Easts Tigers made it back-to-back wins for the first time in 2018 with a 30-12 victory over the PNG Hunters on Saturday.
With five Storm listed players in action, Easts put in a strong second half performance against the Hunters and overcame their sluggish start to the match.
"We started off a bit slow with some dropped balls but we backed it up with strong defence," Tigers Coach Scott Sipple said.
"Their (Easts Tigers) attitude to defence was the reason why we won the game."
In good news for Storm fans, Cheyse Blair continued his impressive return from injury.
"Cheyse Blair ran for over 190 metres, he didn't get clean ball but he was very strong, always looking for work and helping the forwards out," Sipple said.
"To run 190 metres with limited opportunity was very good."
Scott Drinkwater also continued his stellar Intrust Super Cup season while Brodie Croft and Patrick Kaufusi held up well in defence.
"They targeted Brodie Croft and Pat Kaufusi's side and they held up pretty strongly," Sipple said.
"Scott Drinkwater will be pushing his case for Queensland Residents fullback - he's been very good.
"He's getting better and better every week."
Easts Tigers 30
Tries: Linc Port 2, Jarrod Mcinally 2, Michael Egan, Conor Carey
Goals: Brodie Croft 3
Defeated.
PNG Hunters 12
Tries: Thompson Teteh, Watson Boas
Goals: Watson Boas
