ID :
167661
Sat, 03/12/2011 - 13:06
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/167661
The shortlink copeid
Storm held to 6-6 by Manly
SYDNEY, March 12 (AAP)-Melbourne's quest for their first NRL competition points of the season stalled when they were held 6-6 by Manly at halftime at AAMI Park.
The two teams were locked at 2-2 until just four minutes before halftime when Storm winger Matt Duffie touched down.
But Manly equalled that effort with only a minute remaining with their winger Michael Robertson crossing the line.
After being stripped of all competition points last year as part of their salary-cap rorting punishment, the Storm were eagerly awaiting the opening match of the 2011 season at AAMI Park.
The new-look side, missing stars Greg Inglis, Brett Finch and Brett White among others, looked up to the task against Manly, who have shown good form during the trials.
The Sea Eagles dominated the opening exchanges but the only points they were able to come up with were through the boot of skipper Jamie Lyon, who kicked a penalty in the seventh minute after Cooper Cronk was penalised at the tackle.
Melbourne then started to lift their game but they too lacked some finishing finesse.
Manly forward Anthony Watmough was also penalised at the tackle, with Cameron Smith on target with his strike to level the score in the 15th minute.
Neither side was able to break the stranglehold until Duffie's 36th minute effort when he ran on to a long, floating pass from fullback Billy Slater to cross unimpeded.
Robertson's try was a similar effort when Sea Eagles fullback Brett Stewart, playing his first NRL game in a year following a knee reconstruction, sent a long ball on to his wingman, who cut back inside the Storm defence to score.
The two teams were locked at 2-2 until just four minutes before halftime when Storm winger Matt Duffie touched down.
But Manly equalled that effort with only a minute remaining with their winger Michael Robertson crossing the line.
After being stripped of all competition points last year as part of their salary-cap rorting punishment, the Storm were eagerly awaiting the opening match of the 2011 season at AAMI Park.
The new-look side, missing stars Greg Inglis, Brett Finch and Brett White among others, looked up to the task against Manly, who have shown good form during the trials.
The Sea Eagles dominated the opening exchanges but the only points they were able to come up with were through the boot of skipper Jamie Lyon, who kicked a penalty in the seventh minute after Cooper Cronk was penalised at the tackle.
Melbourne then started to lift their game but they too lacked some finishing finesse.
Manly forward Anthony Watmough was also penalised at the tackle, with Cameron Smith on target with his strike to level the score in the 15th minute.
Neither side was able to break the stranglehold until Duffie's 36th minute effort when he ran on to a long, floating pass from fullback Billy Slater to cross unimpeded.
Robertson's try was a similar effort when Sea Eagles fullback Brett Stewart, playing his first NRL game in a year following a knee reconstruction, sent a long ball on to his wingman, who cut back inside the Storm defence to score.
