Storm too good for clumsy Raiders

Embed from Getty Images

Canberra Raiders v Melbourne Storm

The Melbourne Storm won their fifth straight game against the Raiders thanks largely to a strong first half and the drizzle that stymied both sides attack in the second half.

Canberra though weren't helped by their own ill-displine and poor defence in the middle of the field.

Scoring began in the 5th minute when a Cameron Munster high tackle saw Brad Schneider kick an easy penalty goal.

In the 15th minute Harry Grant at dummy half scooted out and burrowed through the defence to score a strong try. Ryan Papenhuyzen converted.

Shortly after, the Storm made big metres through the middle off back-to-back dummy half runs by Grant and then Papenhuyzen. The Storm earnt a set restart and very nearly scored twice in the next set, first when Munster was held up over the line and then when Felise Kaufusi hit and spun out of two tackle attempts before falling just short of the line. But just 2 plays later and Jahrome Hughes in the middle stepped off his right foot twice to beat some stray cover defenders before scoring under the posts. Papenhuyzen added the extras from in front.

In the middle of the set after the restart Munster dummied, bounced out of a tackle as he drifted left, then fended off a second defender, broke through the line, drew Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and then passed back inside to Papenhuyzen in support, who raced 30 metres to score under the posts. Papenhuyzen again converted.

After 25 minutes the Storm lead 18-2.

7 minutes later and the Raiders finally got a try when they put the ball through the hands on the right side, with a number of catch-and-passes in the defensive line before Semi Valemei got the ball in space, burrowed down, spun out of a tackle attempt and then hopped forward and dived over to score. Schenider converted from touch with a splendid kick.

The Storm were the first to score in the second half when in the 49th minute, off the back of a scrum, the ball went to Munster who passed early to Justin Olam where the powerful centre just shrugged off defenders and got over the line for a good try. Papenhuyzen converted from out wide.

It wasn't until the final ten minutes when points were again scored, this time from a Raiders set play off the back of a scrum. Wighton got the ball on the left side, drifted left, linked with Nicoll-Klokstad who was running straighter. He sent a long ball out to the unmarked Nick Cotric, who strolled in to score. Schneider's conversion from touch was again brilliant.

The Storm replied with a try just 2 minutes later when Hughes stepped off his right foot twice, ran into a gap, rolled in a tackle and just gets the ball down for a try near the posts. Referee Gerard Sutton said no try. The Bunker though confirmed he did score. Papenhuyzen again converted.

Right on full time, Canberra were awarded a penalty and despite being down by 16 points, opted to take the easy two points instead of trying to score a try. Schneider kicked the gift. Storm won comfortably 30-16.