FULL TIME – Storm 14 Cowboys 6
In a match that showed extraordinary defence by both sides and the superb kicking skills of both teams halves, the Storm slugged out a 14-6 win in wet weather conditions.
>>MATCH REPORT: Storm rebound with win over Cowboys
First points were earned by the Storm who elected to go for two points after an ugly spear tackle by Granville left the referee no option. On the back of back-to-back line drop outs, Kenny Bromwich was the recipient of a nice Cameron Smith pass and a sliding Cowboys defence which saw him cross over for the first and only try of the first half. The Cowboys had a chance late in the first half, as they ran from inside their half to set off a chain of events which would see Thurston chip kick to the right side for Feldt who crossed over however, the play was called back for interference with a defending player.
In the second half, the Storm opened up with a try by Chambers who pounced on a mistake by Thurston who fumbled a Cooper Cronk grubber kick in goal. From there, both sides went set for set and showed tremendous on-goal defence to repel the attacks of each sides attacking force. However, the Cowboys were their own worst enemy as constant errors deep inside their half allowed the Storm to have possession and field position which would restrict the Cowboys from exerting any type of pressure including restricting a Cowboys team averaging five line breaks a game to zero for the match.
The Cowboys did not open their account up until the 77th minute after a pin-point kick by Thurston found the hands of Kyle Feldt, however it was all too little too late as the Storm would come away with a gutsy 14-6 victory.
The Cowboys have now lost three of their last four matches in a reverse of previous season where they are usually heading into the semi-finals on the back of momentum through wins. Nevertheless, the Storm have showed tonight that when they want to, they can methodically slug out a win against a potent attack. The issue for the Storm is, can they consistently put performances like this one together heading into the semi-finals and there will be no bigger test then next week when they take on the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium next Thursday night. Nevertheless, the Storm have earned the all valuable two competition points.
The sixth placed Melbourne Storm will play host to the third placed North Queensland Cowboys in a Round 25 match-up that, if their first meeting this year was anything to go by, should be a cracking game of rugby league. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary of all the action from 7:30pm (AEST).
The last time these two teams met back in Round 4, the Cowboys were coming off three losses in a row to start the season and the golden point win against the Storm kick-started their season.
Tonight is a little bit different however, it is the Storm who are coming off a shock loss to the last position side in Newcastle last week and their form over the last month has been inconsistent.
In team news, there are no changes for the Storm in the side that lost to Newcastle last week.
For the Cowboys, Ray Thompson will be the big inclusion replacing the injured Michael Morgan at five-eight. Gavin Cooper returns from injury and replaces Ben Hannant in the second-row who shifts to the front-row for the injured James Tamou. Scott Bolt will also replace Coen Hess on the bench.
The obvious key match-up to watch tonight will be the battle of the two halfbacks in Cooper Cronk and Johnathan Thurston.
As this match-up should be a tight one down in Melbourne, the role of getting repeat sets and gaining every inch off of a kick is even more vital.
As usual, the forwards will be instrumental in gaining the metres required to give the backs and the halves the momentum and field position to execute their plays and kicks.
However, all eyes will be on the new halves combination of Thompson and Thurston and as good as Thompson is Morgan is a better fit for the Cowboys side as a whole providing both speed, power and ball ability.
As a result, the Storm halves pairing of Green and Cronk should prove too methodical for a Cowboys defence that has leaked early points all season.
Prediction
Storm by 1
Will the Storm keep their top four hopes alive with a win against the Cowboys?
Or will the Cowboys consolidate their win from last week and head into the final round of the season with back to back wins?
Join The Roar Saturday night from 7:30pm (AEST) for live scores, updates and commentary in our live blog.
Andrew Konstantinidis
Roar Guru
In a match that showed extraordinary defence by both sides and the superb kicking skills of both teams halves, the Storm slugged out a 14-6 win in wet weather conditions. First points were earned by the Storm who elected to go for two points after an ugly spear tackle by Granville left the referee no option. On the back of back-to-back line drop outs, Kenny Bromwich was the recipient of a nice Cameron Smith pass and a sliding Cowboys defence which saw him cross over for the first and only try of the first half. The Cowboys had a chance late in the first half, as they ran from inside their half to set off a chain of events which would see Thurston chip kick to the right side for Feldt who crossed over however, the play was called back for interference with a defending player. In the second half, the Storm opened up with a try by Chambers who pounced on a mistake by Thurston who fumbled a Cooper Cronk grubber kick in goal. From there, both sides went set for set and showed tremendous on-goal defence to repel the attacks of each sides attacking force. However, the Cowboys were their own worst enemy as constant errors deep inside their half allowed the Storm to have possession and field position which would restrict the Cowboys from exerting any type of pressure including restricting a Cowboys team averaging five line breaks a game to zero for the match. The Cowboys did not open their account until the 77th minute after a pin-point kick by Thurston found the hands of Kyle Feldt, however it was all too little too late as the Storm would come away with a gutsy 14-6 victory. The Cowboys have now lost three of their last four matches in a reverse of previous season where they are usually heading into the semi-finals on the back of momentum through wins. Nevertheless, the Storm have showed tonight that when they want to, they can methodically slug out a win against a potent attack. The issue for the Storm is, can they consistently put performances like this one together heading into the semi-finals and there will be no bigger test then next week when they take on the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium next Thursday night. Nevertheless, the Storm have earnt the all valuable two competition points. FULLTIME STORM 14 COWBOYS 6
Angel hardiman
Guest
This sucks ? im so angry
Andrew Konstantinidis
Roar Guru
FULLTIME STORM 14 COWBOYS 6 Thoughts on the match Roarers?
Angel hardiman
Guest
YESSSS Still going to get to wooped though
Andrew Konstantinidis
Roar Guru
FULLTIME On the last play of the game the Cowboys will spread it through Thurston who gives it off to Cooper but he is wrapped up and the ball comes free as the fulltime siren sounds. STORM 14 COWBOYS 6
Andrew Konstantinidis
Roar Guru
78' CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL Thurston converts to cut the lead down to eight. STORM 14 COWBOYS 6
Andrew Konstantinidis
Roar Guru
77' COWBOYS TRY The Cowboys receive a penalty through a high shot by Welch on Asiata. Thurston puts in a 'Thurston special' cross field kick and it finds the arms of feldt who gets the Cowboys first points of the night. STORM 14 COWBOYS 4
Andrew Konstantinidis
Roar Guru
76' A pass by Thurston goes behind everyone and Linnet is tackled. On the last tackle, a cross field kick by Thurston is taken comfortably by Hinchcliffe and the Storm through Bromwich will work it away from inside their half. STORM 14 COWBOYS 0
Andrew Konstantinidis
Roar Guru
75' The Storm through dummy half running from Chambers will run the ball towards the halfway line. However, Chambers drops the ball and the Cowboys will receive a scrum feed on the Storms 40. This probably is the last shot for the Cowboys to stay alive in this match STORM 14 COWBOYS 0
Angel hardiman
Guest
Cowboys are getting smashed.can't belive it how is this possible?guess they had it coming they won to many games they could do with a lose
Andrew Konstantinidis
Roar Guru
73' The Cowboys make it to the Storms 10 and Thurston on the last tackle grubbers the ball for Cooper but Munster is there to take the ball and the Storm will work it away out of their red-zone. STORM 14 COWBOYS 0
Andrew Konstantinidis
Roar Guru
72' On the halfway line, Thurston puts up a bomb and is taken by a charging Cooper but the ball goes straight through the hands. McClean now makes it towards the halfway line followed by Proctor then Glasby. On the last take Cronk will put a bomb on the Cowboys 40 but Winterstein takes a nice catch which will give the Cowboys a seven tackle set. STORM 14 COWBOYS 0
Justthetip
Guest
I love the positivity mate haha. The ref has made a meal of things tonight. Could have been a good game.
Andrew Konstantinidis
Roar Guru
69' After strong runs by Asiata and Bolton, Thurston passes the ball to Cooper who tries to get free of the tackle but drops the ball in the process. The Storm will now have a scrum feed on their 20. STORM 14 COWBOYS 0
Andrew Konstantinidis
Roar Guru
67' The Cowboys now on the last tackle grubbers the ball in goal through Thurston which is taken dead by Munster and the Cowboys will earn a drop out. STORM 14 COWBOYS 0
Andrew Konstantinidis
Roar Guru
65' An odd looking kick by Melbourne goes to ground and is collected by Linett who drops the ball. However, the ball comes free and the referee has decided to give a penalty for a two-on-one strip against Munster as Scott Bolton carts the ball forward for the Cowboys on the Storms 40. STORM 14 COWBOYS 0
Andrew Konstantinidis
Roar Guru
64' The Cowboys now from inside their own half start to play catch up footy throwing the ball around but nothing eventuates and Thurston will get a kick away which is taken back by Munster. The Storm now make it to the Cowboys 20 and a kick by Smith is touched by Coote which means the Storm will get a repeat set of six right on the Cowboys tryline. STORM 14 COWBOYS 0
Andrew Konstantinidis
Roar Guru
61' From the set, Green nearly goes through for a try, followed up by Munster and then Green but some try saving defence right on their line from the Cowboys repels the Storm attack and they will work the ball forward form deep inside their red-zone. STORM 14 COWBOYS 0
Andrew Konstantinidis
Roar Guru
59 ' The Cowboys threaten the line and almost go in for a try through O'Neil but Koroibete shows his strength to deny the Cowboys. A kick Thurston on the last is an ugly one and the Storm will have the ball 10 out form their own line. Coote now receives the kick and tries to get a pass away but Thurston knocks the ball on and the Storm will once again get scrum feed right on the Cowboys 10 metre line. STORM 14 COWBOYS 0
Andrew Konstantinidis
Roar Guru
56' Munster again shrugs off the first defender and almost breaks the line. Jesse Bromwich now runs the ball forward and Harris takes the next carry which nearly sees him get to the try line. The kick by Cronk on the last tackle is taken superbly by Coote. From the receiving set, the Cowboys cart the ball up forward strongly and make it to the Storms 40 as a to the right hand side on the last and Feldt gets a kick in which is taken by Munster but Thurston comes in and drives Munster into the in goal for a Storm drop out. STORM 14 COWBOYS 0