The NYC Thunderbolts have overcome the St George-Illawarra Dragons 24-8 in their Round 6 meeting at AAMI Park this evening.
St. George Illawarra started the match strongly, keeping the pressure on the Thunderbolts until Dee Jay Harris found himself on the end of a high ball to cross the line for the first try of the match.
The majority of the first half was a seesawing contest, but the Thunderbolts managed to hit back through tries to Captain Christian Welch and Francis Tualau.
Harris looked to regain momentum just before the half-time break as he got dangerously close to a dribbling ball deep in attack, but was unable to keep it in play thanks to the last line of the Thunderbolt defence.
With help from the accurate boot of Cameron Munster, Melbourne entered the break with an eight point lead.
The second half began the same as the first – a gritty battle with neither team giving away many chances. Euan Aitkin missed one early for the Dragons, but Sitiveni Moceidreke redeemed it when he outplayed the Thunderbolts’ defence for an impressive try on the wing.
The tempo of the game increased when Dragons back-rower Jack Bird was reported for a lifting tackle with 16 minutes left to play, and the Thunderbolts were able to press forward. Munster capitalised on the momentum swing by slotting a penalty to extend the margin to 6 points.
A comeback victory was then put out of reach for the Dragons when Storm winger Junior Kirisome crossed the line in the 73rd minute after an ever-pressing Melbourne attack.
Rhys Kennedy added extra points late in the contest, scoring with three minutes left to play and enabling Munster to add another two points on the board.
Melbourne will travel to GIO Stadium next Sunday to take on the Raiders.
NYC Round 6 – Melbourne Storm 24 defeated St. George-Illawarra Dragons 8
Melbourne Storm 24
Tries: Christian Welch (c), Francis Tualau, Junior Kirisome, Rhys Kennedy
Goals: Cameron Munster 4
St George-Illawarra Dragons 8
Tries: Dee Jay Harris, Sitiveni Moceidreke
