Storm hold-out brave Raiders

Round 25
Canberra Raiders 18 v Melbourne Storm 22
at Canberra Stadium
Referee: Shayne Hayne

Match Summary:
The Melbourne Storm has defeated a gallant Canberra Raiders in the Nation?s Capital by 22-18.

Farewelling six of their veteran star players, the game began at a furious pace with the Raiders out to ambush the Storm early. And ambush they did as captain Clinton Schifcofske instigated a break in just the 4th minute for Jason Smith who drew Storm fullback Billy Slater before flicking the ball inside to workhorse forward Alan Tongue to score next to the posts.

The Storm hit back with a gem of their own in the 21st minute as boom youngster Greg Inglis made a huge bust up the middle of the ruck and just about ran the length of the field to gift centre Matt King a try in the corner as the cover came across.

A brawl erupted in the 28th minute of the game after Jason Croker was ruled to have tackled Slater in the air and to be fair it looked a bit awkward. King took issue with Croker before Canberra?s man mountain Michael Weyman steamed into the fracas, which was just simmering down, and pushed King heavily. King reacted by landing a punch on Weyman?s noggin and caused a bit of claret to flow before the situation was calmed down and both were sent to the sin bin.

Inglis backed up his earlier effort ten minutes later when he took an intercept of a long pass by Smith and dashed 85 metres to score under the posts with Matt Geyer offering a good shield against Raiders winger Adrian Purtell. And then in the final minute of the first half Storm no.7 Cooper Cronk rammed home the advantage with a great flat ball to back-rower Ryan Hoffman who barged across close to the line to extend their halftime lead to 16-6.

The second half opened a bit poorly with the Raiders making mistakes and the Storm bombing a few tries and failing to capitalise on opportunities. The visitors finally crossed the stripe in the 67th minute after a penalty allowed them to setup camp in the Raiders 20m zone. Nathan Friend delivered a short pass to Dallas Johnson who strolled over under the posts unopposed to push the lead out to 22-6.

After several failed attempts, the Raiders mounted an attacking raid in Melbourne?s territory and hooker Lincoln Withers found a way over the line by way of burrowing to score and with Schifcofske?s conversion the gap was narrowed to 10 points and the home side had their tails in the air.

Tensions were raised five minutes later as Tongue scored his second after Todd Carney gave a super inside pass to Marshall Chalk who stormed upfield and grubbered to the fiery-haired lock and he scored under the posts.

The late surge nearly cam off as Canberra had several chances to score in the remaining six minutes of play, including a passage where Carney kicked from a 20m tap downfield to force a scrum 35m out from the Storm line.

But it wasn?t to be as the minor premiers hung on to claim the two points and get back in the winners circle following last week?s loss. They host the Sea Eagles next week with the JJ Giltinan Shield heading south.

For Canberra, I think this loss shows that they won?t be easy-beats in the finals and it?s probably good practise for them as they will more than likely face the Storm in Melbourne in week 1 of the semis. They play Cronulla next week at Shark Park and will hope to win there as they still need a few results to go their way.


Scorers:
Canberra Raiders: 18
Tries: Alan Tongue(2), Lincoln Withers
Goals: Clinton Schifcofske 3/3
Melbourne Storm: 22
Tries: Ryan Hoffman, Greg Inglis, Dallas Johnson, Matt King
Goals: Cameron Smith 3/4

Crowd: 21,255
Halftime: Storm 16-6

By the Clock:
Cool but sunny late afternoon down here in the Nation's Capital as the Raiders host the Storm in what should be an entertaining game.

Canberra will be looking to secure a finals berth in ernest whilst farewelling six of the club's veteran players.

Melbourne should be keen to bounce back after last week's surprise loss to the Warriors even with the minor premiership wrapped up.

Changes: Jake Webster drops off the bench for the Storm who are otherwise unchanged. For Canberra, Todd Carney will start with Lincoln Withers moving back to the bench.

1 min: NEWS The Raiders kick-off in the first half.

4 min: TRY Canberra Raiders
The Raiders have come to play tonight, scoring a fantastic try in the opening minutes. After some expansive footy, Schifcofske ducks and weaves before flicking an inside pass to Smith who carries it towards Slater before finding Tongue for a try next to the posts. Brilliant Stuff. The Schif converts and the Raiders take an early lead.
Raiders 6-0

8 min: NEWS Canberra are finding plenty of yards down the western flank where Inglis and Geyer are defending.

13 min: NEWS This game is being played at a very fast pace. The Storm look a little shell-shocked to be honest. I'm not sure they expected such commitment from Canberra.

18 min: NEWS Canberra enjoying a whole lot more possession and better field position.

21 min: TRY Melbourne Storm
This game just keeps getting better. Inglis makes a break mid-field after a big kick buries the Storm in their own half. He beats no less than six men, including fullback Schifcofske with a huge palm, before offloading to King who beats the attention of Mogg to score in the corner. Smith hits the post with the conversion from the sideline and the Raiders cling to a slim lead.
Raiders 6-4

25 min: NEWS A near thing there as the Storm start to warm to the contest. Kidwell made a break and found Cronk in support who looked for Geyer out wide only to butcher it with poor positioning from both halfback and wing.

28 min: NEWS A massive brawl has broken out after Croker was penalised for tackling Slater in the air. King took issue with Croker before Weyman ran a good 10-15 metres to push King and keep the fury alive. King threw the first punch and he is joined in the sin bin by Weyman.

33 min: TRY Melbourne Storm
As the Raiders pressure the Storm line Smith throws a long ball which is intercepted by Inglis and he runs 85m to score. It's exciting stuff down here tonight. Smith adds the extras to open up a 4-point lead.
Storm 10-6

38 min: NEWS Another neart miss as Kidwell loses the ball close to the line with a try begging.

39 min: TRY Melbourne Storm
The Storm extend their lead with Hoffman receiving a nice short ball close to the line by Cronk and crashing over about 20m in from touch. Smith boots the conversion and the Storm have a handy 10-point lead.
Storm 16-6

40 min: NEWS The Storm head into the sheds leading by 10 after a surge in the second half.

I'd say beither coach would be very happy right now. Bellamy is probably a bit upset with King and the poor start his team had.

Elliot is probably a bit angry with the way the Raiders folded in the final ten minutes of the half to allow the visitors back in.

The game is still wide open but Melbourne appear to be getting their stride.

41 min: NEWS Melbourne restart the match and we've got a pulsating 40 minutes remaining.

43 min: NEWS Slater catches Smith with a high shot but it's not placed on report.

45 min: NEWS The Raiders have been caught with the ball on the last in the second half twice now. Silly stuff.

50 min: NEWS Canberra making a few errors here and handing more possession to the Storm.

52 min: NEWS The Storm bombing another opportunity as Inglis makes a bust and offer an atrocious pass to Cronk who grasses it.

55 min: NEWS Jason Smith leaves the field with a lateral ligament injury.

62 min: NEWS Melbourne hooker Cameron Smith is denied a try after sneaking out of dummy half but being held up. The Storm are awarded a penalty for Canberra's markers not being square.

64 min: TRY Melbourne Storm
It didn't take too long and the Storm capitalise on their field position. Nathan Friend goes from dummy half and gives Johnson an easy try under the posts unopposed. Smith adds the extras.
Storm 22-6

68 min: TRY Canberra Raiders
Withers is in for the Raiders, burrowing over close to the line to offer some hope of a revival. The Schif converts.
Storm 22-12

73 min: TRY Canberra Raiders
We're setting up for a grand finale here as Tongue scores his second following a great inside ball to Marshall Chalk who burst up the middle and grubbered to find the hardy red-head. The Schif converts and the Raiders are back in the hunt.
Storm 22-18

76 min: NEWS Carnery finds the line from a 20m tap and the Raiders have a scrum in Melbourne territory.

80 min: NEWS The Storm hang on here to win but Canberra threw absolutely everything they had at them. The visitors are being booed from the field as the Raiders veteran's go down in style.
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Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 - Alan Tongue
2 - Greg Inglis
1 - Cooper Cronk
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