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Melbourne Storm's Cameron Smith (centre) and teammates celebrate with the trophy after winning the Gillette World Club Challenge match at Elland Road, Leeds, England, Sunday Feb. 28, 2010, after their defeat of the Leeds Rhinos. (AP Photo/PA, Anna Gowthorpe)
Melbourne Storm have won rugby league’s World Club Challenge with an 18-10 come from behind win against Leeds at Elland Road.
Storm skipper Cameron Smith contributed 10 points off the boot as the NRL premiers made amends for their 11-4 defeat to the Rhinos in 2008 on Sunday (Monday AEDT).
Tries to Luke MacDougall and Anthony Quinn ensured the trophy would remain in Australian hands after Manly beat three-time defending Super League champions Leeds last year.
The home team thought it had scored a try within the opening minute when Brett Webb ran over but he was held up by MacDougall on the last tackle.
Leeds were on the board a short time later when a penalty for off-side yielded two points for Rhinos captain Kevin Sinfield.
Melbourne levelled in similar fashion via Smith.
Leeds teenager Kallum Watkins dived over the line in the left corner but spilled the ball before Sinfield left the pitch after a heavy knock to his leg.
Rob Burrow stepped in to kick the Rhinos two points clear and a melee ensued moments later when Danny Buderus was dumped to the ground by Hep Cahill having already off-loaded the ball but Melbourne regained their composure and drew level once again off Smith’s boot.
Leeds finally scored a try in spectacular fashion eight minutes after half time.
Smith’s grubber kick hit the boot of Leeds’ Australian centre Brett Delaney and landed in the path of of Danny McGuire, who powered down the length of the field to put the Rhinos four points ahead.
Burrow’s conversion pushed the margin out to six, but Melbourne responded through MacDougall, who slid over on the right after Slater had been knocked to the ground by Kylie Leuluai and the Storm players moved the ball neatly across the field.
Smith made amends for his earlier contribution to the Leeds try by slotting home a tough conversion from the sideline.
Another successful kick by Smith after referee Richard Silverwood received an earful from Keith Senior put the visitors in front for the first time.
They survived a late scare when Watkins again failed to control the ball as he made a desperate leap over in the right corner and a last-gasp try by Quinn put the result beyond doubt.
© AAP 2012Recommend this story.
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- Leeds Rhinos, Melbourne Storm, Rugby League, World Club Challenge
March 1st 2010 @ 8:18am
Tom said | March 1st 2010 @ 8:18am | Report comment
Storm to good. They should be a top 4 finish in the nrl. Bellemy is a super coach.
March 1st 2010 @ 9:21am
oikee said | March 1st 2010 @ 9:21am | Report comment
Hehe, what about the ref, he had no idea. Ole super league needs to move onto 2 refs before they get left behind again.
Bellyacke, exploited them perfectly.
March 1st 2010 @ 10:30am
Springs said | March 1st 2010 @ 10:30am | Report comment
Silverwood played to Australian interpretations which angered the Leeds players, and the Leeds crowd. Great contest, 2 points in it until the final minutes, at each other’s throats, both teams wanting it badly. Leeds played well for the winner of a ‘reserve grade’ comp. Noticed the upper tier was closed again, like in the Four Nations final, crowd was down because of that., and the rain.
March 1st 2010 @ 1:30pm
Face The Facts said | March 1st 2010 @ 1:30pm | Report comment
great win by the storm. tru heart was shown. does any one have a crowd figure?
also when can we expect the WCC back hosted by Oz?
March 1st 2010 @ 7:32pm
Pete said | March 1st 2010 @ 7:32pm | Report comment
crowd: 27,697
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/super_league/leeds/8530844.stm
March 1st 2010 @ 1:47pm
MattRusty said | March 1st 2010 @ 1:47pm | Report comment
Well done boys, yet again you’ve done us proud again!
March 1st 2010 @ 2:59pm
Mick from Giralang said | March 1st 2010 @ 2:59pm | Report comment
Only caught the second half — the referee seemed to allow a lot of hold-down at the ruck. And did I see the chicken-wing tackle make a chilling re-appearance?
March 1st 2010 @ 7:18pm
james said | March 1st 2010 @ 7:18pm | Report comment
they really need to expand this comp, and aim to make it the pinacle of club rugby league
March 1st 2010 @ 7:33pm
Pete said | March 1st 2010 @ 7:33pm | Report comment
5 penalty goals.. they’ve been watching too much Union
Good tough game, nothing much in it. Nice to beat the poms!
March 1st 2010 @ 7:40pm
Rod said | March 1st 2010 @ 7:40pm | Report comment
The storm ruined the game with their pathetic holding down, I hope they don’t hake the GF this year, I’m sick of their negative play.
March 1st 2010 @ 8:49pm
Dan said | March 1st 2010 @ 8:49pm | Report comment
These games have turned into really serious affairs over the past few years and are becoming worth the early morning wake up! They really need to market the whole thing better and try expand the concept.