Storm comeback sinks Tigers

Fulltime score: Round 13 WESTS TIGERS 14 v MELBOURNE STORM 30 Match summary: The Melbourne Storm have staged a remarkable second half revival to defeat Wests Tigers 30-14 at Leichhardt Oval today.

Following an outstanding defensive effort, the Tigers kept the Melbourne side scoreless in the first half to post an 8-0 lead at the break.

The Storm however came back in waves, scoring the next five tries before the Tigers snared a consolation try just before the final whistle.

Scorers: WESTS TIGERS 14 Tries: Elford, Wilson Goals: Hodgson 3/4 MELBOURNE STORM 30 Tries: Slater 2, Webster, Bell, Geyer Goals: Orford 3/3, Smith 2/2

Leichhardt Oval Referee: Tony Archer Half time: Tigers 8-0

Live commentary: A tough game expected at Leichhardt Oval today for the clash between the Tigers & Storm. Both teams come into todays match in shaky form but the Tigers always seem to lift at home whilst the Storm never play the same when on the road. Scott Hill out injured, Matt Geyer will come into the five eigth position with Greg Inglis coming into the side on the wing

0 min: Play underway. Storm kicking off.

3rd Min: NEWS - Farah looses the ball when reaching out to score for the Tigers. a let off for the Storm.

5th Min: Off to the video ref possible Storm try. NO TRY - Bell looses the ball just before the line 20m restart.

7th Min: TRY - Tigers Shane Elford gets in between the 2 defenders close to the line to score in the corner. Conversion unsuccessful from Hodgson Tigers 4 - 0

13th Min: NEWS - Goal line drop out to the Tigers

16th min: NEWS - 3 Goal line drop outs in a row for the Tigers. Can they hold on for 4 sets. Great defence from the Tigers as they create the error from the Storm, they never looked like scoring.

24th Min: Off to the video ref possible Tigers try. NO TRY - Prince knocked the ball on as he hits the ball out of Webster's hands.

29th Min: PENALTY GOAL - Tigers Slater is penalised for not getting to his feet to play the ball on the first tackle. Hodgson converts from right in front Tigers 6 - 0

31st Min: NEWS - Tigers nearly go the length of the field from the kick off but the ball just goes over the deadball line.

35th Min: NEWS - Tigers are starting to cause plenty of trouble down the left handside in defence for the Storm as they create a goal line dropout.

37th Min: PENALTY GOAL - Tigers Storm are penalised for stripping the ball. Hodgson converts from 30 metres out right in front. Tigers 8 - 0

HALFTIME....

The Storm had all the possession in their opponents territory for the first 30 minutes of the half but were unable to put on any points as their attack was very ordinary to say the least. The Tigers defence on the other hand was outstanding as they withstood 4 straight sets at one stage. The Tigers started to get on top in the last 10 minutes of the half to create plenty of breaks on both flanks and were unlucky not to score on a couple of occassions at the end of the half. Can the Storm find something extra as they will have to lift big time to have any chance of beating the Tigers. After 40 minutes, with an 8-2 penalty count in their favour, the Tigers are enjoying over 60% of the ball.

41st Min: Second half underway. Tigers kick out on the full from the kickoff. The Storm dont find touch from the ensueing penalty and the Tigers make a simple knock on. A comedy of errors to start the second half.

45th min: TRY - Storm The Storm string together lots of inside balls to keep the ball alive for Slater to score under the posts as they come the length of the field. Conversion successful from Orford. Tigers 8 - 6

49th Min: TRY - Storm Alex Chan makes a break up the middle of the park and draws the fullback to put Jake Webster into space and he runs away to score under the posts. Conversion successful from Orford from in front Storm 12 - 8

54th Min: Off to the video ref possible Storm try.

54th Min: TRY - Storm Orford puts up a crossfield kick and Rieck looses the ball near the line & Bell picks the ball up to score out wide. Conversion successful from Smith. Storm 18 - 8

57th Min: TRY - Storm Orford puts a grubber into the ingoal and Slater flies throught to put the ball down just inside the dead ball line The Storm are completly dominating the Tigers in this half. What a turn around. Conversion successful from Orford Storm 24 - 8

63rd Min: NEWS - Storm are all over the top of the Tigers and nearly scored again as King barged through a gap and only the last pass went astray to cost them a try. The Tigers have hardly had the ball in this half

66th Min: NEWS - The Tigers make a break down the right flank to nearly score but the last pass goes astray and King bats the ball over the dead ball line. Goal line drop out to the Storm

70th Min: TRY - Storm Bell goes through a big hole and links up with Geyer who races away to score next to the post Conversion successful from Smith Storm 30 - 8

75th Min: NEWS - Farah looses the ball with the tryline wide open to blow a try for the Tigers

77th Min: TRY - Tigers The Tigers get a consolation try after Prince grubbers into the ingoal for Wilson to plant the ball down after Slater missed the ball cold. Conversion successful from Hodgson Storm 30 - 14

FULLTIME....

The Storm rack up their first ever win at Leichhardt Oval after an amazing second half turnaround. Matt King created plenty of problems for the Tigers defence while Billy Slater played his usual dashing game and Orford also played well to rally his troops to a dominant second half performance. ----------------------------------------- Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 - M King (Storm) 2 - B Slater (Storm) 1 - M Orofrd (Storm) -----------------------------------------