Storm hold out Panthers

Halfback Cooper Cronk showed no signs of rustiness as he orchestrated unbeaten
Melbourne's 16-10 NRL win over Penrith at CUA Stadium on Saturday.
Playing his first game of the season following surgery, Cronk was instrumental in
setting up Melbourne's three tries as they registered their third win of the season,
all away from home.
The Panthers trailed just 6-4 at the break, but as in their two previous games fell
away after halftime, conceding ten straight points.
The Storm were unusually wasteful with the ball in the first half, completing just
nine out of 17 sets.
They were more clinical in the second half, with fullback Billy Slater and winger
Luke MacDougall scoring tries in the third quarter.
Penrith closed to within six points with nine minutes remaining when winger Michael
Gordon converted a try to fullback Lachlan Coote, which was set up by a kick and
follow up pass from five-eighth Luke Lewis.
The Panthers created a number of decent chances, mostly featuring danger man Michael
Jennings, but botched them with poor execution.
It was Melbourne's sixth straight win over Penrith, whose coach Matthew Elliott has
tasted defeat against his Melbourne counterpart Craig Bellamy on 13 occasions.
A Cronk break had set up Melbourne's opening try for Brett Finch.
Penrith hit back with Sam McKendry crossing late in the half.
The Storm forged further ahead within three minutes of the second half.
Lewis gave away a penalty near his 10 metre line for a late tackle on Finch and in
the ensuing set, Cronk's deft chip kick was caught and grounded by fullback Billy
Slater.
Try number three followed just over ten minutes later.
Winger Luke MacDougall did a passable imitation of an Indian rubber man as he stayed
in play and grounded the ball in the corner despite twisting and being airborne in
the tackle of Shane Elford.