Storm overpower Cowboys

The Melbourne Storm have put in a polished performance disposing of North Queensland Cowboys 28-6 at Olympic Park tonight.

Enjoying plenty of the posession early on, the Storm dominated play for much of the first half and at the break, held a handy 16-0 lead.

The Cowboys came out firing in the second half and pegged the home side back to get repeat sets before finally scoring in the 65th minute.

But for the most part, the Storm line held firm and the Cowboys were denied their comeback, the Storm scoring two late tries to post a convincing victory.

STORM 28 Tries: Bell, Johnson, Geyer, Slater, Reynoldson Goals: Smith 3/5, Orford 1/1 defeated COWBOYS 6 Tries: Hannay Goals: Hannay 1/1

Olympic Park Melbourne Referee: Jason Robinson Video Referee: Mick Stone. Touch Judges: Jeff Younis, Pat Reynolds

By the clock: 0 min: Kickoff!

3 min: TRY - Storm. Steven Bell scores after getting a roll on and force a Cowboys' line drop out. Conversion unsuccessful from Cameron Smith. Storm 4-0

7 min: NEWS - Penalty goal attempt from Cameron Smith (Storm) from almost in front is unsuccessful. Storm enjoying 81% of the ball early on.

16 min: TRY - Storm. Replacement back rower Dallas Johnson scores. Follows a dust-up between David Kidwell (Storm) and Kevin Campion (Cowboys) - penalty to Storm and a try is scored two tackles later. Conversion Smith. Storm 10-0

18 min: NEWS - Storm enjoying 73% possession.

20 min: NO TRY - Billy Slater (Storm) try has been disallowed.

23 min: TRY - Storm. Matt Geyer scores freakish try after a 40/20 attempt from Storm halfback Matt Orford is knocked back in-field. Geyer is on hand to dive on the ball and score. Conversion from Smith is OK. Storm 16-0

28 min: NO TRY - Paul Bowman (Cowboys) try disallowed for a knock-on.

37 min: NEWS - Cowboys now holding their own. Possession cut back to favouring Storm 55%.

HALF TIME: The Cowboys have overcome an enormous possession deficit to stem the flow. But at 16-0 down, they have all the work to do. For Storm, Robbie Kearns's yardage and Matt Orford's kicking game are stand-outs. The Cowboys forwards are sharing the tackle load and fought back only to be met by some solid Storm defence. Polished performance from the Storm and if they get a better than even share of posession in the second half, the score could blow out.

Second half underway...

50 min: NEWS - Possession is dead even and the Cowboys are getting some quality ball. No change to score, still Storm 16-0.

60 min: NO TRY - Brenton Bowen (Cowboys) try disallowed by video ref. Follows a resurgence from the North Queenslanders who are now enjoying 53% possession.

65 min: TRY - Cowboys. Josh Hannay crosses as the visitors are finally rewarded for repeat sets. Conversion Hannay OK. Storm 16-6

70 min: TRY - Storm. Slater scores and all but snuffs out the Cowboys revival. Conversion Smith OK. Storm 22-6

75 min: NO TRY - Matt Bowen (Cowboys) has dived over out wide and taken out corner post - the try is disallowed following video ref decision.

78 min: TRY - Storm. Kirk Reynoldson scores. Conversion to Matt Orford. Storm 28-6

FULL TIME: The Storm have held firm in the second half to come away with a solid victory.

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