Storm outclass hapless Rabbitohs

The Melbourne Storm have defeated the South Sydney Rabbitohs 24-6 at Olympic Park tonight.

Storm fullback, Billy Slater opened the scoring with the home side posting a decisive 12-0 lead at half time.

STORM 24 Tries: Slater 2, Kearns, Geyer Goals: Orford 4/5 defeated SOUTHS 6 Tries: Fitzgerald Goals: Smith 1/1

Saturday 26 July 2003 7:30 PM Olympic Park Melbourne Referee: Tony Archer

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 - B Slater (Storm) 2 - R Kearns (Storm) 1 - M Orford (Storm)

By the clock: 0 Min: Kickoff!

NEWS: Luke MacDougall for Souths makes a break but doesnt finish it off.

NEWS: Even start here from both sides.

14th Min: TRY - Storm. Billy Slater scores a great try number 14 for the year and 10th at Olympic Park , Matt Orford coverts. Storm 6-0.

NEWS - Paul Stringer (Souths) went straight through but yet again Souths blow a chance good cover defence from Storm.

NEWS - Marcus Bai (Storm) makes a break. Souths left hand side defence is suspect.

29th Min: TRY - Storm. Robbie Kearns charges over, Storm starting to take control now. Conversion successful by Matt Orford. Storm 12-0.

HALF TIME - Storm got a comfortable 12-0 lead but Souths are still in this one and should be close game if Souths can score next. Top Tacklers for Storm are Cameron Smith (21) and Robbie Kearns (19)... for Souths Ashley Harrison (24) and Luke Stuart (21).

NEWS - 2nd half underway! Souths start the 2nd half the way they didnt want with a handling error in the 1st set of 6.

44th Min: PENALTY GOAL - Storm. Orford slots a penalty goal to extend Storms lead to 14-0.

NEWS - Still no change to the scoreline ,intensity in the match starting to drop off a bit. Storm 14-0.

54th Min: TRY - Storm. Billy Slater scores his 2nd for the night and takes his tally to 15 for the season. Orford coverts and Storm now lead 20-0, Orford having a fine game.

NEWS - The game is starting to get a bit sloppy both sides guilty of poor ball security and concentration.

69th Min: TRY - Storm. Matt Geyer goes over for the Storm and this is starting to get ugly for Souths. Conversion missed by Orford. Storm 24-0.

73rd Min: TRY - Souths. Souths finally on the scoreboard through Jamie Fitzgerald. Smith gets the conversion. Storm 24-6.

FULL TIME: Storm win comfortably to put them selves in good position for the finals race 24-6 over the hapless bunnies who havent won for over 12 months on the road.Storm have the bye next week which is good for their finals hopes and for Souths,it doesnt get any easy,facing the Bulldogs. Storm Top Tacklers - Cameron Smith (33) and Mark Geyer (31). Souths Top Tacklers - Ashley Harrison (38) and Luke Stuart (34).