Melbourne have returned to the winner's list in Round 13, defeating Penrith 20-0 at Pepper Stadium on Saturday night.
A stedfast defensive effort from Melbourne helped set-up the victory with five-eighth Blake Green continuing his fruitful 2015 season, recording a double.
A fortuitous ricochet off a left footed kick from Cooper Cronk allowed his halves partner Blake Green to open the night's scoring and give Melbourne the best possible start to the evening.
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Storm did not rest on their laurels after taking the lead, muscling up defensively before making the most of another opportunity in attack. Replacing Billy Slater at fullback, Cameron Munster showed his potency in attack as he scored his second NRL try with a strong right arm fend on Panthers captain Peter Wallace.
Despite trailing 12-0, the hosts managed to ask plenty of questions of the visitors in attack however Melbourne stood resolute. Desperate on several occasions, Storm kept Ivan Cleary's side out with Munster marshalling the defence to deny the Panthers.
Rewarded for their hard work defensively, Green's second try extended Melbourne out to a 18-0 advantage with some breathing space heading into the break.
Storm began the second half as they did the first, bringing a strong attitude defensively coupled with a heightened energy in attack.
With Penrith struggling to maintain possession and Melbourne controlling the battle for territory, Storm decided to extend their advantage beyond three converted tries early in the half. Cameron Smith's penalty goal pushed his side out to a 20-0 lead with neither side troubling the scorers for the rest of the contest as Melbourne controlled the momentum.
The two premiership points secured by the victory sees Melbourne return to the NRL's top four ahead of next week's Monday night football showdown with the Eels at AAMI Park.
Melbourne Storm 20
Tries: Blake Green 7m, Cameron Munster 16m, Blake Green 38m
Goals: Cameron Smith 4
Defeated.
Penrith Panthers 0
Tries:
Goals:
at Pepper Stadium.
