Roosters withstand the Storm

The Sydney Roosters had too much class for the Melbourne Storm as they stopped a late onslaught to win the match by 26 points to 10 at Olympic Park in Melbourne.

The Roosters, with a majority of the ball, romped to a 10-0 lead with Chris Flannery and Chris Walker scoring in the first 25 minutes.

The Storm wouldn?t lie down however and looked devastating when they had ball in hand, creating plenty of opportunities but were often let down by handling errors.

Melbourne scored their first try after 31 minutes when Matt Orford set up Matt King for a try. The Storm came close to scoring soon after following a mistake from Roosters' back Anthony Minichiello. But the video referee made a controversial decision declaring that David Kidwell ran interference on Minichiello before the ball bounced up for Matt Geyer.

The Roosters lead at the break by 10 points to 4 with both sides almost even as the attacking flare showed. Minichiello then made a miracle tackle on Dallas Johnson forcing him over the line and denying him a crucial four pointer. The Roosters then replied with a try of their own.

The Storm answered again through a Cameron Smith but this Roosters side wouldn?t let this one slip away, scoring the last two tries and denying the Storm with a superb defensive display.

Olympic Park Melbourne Referee: Sean Hampstead Video Referee: Chris Ward Touch Judges: Pat Reynolds, Matt Cecchin

Scorers: STORM 10 Tries: King, Smith Goals: Orford 1/2 defeated by ROOSTERS 26 Tries: Walker 3, Flannery, Cross Goals: Fitzgibbon 4/6

By the clock: Australian and Queensland rep Michael Crocker comes into the Roosters line up while Robbie Kearns returns from injury for the Storm. The weather conditions are fine.

0 min: Roosters kick-off

5 min: News - The Storm hold the Roosters out. The Sydney club has been in attack inside the Storms 20 metres for the majority of this match.

7 min: Try - Roosters. Chris Flannery burrows his way over the try line to score the first points of the match after the Roosters opted to run on the last tackle. Craig Fitzgibbon is unable to convert. 4-0 Roosters

20 min: News - The Roosters have got the wood over the Storm so far in this match having had plenty of success through their forwards but the Melbourne team has had the stronger kicking game.

24 min: Try - Roosters. After Scott Hill failed the find touch from a penalty the Roosters spread it wide with Chris Walker sprinting over 60 metres after being unmarked creating a overlap. Fitzgibbon converts. 10-0 Roosters

31 min: Try - Storm. Matt Orford passes it to Matt King on the last tackle to score in the corner. Matt Orford is unable to convert. 10-4 Roosters

32 min: News - The Storm are penalised after a kick and chase almost goes horribly wrong for Anthony Minichiello, David Kidwell pushes Minichiello out of his way before the ball bounces up for Matt Geyer who places the ball down.

38 min: News - The Storm throw all they have at the Roosters defence but they lose the ball only several metres out from the try line coming close to scoring.

Half Time: Good first half by both teams. Melbourne have had a majority of the ball in later stages of the second half coming close to scoring tries several times but both teams are guilty of making errors inside their own half. The Roosters haven?t found any success with their kicking game so far due to a strong breeze blowing into their faces. Sydney Roosters lead at the break by 10 to 4.

Half Time Stats: Possession: Storm 48% - Roosters 52% Penalties: Storm 3 - Roosters 3 Completions: Storm 18/24 - Roosters 17/22 Offloads: Storm 1 - Roosters 8 Line breaks: Storm 1 - Roosters 2 Tackles: Storm 162 - Roosters 144 Missed tackles: Storm 10 - Roosters 3 Errors: Storm 7 - Roosters 6

40 min: Storm kick-off

43 min: News - Last tackle for the Storm, there?s a clear overlap to the right. Orford boots it, King grabs but passes it back in field before Gavin Lester put a hand to it giving Dallas Johnson a clear run to the try line but Anthony Minichiello runs over and holds him up over the line as Johnson?s foot touches the sideline.

48 min: Try - Roosters. Luke Ricketson offloads before being tackled, Brett Finch grubbers it and Ryan Cross gets the perfect bounce to score. Fitzgibbon converts. 16-4 Roosters

49 min: News - Miscommunication between Billy Slater and Matt Geyer almost leads to a Roosters try but a Craig Fitzgibbon offload is knocked forward and the Storm are relieved.

55 min: Try - Storm. Started by a Matt Geyer intercept Melbourne rumble their way down the Roosters end. Reynoldson offloads it for Cameron Smith to score. Orford converts. 16-10 Roosters

58 min: Try - Roosters. The Roosters hit back straight away; Sydney spread it wide creating an overlap with Chris Walker scoring the try in corner. Fitzgibbon can?t convert. 20-10 Roosters

63 min: News - David Kidwell is put on report for several knees to Ryan Cross.

69 min: News - The referee baffles the Storm players after indicating another set of six but yells out fifth and last the next play forcing Scott Hill to put a kick in. Melbourne get another set after Minichiello made a error.

74 min: News - Penalty Goal attempt by Fitzgibbon goes wide after the Storm was penalised for running interference.

78 min: News - Billy Slater intercepts a pass which would of almost certainly set up a try.

80 min: Try - Roosters. Ryan Cross chips and regathers before setting Chris Walker up for a try. Fitzgibbon converts.

Full Time: The Roosters hold out the Storm in a exciting encounter. Melbourne simply didn?t capitalise on their try scoring opportunities but they put in a spirited effort.

Full Time Stats: Possession: Storm 49% - Roosters 51% Penalties: Storm 4 - Roosters 6 Completions: Storm 29/41 - Roosters 32/44 Offloads: Storm 7 - Roosters 16 Line breaks: Storm 3 - Roosters 5 Tackles: Storm 313 - Roosters 284 Missed tackles: Storm 27 - Roosters 16 Errors: Storm 15 - Roosters 15 ----------------------------------------- Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 - R Cross (Roosters) 2 - M King (Storm) 1 - C Fitzgibbon (Roosters) -----------------------------------------