Storm get the
points as Knights fall short

The Melbourne Storm have dominated the first half to defeat a gallant Newcastle Knights 28-18 at EnergyAustralia Stadium tonight.

With Matt Orford calling the shots and Billy Slater taking advantage of the in-roads, the Storm put on an awesome display, racing away to an 18-2 lead after 21 minutes. They then extended their lead and at half time, the visitors looked unbeatable at 24-2.

But the Knights weren't done with as they put together back-to-back sets and started to dominate the ruck, something which they severely lacked in the first half. Leading by example, Danny Buderus rallied his troops into action. But the Storm defence held firm, conceding one try in the 45th minute before they struck back with Matt Geyer's third try of the night in the 59th minute.

The Knights scored two more tries to bring the scores closer but the end, the Storm were able to do enough to post their sixth win of the year and take home the two competition points.

Scorers: KNIGHTS 18 Tries: Lowrie, Carmont, Quinn Goals: K Gidley 3/4 defeated by STORM 28 Tries: Geyer 3, Hill, Slater Goals: Smith 4/5

EnergyAustralia Stadium Referee: Tony Archer Video Referee: Phil Cooley. Touch Judges: Paul Holland, Steve Chiddy

By the clock: 0 min: Kickoff!

4 min: PENALTY GOAL - Knights. Kurt Gidley makes mistake from 22m out and right in front. Follows three penalties to Newcastle including one against Melbourne for back-chatting, putting K Gidley well within range. Knights 2-0

10 min: TRY - Storm. Scott Hill slices through a gap from 15m out as the defence backs off. Conversion Cameron Smith OK. Storm 6-2

17 min: TRY - Storm. Try to Billy Slater who scores under the posts. But the hero is Dustin Cooper who leapt high above the pack to catch a bomb to run 60m and find Slater in support. Conversion Smith. Storm 12-2

21 min: TRY - Storm. Matt Geyer scores out wide after somne excellent lead up work craetes an overlap. Conversion from Smith is a ripper. The Knights crowd is stunned. Storm 18-2

32 min: NEWS - Storm look certain to score but a bomb the opportunity when Cooper is unable to take the final pass. A let off for Newcastle.

35 min: TRY - Storm. Geyer gets a double. Follows high mid-field bomb from Matt Orford and Slater leapt high to successfully contest the ball. He then threw a 'Hail Mary' out wide to find Geyer. Conversion Smith right in front. Storm 24-2

HALF TIME: Its all the Melbournce Storm who are enjoying 57% possession. Kurt Gidley finding himself under pressure from the Melbourne defence who are dominating the centre of the ruck. All the Storm forwards are doing the job with Slater, Cooper and Geyer backing up.

Second half underway...

45 min: TRY - Knights. Todd Lowrie scores out wide after te Knights get consecutive sets at the Melbourne line. They'lll need more if this if they're to be a chance. Conversion from K Gidley across the face of goal. Storm 24-6

55 min: NEWS - No change to score but since the break, its been all Newcastle as Buderus tries to lift his troops. Apart from conceding the one try, the Storm defence has held firm.

59 min: TRY - Storm. Video ref Phil Cooley deems a fair try to Matt Geyer despite there being a question mark over the put down. Follows some tremendous lead up work from Matt Orford. Wide conversion from Smith is waved away. Storm 28-6

65 min: TRY - Knights. George Carmont scores out wide on the back of some good lead up work inside. Conversion K Gidley is a beauty. Storm 28-12

73 min: NEWS - Kurt Gidley injured as the Knights send wave after wave at the Melbourne Storm line.

76 min: TRY - Knights. Anthony Quinn scores out wide following sustained pressure. K Gidley's conversion is a ripper. Storm 28-18

FULL TIME: Melbourne's first half dominance winning the match. A tremendous effort from Danny Buderus to try and get his side back in the match but in the end, it wasn't enough.

----------------------------------------- Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 - M Orford (Storm) 2 - D Buderus (Knights) 1 - B Slater (Storm) -----------------------------------------