Storm Dampen Panthers' Spirit

A good performance by the Melbourne team at home saw them hand Penrith a loss by 42 -16.

A solid start by the Storm, without some of their key players through injuries, had them 2 tries up within the first 15 minutes, much to the delight of the faithful crowd.

Scoring came thick and fast for both sides, including a brilliant solo try by Preston Campbell, grabbing an intercept and running the length of the field.

The half time break had the scoreline close at 16-10 to the Melbourne side.

After a slow start to the second half, with sloppy play on both sides, the flood gates suddenly opened for the Storm who were now playing into a strong breeze.

26 unanswered points to the Storm saw the game slip away from the tiring Penrith players.

A late consolation try to the Panthers, with the Storm guilty of slacking off, helped to put a bit of spark back in the match.

Storm player Slater, filling in for the injured Ross, had a very solid game at fullback, looking very comfortable in the position. Slater finished the game on a high, managing to score his second try of the game, right on full time.

League Unlimited players of the game:

3. Slater (Storm) 2. Tadulala (Storm) 1. Campbell (Panthers)

5:30 PM Olympic Park Melbourne Ref: Steve Lyons

Scorers:

Storm 42 Tries: Geyer, Robinson, Smith, Williams, Tadulala x2, Slater x2 Goals: Geyer (5/9)

Panthers 16 Tries: Gower, Campbell, Wesser Goals: Campbell (2/3)

By the clock:

8th min: TRY - Geyer for Storm. Great break by Marcus Bai from his line with Bell and Geyer backing up, Geyer going in under the posts. Geyer converts his own try. Storm 6-0

14th min: TRY - Robinson for Storm. Melbourne slowly building up the pressure, making ground. Robinson threw a brilliant dummy to catch out Campbell close to the line. Geyer misses the conversion. Storm 10-0

18th min: TRY - Gower for Panthers. Two quick penalties to get them close to the line, Gower does a simple wrap around and gets over for the try out wide. Campbell gets a tough kick into the breeze. Storm 10-6

24th min: TRY - Smith for Storm. Close to the line on the 5th, and Smith ducks through the gap with no problems. Geyer, from out in front, converts. Storm 16-6

31st min: TRY - Campbell for Panthers. Intercepting a pass from Orford, Campbell ran the length of the field to score. Campbell misses the conversion. Storm 16-10

36th min: TRY - Williams for Storm. Williams hard to tackle close to the line, touches down in amongst a mass of Penrith defenders. Geyer gets an easy conversion over. Storm 22-10

HALF TIME: Melbourne, with the use of the strong breeze, have used it well

48th min: Both sides making some unnecessary errors. Lewis and Whatuira (Panthers) both out of the game with injuries

50th min: TRY - Tadulala for Storm. A slump in the play suddenly revived by a beautiful kick ingoal by Orford and Tadulala leaps high into the air to gather the ball and score. Geyer's kick hits the post and misses. Storm 26-10

56th min: TRY - Slater for Storm. Orford takes the ball to the line, next tackle, and Slater's dancing across the line. Geyer gets the conversion. Storm 32-10

58th min: TRY - Tadulala for Storm. Great individual try by the flying winger, taking it up the sideline. Geyer's kick is wide. Storm 36-10

62nd min: PENALTY - Geyer for Storm, from out in front, misses the kick. Storm 36-10

71st min: TRY - Wesser for Panthers. Very quick plays by a revived Panthers outfit had trhe Storm defence stretched enough for Wesser to score easily under the sticks. Campbell converts. Storm 36-16

80th min: TRY - Slater for Storm. Quick plays, great footwork and Slater's over for another try. Gyer finishes the match off with the conversion. Storm 42-16

FULL TIME: A good win at home for the Storm. Penrith have a bit of work ahead of them before they take on the Roosters next weekend