Storm hold off fast finishing Dolphins to maintain their lead at the summit

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Dolphins v Melbourne Storm

Melbourne Storm has just done enough to get past the Dolphins by 30-24 in a high-octane match at Suncorp Stadium tonight.

Storm halfback Jahrome Hughes was the difference for the visitors, scoring a try and having a hand in two more to give his side the edge in a superb performance from the Kiwi number 7. Melbourne trailed and fought back in a see-sawing first half but Hughes' two try assists early in the second half put his side in front for the first time and from there gave them the ascendency over a determined Dolphins.

Redcliffe certainly will be disappointed with the narrow loss but had their chances. The Dolphins suffered a tough hand at the commencement of the game with winger Jack Bostock coming from the field with a Category 1 concussion, leaving the four forward bench in a difficult position for the rest of the match.

The lead up to the game was billed as the battle of the supercoaches with Craig Bellamy having a dominant 30-10 record against his former mentor Wayne Bennett. However, it was the home side that looked to set the record straight when Kenny Bromwich hit a hole close to the line to score the first try of the night.

Melbourne hit back almost immediately, when makeshift centre Jack Howarth made a break down the left-hand touchline. Howarth then found Ryan Papenhuyzen in support and the champion fullback scored a try upon his return from a long injury lay off to even it up at 6 all.

Redcliffe continued to take their chances and had success when off a bomb on the last tackle, the ball was collected by Herbie Farnworth. The Dolphins forwards then provided support to put the ball through the hands to Euan Aitken who dived over in the corner to regain the lead for the home side.

The razzle dazzle rugby league continued with Storm winger Will Warbrick making a break down the right-hand side. The former All Blacks Sevens star then found Tyran Wishart in support to score under the posts and scores were again level.

Redcliffe then regained the lead with a set play off a scrum and the Storm defence were guilty of giving livewire fullback Trai Fuller too much room and he sliced through to score.

With halftime in sight Jahrome Hughes kicked for Will Warbrick who then raced down the touchline to find Hughes back in support and the halfback then stepped past three Dolphins cover defenders to score and even the scoreline to 18 all at the break.

Following halftime, Melbourne hit the lead for the first time in the match through Will Warbrick, who flew high over Herbie Farnworth to score and give the visitors the lead by 22-18.

Back-to-back penalties then cost the Dolphins, the first from a ferocious shot from Tevita Pangai in which he was inside the ten metres and then another for a late shot from Kenny Bromwich and Nick Meaney took the points on offer to extend the lead back to six points.

Melbourne then took the biggest lead in the match when prop Josh King crashed over to score and all of the sudden the Dolphins were down by 30-18.

Jamayne Isaako then put the Dolphins back in the match when he latched onto a cross-field kick on his own try line. Last season's top tryscorer then raced 95 metres to outpace a fast finishing Papenhuyzen in cover to score and narrow the Storm's lead to eight points.

Redcliffe needed to narrow the gap and they were given a chance late when they were awarded a penalty in front with minutes remaining. Isaako landed the penalty to set up a grandstand finish.

The Dolphins came home with a wet sail as Trai Fuller sliced through and delivered a superb pass for Isaako who was brought down by the desperate Storm cover defence to allow them to leave Suncorp Stadium with what could prove a crucial win at the end of the regular season.

Melbourne will return home to AAMI Park post Origin where they will host Canberra next Saturday. Redcliffe will now travel to Kogarah in Round 17 for a Sunday afternoon clash with St George-Illawarra.