Storm 15 defeated Rabbitohs 10
24 May 2008
The Melbourne Storm has defeated the South Sydney Rabbitohs 15 points to 10 at Bluetongue Stadium in front of 8761 fans, the Rabbitohs putting in a valiant effort to come within five points of the reigning premiers.
Both sides scored two tries, with veteran centre Nigel Vagana crossing for both Rabbitohs four-pointers.
The Rabbitohs had a strong first half, restricting the Storm’s attack to just the one try.
That score came in the 14th minute when centre Will Chambers crossed on the back of a repeat set-of-six.
The Rabbitohs had their fair share of possession and field position in the opening stanza, but couldn’t quite put it together to cross the Storm’s line.
John Sutton and Roy Asotasi caused the Storm defence problems during the first 40 minutes, with Shannon Hegarty running straight and hard all half. The Rabbitohs’ best scoring opportunity came in the 34th minute when the video referee denied Nigel Vagana a try, with Vagana missing the put-down in the in-goal.
It was a tight second half with both side trading attacking sets for the first 15 minutes.
The next score was a penalty goal to Storm captain Cameron Smith in 58th minute, taking the scoreline to 6-nil in favour of the visitors.
The Storm scored their second try when Jeremy Smith cleaned up a loose ball in the 62nd minute, taking the score to 12-nil.
The Rabbitohs struck back in the 72nd minute when Nigel Vagana scored to the right of the posts. Billy Slater spilled a towering bomb with Vagana diving on the loose ball to score. Issac Luke converted to bring the Rabbitohs within six.
Just three minutes later, Cooper Cronk slotted a field goal to give the Storm a seven-point advantage, 13-6 with five minutes remaining on the clock.
Cameron Smith kicked another penalty goal in the 75th minute, before Vagana crossed for his second score in the final minute of play. A lovely backline movement to the right saw Vagana find space and cross out wide.
The Rabbitohs were brave in defeat, taking the reigning premiers to the final minute.
The Rabbitohs go on to play the St George Illawarra Dragons at ANZ Stadium next Sunday 1 June at 2pm.
Melbourne Storm 15 (Will Chambers, Jeremy Smith tries; Cameron Smith 3 goals; Cooper Cronk field goal)
defeated
South Sydney Rabbitohs 10 (Nigel Vagana 2 tries; Issac Luke goal)
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In the Toyota Cup match, the South Sydney Rabbitohs defeated the Melbourne Storm 36 points to 14. Captain Jason Clark crossed twice in an excellent performance for the Rabbitohs.
South Sydney Rabbitohs 36 (Jason Clark 2, Eddie Paea, Sam Huihahau, BJ Nathan, Malcolm Webster tries; Chris Sandow 6 goals)
defeated
Melbourne Storm 14 (Jay Aston, Lucas Miller, Trent Walker tries; Liam Foran goal)