Round 2
Melbourne Storm 16 l. Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 17

2008 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: Aus_NZ > National > First Grade Competition: NRL Telstra Premiership

Ross seven weeks, White four weeks
Wed March 26, 2008
Cronulla prop Ben Ross has been suspended for seven weeks and Melbourne counterpart Brett White received four weeks following an ugly incident in the Sharks 17-16 victory on Sunday.

Ross was sent straight to the the judiciary with no charge being leveled at his offence after he collected Melbourne's Cooper Cronk late and high with an elbow after Cronk kicked across field for Israel Folau to score. Ross in the past has been a serial offender for high cheap shots including breaking Kane Cleal's jaw last year, which saw the young Bulldog miss the second half of the 2007 season.

The judiciary found Ross guilty of the offence and his past record didn't help him when handed a seven match ban.

White involved himself in the incident after Ross clocked Cronk and he hit Ross with punches and even a cocked elbow to the face with two Storm players holding onto Ross. White challenged the grading of his offence, but wasn't successful where he was handed a four match ban instead of a shorter suspension.

Both players were sent off by referee Tony Archer following in the incident, in what was a correct and level headed decision by the much improved referee.


Storm's winning streak broken
Sun March 23, 2008
Source: www.melbournestorm.com.au

The Melbourne Storm's winning streak at Olympic Park came to an end this Sunday, with the Cronulla Sharks scoring a rare away victory in a dramatic encounter at "The Graveyard".

Some 10,720 fans were treated to a thriller this Sunday with the score line showing 17-16 in favour of the Sharks.

It was an Easter treat for Cronulla who came close to defeating the Storm last season at Toyota Stadium, but won by the same scoreline that brought them success today.

Both teams went into the match looking to make it two wins from as many starts following success in the opening round.

It was, however, the Sharks that opened strongly, ambushing the Storm with three unanswered tries within the opening 11 minutes of the match.

An early turnover from Ryan Hoffman set up the Shark's David Simmons to take the ball to the opposite end to score the opening try. Luke Covell faced strong winds and failed to convert, leaving Cronulla with a 4-0 lead.

A second try arrived swiftly with Brett Kearney driving through the pack to score the Shark's second try. Again, the Sharks were unable to convert with Covell's aim being offline for the second time.

The early onslaught continued with the Shark's captain, Paul Gallen bursting through the Storm defence to score a third consecutive try for Cronulla. This time, Covell was able to convert quickly putting the Sharks out to an early 14-0 lead.

The Melbourne crowd were finally provided with something to cheer about following a terrific link up between Cooper Cronk and Russell Aitkin to score the Storm's first try.

Cam Smith did not let the Storm down, landing the conversion and drawing the Shark's lead back to 14-6.

A penalty in the 19th minute set up the Storm for a second try with Brett White outmuscling the Cronulla defenders to put the ball over the line. Smith converted to close the gap to only two points with the score showing 14-12 in the Shark's favour.

Following strong defence from Melbourne, the video referee was called to adjudicate on a try from Cronulla's Adam Peak, but was ruled not a try allowing the Melbourne crowd to breathe a sigh of relief.

Smith provided the Storm with one final chance in the opening half after setting up a 40/20, but Melbourne were unable to take advantage leaving the half time score at 14-12.

The Storm began the second half in the unfamiliar position of starting from behind, following a high intensity first half that was won by the Sharks.

The Sharks were given a chance to stamp their presence on the second half early with Covell being presented with a penalty scoring opportunity in the 51st minute. To the relief of the Storm, Cronulla were unable to take advantage of the penalty with Covell's kick offline.

Cronulla could sense a rare away victory with their fast-moving defence holding up several offensive efforts from the Storm.

A series of penalties from the Storm resulted in another scoring attempt that was put through the posts by Covell, pushing Cronulla's lead out to 16-12.

An inspirational try from Isreal Falou and a heavy bump on Cronk from the Shark's Ben Ross ignited the spirits of the Melbourne crowd, and provided the basis for an exciting final quarter of football.

The match took a new turn with both Ross and Brett White being sent off following the late tackle on Cronk and the retaliation from the Storm forward.

In what appeared to be a sideshow to the on-field incidents, Smith was unable to convert leaving the score all tied up at 16-16 going into the remaining 10 minutes of the match.

Both team's defence were under the pump as the time ticked down in the final term, with any one mistake resulting in the taking of the two premiership points, and a field goal looking to be the only option in order to take the game.

The Storm crowd were silenced when Brett Kimmorley, with 90 seconds remaining put through a brilliant field goal to put the Sharks one point in front and out of reach for the Storm.

The siren sounded to mark the end of the Storm's winning streak with final score reading 17-16 in favour of the Sharks.

STORM 16 (Tries: Aitkin, White, Falou ; Goals: C. Smith 2) def. by SHARKS 17 (Tries: Kearney, Gallen, Simmons; Goals: Covell 2; Field Goals: Kimmorley) at Olympic Park.

News sent by: www.melbournestorm.com.au

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