Storm ease past comical Cowboys

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Melbourne Storm v North Queensland Cowboys

Melbourne Storm won 32-14 against an errant Cowboys side in front of 19,096 fans at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on Friday night. 

It means the Storm win back-to-back games in comfortable fashion. The win was built on a strong opening half from the Storm which saw halfback Jahrome Hughes score twice to secure the win. 

The hosts were the first side to get across the stripe in the contest. Some short interchange passing from them saw Eliesa Katoa stride over from close range for a 6-0 lead. 

Cowboys had their chances in the first half but they were undone by some committed Storm defense and some turgid end to their sets which saw them turnover the ball close to their line. 

Conversly, the Storm were efficent in their use of the footy. Some good passing again, engineered by Harry Grant sent over his spine partner Jahrome Hughes to give them a 12 point lead. 

The visitors did get themselves on the board in the first half. It started from a late six-again call then Tom Dearden unfurled a lovely cut-out pass for Jaxon Paulo to dive over in the corner. 

That buoyed the Cowboys to further cut into the deficit. There were chances for Scott Drinkwater and Dearden but again, the Storm defense came up trumps again to hold their lead. 

Drinkwater had a late error which saw the Storm capitalis again. The ball refused to die as the clock wound down, it was sent back inside and Hughes was in the right spot to collect a first half double. 

Storm picked up where they left off in the second half. They get a result from a kick again then Hughes punches one through for Nick Meaney to pounce on a grubber for 24-4. 

Cowboys kept themselves in the game with back-to-back scores. Drinkwater supported well to score then some hands from a high kick saw Robert Derby go over in the right corner. 

They couldn't get out of their own way though. Paulo threw one away which led to Nelson Asofa-Solomona crash over from close range and extinguish the comeback from the visitors. 

Melbourne finished the game in style. The bomb was a helpful weapon all night especically when the ball bounces, comes back to the hosts and Tyran Wishart is there to pounce for 32-14.