Storm fail to conquer world

Skyhunter · Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2008 12:33 pm Post subject: Storm fail to conquer world

Storm fail to conquer world

From correspondents in Leeds
March 01, 2008

STRONG kicking in trying conditions by captain Kevin Sinfield ensured Leeds were crowned World Club Challenge champions after a hard-fought 11-4 win over NRL premiers Melbourne at Elland Road.

In bitter cold, heavy rain and strong, blustery winds – typified by the Melbourne kick-off which sailed into the stands – the Rhinos edged out Storm in a match which failed to reach any great heights.

The Leeds victory was the fifth in a row by an English club and the seventh from nine since the challenge matches began.
Leeds coach Brian McClennan said the whole club was "ecstatic".

"It was such a tough challenge and sometimes it's those tough challenges, when you've got to dig real deep, the rewards feel even better," he said.

The straight-talking New Zealander was also full of praise for Sinfield, not least for a crucial break out of dummy half towards the end of the game.

"That was a critical time when we really needed to get some yards and our skipper put his hand up and showed the way," McClennan said.

"I just want to acknowledge what a fantastic skipper Kevin Sinfield is for the Leeds Rhinos."

Storm coach Craig Bellamy could not fault his defence, but acknowledged that the Melbourne attack struggled.

That said, he was pleased with his team's showing.

"I was really proud of their effort," Bellamy said.

"We prepared really well last week and I thought we performed well tonight.

"Certainly our attitude and our defence was tremendous."

Sinfield got Leeds on the board first with a penalty goal after 11 minutes but Melbourne soon struck back.

A slick pass from Storm skipper Cooper Cronk found Ryan Hoffman, who dummied towards Anthony Quinn before powering over for a try to put his side up 4-2.

Storm, who had 11 of their grand final squad in their starting line-up but were crucially missing captain and goalkicker Cameron Smith – voted the world's best player last year – then enjoyed a 20-minute period of supremacy.

But there was no result on the scoreboard and when Rhinos winger Scott Donald received an inch-perfect pass from diminutive New Zealand full-back Brent Webb to score just before the break, the home side stepped up a gear.

Sinfield converted in the dying moments of the half to send the home team to the break with an 8-4 advantage.

The second half started in a heated fashion with a minor melee but neither side could make any in-roads until Jeff Lima was penalised for a late tackle on Leeds scrum-half Rob Burrow and Sinfield kicked another penalty goal to increase the margin to 10-4.

Sinfield struck again via a drop goal with less than 12 minute left on the clock, affording the home team a vital seven-point buffer.

Storm's last chance came with about three minutes remaining when Will Chambers passed to Quinn in the left corner, but the winger put his foot into touch as he ran over.

Source: http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,23301203-23214,00.html

Skyhunter

Congrats to the Mighty Leeds Rhinos on a gutsy win agains't the Melbourne Storm. This years World Cup Challenge Winners in 2008 good on ya boys well done. Very Happy