RABBITOHS HOLD OUT STORM Melbourne has been defeated by South Sydney 20-10 in the 2nd Qualifying Final at ANZ Stadium on Friday night. A second half charge from Storm was not enough as the Rabbitohs defended their half-time lead to advance into a home preliminary final. After holding the early ascendency Melbourne conceded the first points of the evening in the eighth minute of play. The home side pounced a Storm handling error deep in defence to open the scoring with winger Dylan Farrell the beneficiary. Despite falling behind, Storm continued to advance forward, creating opportunities for their outside backs. However it was the Rabbitohs more clinical in attack during the opening stages of the first half. Piling the pressure onto Melbourne’s defensive line, South Sydney extended their advantage. It was former Storm forward Jeff Lima who found the try-line as the Rabbitohs made the most of back-to-back penalties. Melbourne closed the half the better of the two sides, pressing for a response to claw their way back into the contest. A steadfast South Sydney defensive unit managed to hold out the visitors who went close on several occasions through wingers Sisa Waqa and Justin O’Neill as well as the returning Gareth Widdop. Melbourne Captain Cameron Smith narrowly missed a penlty goal attempt after the half-time siren as his side went into the break 14-0 in arrears. Following the main break, Storm struggled to make inroads into South Sydney’s half. However in true Melbourne fashion, Craig Bellamy’s side continued to toil away, persisting in attack. Melbourne’s constant efforts were rewarded off the back of a scrum feed in the 55th minute when Billy Slater found the try-line after being played through the Rabbitohs defence by Cooper Cronk. Sensing a chance at a come from behind victory, Melbourne continued to turn the screws in attack and went close to drawing within two points of the home side. Billy Slater’s touchdown off the end of another high ball was overturned on review by the video referee. South Sydney sealed the victory as they advanced into the preliminary final thanks to some fast movement out of dummy half by Isaac Luke late in the match. Melbourne Storm 10 Tries: Billy Slater 55m, Will Chambers 72m Goals: Cameron Smith 1 Defeated by. South Sydney Rabbitohs 20 Tries: Dylan Farrell 8m, Jeff Lima 26m, Issac Luke 68m Goals: Adam Reynolds 4 Report taken from the Melbourne Storm website: melbournestorm.au/news-display/Rabbitohs-hold-out-Storm/84417
Posted on: Fri, 13 Sep 2013 23:31:19 +0000
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