm 32-10

60th min: TRY - Turner for Storm. Orford opens the defence wide up after a great inside ball. A 30 metres sprint and the little halfback throws an inside pass picked up by a flying Turner who scores under the posts. 2 more points to Orford. Storm 38-10

64th min: TRY - Turner for Storm. Turner bags his 2nd of the night from a goal line dropout as he slips through a gap in the tirung Penrith defence. Orford from out in front keeps his kicking at 100% for the night. Storm 44-10

66th min: TRY - King for Storm. King not to be outdone by his team mate also nabs 2 tries for the night after sprinting down the sideline with no one in his way. Orford misses his 1st conversion. Storm 48-10

70th min: TRY - Hill for Storm. Hoffman contested the Orford bomb. The ball comes back to Hill who runs 10 metres to score. Orford converts. Storm 54-10

73rd min: TRY - Turner for Storm. The video ref used to determine if the decoy runner takes out a defender. The replay shows all is well, Whatuira chose to tackle the wrong man allowing Turner in for the try. Orford adds 2 more points. 60-10

75th min: TRY - Cronk for Storm. Kings bursts up the left hand side leaving defenders in his wake. A great pass to Cronk who still had work to do to get over the line. Orford sets a new record for the most kicks in a match for the Storm as he nails number 11. Storm 66-10

80th min: TRY - Clayton for Panthers. A soft try in the end after a Storm mistake. Clayton who's been trying all night gets over in the corner. Roberts misses the conversion. Storm win 66-14

FULL TIME STATS: Possession: Storm 54% - Panthers 46% Completions: Storm 34/43 - Panthers 26/34 Penalties: Storm 7 - Panthers 5 Offloads: Storm 19 - Panthers 6 Line breaks: Storm 11 - Panthers 3 Tackles: Storm 261 - Panthers 273 Missed tackles: Storm 20 - Panthers 44 Errors: Storm 9 - Panthers 9

----------------------------------------- Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 - S Turner (Storm) 2 - M Orford (Storm) 1 - M King (Storm) -----------------------------------------