Melbourne Storm have fallen to a 4-20 defeat at the hands of an energised Canterbury Bulldogs outfit on Monday night.
Playing in front of over 16,000 people at Belmore Sports Ground, Storm were unable to work their way back into the contest after conceding the opening three tries of the match.
The Bulldogs set the vocal Belmore crowd alight inside the opening three minutes, jumping out to a 6-0 advantage thanks to a try to fullback Brett Morris.
Continuing their fast start to the contest, the hosts raided Storm on the wings on back-to-back occasions. Tries to Shaun Lane and Sam Perrett allowed Des Hasler’s side to take a 16-0 lead.
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Unable to arrest a wave of momentum being ridden by the home side Melbourne defended grimly before earning some attacking field position in the dying stages of the first half.
Holding Melbourne out, the Bulldogs held took their advantage into the main break and then managed to build on it shortly after half-time.
As they did in the first half, Canterbury were immediately on the front foot, with winger Josh Morris pushing his side out to a 20-point lead.
In an arm wrestle for the remainder of the half, neither side was able to impact the scoreboard until Marika Koroibete scored a consolation try for Storm with two minutes left on the clock.
Melbourne Storm 4
Tries: Marika Koroibete 78m
Goals:
Defeated by.
Canterbury Bulldogs 20
Tries: Brett Morris 4m, Shaun Lane 7m, Sam Perrett 14m, Josh Morris 46m
Goals: Trent Hodkinson 2
