Cowboys outgunned as Storm run riot

(AAP) - North Queensland should be thankful for Melbourne because at least they can't finish last in the NRL this season.

The Cowboys were crushed by the Storm 58-12 at AAMI Park on Saturday, with their
woeful season now 10 losses and a miserly four wins.
They can't get the wooden spoon, however, with Melbourne already securing that after
they were stripped of all points for the season because of salary cap cheating.
It was the Storm's biggest total since 2007 when they co-incidentally beat the
Cowboys by the same scoreline.
Despite having nothing to play for except pride, the Storm have lost none of their
will to win and rammed that home against North Queensland, setting up the win with a
24-6 halftime lead.
Storm winger Justin O'Neill played a starring role, scoring a hat-trick in only his
second NRL match.
The 19-year-old, who went to school in Townsville but somehow slipped under the
Cowboys' recruitment radar, crossed twice within four minutes in the first half and
then added his third in the 64th minute.
Five-eighth Brett Finch, celebrating his 250th NRL match, had a hand in all three.
The Storm's opening try, in the 18th minute, was scored by their other teenage
winger with former junior high-jump champion Matt Duffie showing off his aerial
skills to get the ball down as he was tackled into touch by John Williams.
He, too, added another in the second half while Billy Slater, backing up from
Origin, also finished with two.
Fellow Queensland representative Greg Inglis's try in the 27th minute was also a
special, the giant centre intercepting a pass from North Queensland dummy half Aaron
Payne and running the length of the field.
In doubt before the match with a corked thigh, Inglis didn't play in the second half
after aggravating the injury late in the first stanza.
With the score out to 24-0 Willie Mason looked to have finally broken through for
the Cowboys but video referee Phil Cooley ruled that he led with his forearm as he
barrelled through Billy Slater to the tryline, with Mason put on report.
The big forward was heard to plead his case; "I haven't scored a try all year", to
no avail.
In the final minute of the half James Tamou broke through some tiring defence to
score under the posts for the visitors.
Early tries by Jeff Lima and Billy Slater ensured the second half continued in the
same manner for the Storm, although Cowboys five-eighth Shannon Gallant, who was
out-jumped by Slater for his try, saved face with his own three minutes later.
But there was little else to cheer about as the Storm romped home with their try
tally out to 10 by full-time.