Storm hold on for another close win as they down Roosters
6 hours ago | Rhys Sullivan
Toyota Cup Wrap - Round 9
While it was a shorter round this week, it wasn't short on point scoring, with 238 points scored in the four games this weekend.
Melbourne 38 Brisbane 24
Melbourne continued their dominance at the top of the Toyota Cup table, with a 38-24 victory over a spirited Brisbane side, who were bolstered by the return of Kurt Baptiste. The game was in the balance at 12 all after 28 minutes but a blitzkrieg of tries before halftime, gave Melbourne a big enough lead to win.
Melbourne Storm 38 (Auva'a, Fonua, Williame, McGahan, Loxley, Bromwich and Griffin tries. McGahan 5/7 goals) defeated Brisbane Broncos 24 (Wallace, Frei, Binge, Brown and Whitchurch tries. Frei 2/5 goals)
New Zealand 38 Gold Coast 24
The Warriors just keep chugging along, they consolidated second spot and are breathing down the neck of Melbourne, after running away with it late against Gold Coast. The sides went into halftime locked up but all the defense got to the Titans, the team from across the ditch running in four tries to one.
New Zealand Warriors 38 (Palavi 2, Slaimankhel, Lousi, Taukeiaho, Collier and Malu tries. Collier 5/7 goals) defeated Gold Coast Titans (Hunt, Anderson, Harold and Carney tries. Carney 2/4 goals)
North Queensland 34 St George 6
North Queensland showed they will be there at the pointy end of the competition after they crushed a disappointing Dragons side 34 points to 6 at home, with the Dragons coming off two wins in a row. Michael Morgan showed some of his class from first grade with a double in the easy win to secure third place.
North Queensland Cowboys 34 (Morgan 2, Haywood, Walshe, Grevsmuhl and Santo tries. Feldt 5/6 goals) defeated St George Illawarra Dragons 6 (Catterall try. Gillies goal)
Canberra 58 Manly 20
Slippery conditions couldn't stop Canberra as they flexed their premiership muscles against the lowly Manly side who are languishing in 15th position. Sam Williams again heaping more pressure on Matt Orford for the number seven position, scoring two and was the architect in several other tries.
Canberra Raiders 58 (Williams 2, Chee Kam, Day, Papalii, Medcalf, Baker, Sauiluma, Wighton and McIlwrick tries. Medcalf 9/10 goals.) defeated Manly Sea Eagles 20 (Liaina 2, Taufua and Taufu tries. Drinkwater 2/4 goals)
Toyota Cup Ladder after Round 9
Melbourne 16, New Zealand 14, North Queensland 14, Cronulla 14, Canberra 12, Canterbury 12, Brisbane 10, Wests 10, Sydney 9, Parramatta 8, Newcastle 8, Penrith 8, St George Illawarra 7, South Sydney 7, Manly 2, Gold Coast 1.