The North Queensland Cowboys have thumped the Melbourne Storm by 25-points with a dominant second half performance. The scores were locked coming into half-time but the Cowboys had other plans for the second. Two tries in the first 12 minutes of the half signalled their intent and they didn't let an excellent Nick Meaney try in the 57th
minute bother them. The Cowboys struck back with three unanswered tries to obliterate the Storm's defence late in the game.
It was a night to enjoy for the Cowboys and their fans, a redemption of sorts after their embarrassing loss to the Wests Tigers a fortnight ago. There were signs of the eventual dominance in the first half, scoring two tries in the first eight minutes, however, some poor showing in defence invited the Storm back into the game despite the away side struggling with the ball in hand.
Semi Valemei enjoyed a memorable club debut for the Cowboys, scoring their first two tries and adding a third just after the half-time break. His experience will be the opposite of his opposition. The Storm will be severely disappointed with their efforts tonight, giving up a chance to move up to second place on the ladder. They were uncharacteristically ill-disciplined finishing with 11 errors and five penalties which led to just 43 per cent of the ball, ruling out any chance they had of winning the game. They were able to stay with the Cowboys in the first half, but the home side didn't allow the same to occur in the second half.
A lot of the key players for the Storm felt absent from the game tonight and it's a game Craig Bellamy will be sure to use to fire up his side for the remainder of the season. Meanwhile, the Cowboys will use this as an example of what they can achieve in this competition when they're on a roll. Their attack in the second half was excellent but defensively they weren't at their best and they'll be looking to carry this momentum through for the rest of the season.