MELBOURNE STORM PATHWAYS – SQUADS SHOW GRIT AT COMELY BANKS WITH u21s CONVINCING WINNERS

Melbourne Storm Pathways – Rep Squads Recap

Easter Saturday saw the Melbourne Storm pathways teams battle out some gritty and tough matches in the UNE Harold Matthews Cup, UNE SG Ball Cup and Jersey Flegg Cup as part of the NSWRL Competitions, at the home of the Pakenham Eels Rugby League Club, and home of Rugby League in South East Melbourne, Comely Banks Recreation Reserve.

UNE Harold Matthews Cup – Melbourne Storm vs Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs

With the Melbourne Storm pathways expanding this season to include the u17’s squad, the Melbourne Storm u17’s were always in for a very tough Round 9 match against the Bulldogs who are sitting first on the ladder and are in the box seat to finish minor premiers for 2024.

The slow start cost the Storm, with Bulldogs winger Paul Johnson scoring 4 times in the first 25 minutes, with Storm lock Micah Warena crossing for the Storms only try in the first half. The home side were struggling to dig in and at the close of the first half were down 20 points to 6 to a dominant Bulldogs outfit.

But a second half resurgence saw a different Storm returning from the sheds, with an early try to Zephaniah Faumuina, and a succession of tries to Phoenix Woods, Lockyer-Azile Foliola and Kyu Fiaui to see the Storm fall just short, with the Bulldogs winning 32 points to 28. A very positive outing for the Melbourne Storm pathways squad in their first season in the UNE Harold Matthews Cup.

UNE SG BALL – Melbourne Storm vs. Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs

After an early try from Melbourne Storm centre Nisifolo Fauonuku and conversion by Dylan Gallagher, that would be the only joy the Melbourne Storm u19’s would have on Saturday, with the Bulldogs racing away to a half time lead of 18 points to 6.

Despite being a tough outfit, the Storm couldn’t recover with Bulldogs centre Sosaia Kaufusi dominating the scoreboard, running in for four tries, with tries from Alex Conti, Bud Smith and Sosaia sealing the win. An almost perfect day with the boot for Alex Conti, slotting 6 from 7 giving the Bulldogs a convincing win, 40 to 6 and securing a run into finals finishing 4th on the ladder. The Melbourne Storm pathways squad have been tough all season, but this will mean they may miss finals opportunities this year.

JERSEY FLEGG CUP – Melbourne Storm vs. Kaiviti Silktails

It was a privilege to host the Kaiviti Siljktails at Comely Banks over the Easter weekend, with this being their first season in the Jersey Flegg competition. The Fijian u21’s team have also had all their Jersey Flegg matches broadcast live into the pacific nation through NSWRL TV and it was amazing to see the game broadcast from the home of Rugby League in the South East Melbourne, Comely Banks Recreation Reserve.

Chasing their first win, it wasn’t going to be the Siltails day, with Melbourne Storms Hugo Peel, Siulagi Pio and Jak Goulding all scoring in the first half taking the home team into the sheds at half time with a 20 to 0 lead.

With an early second half try by Storms Matthew Hill, it looked like the roll would continue until the Silktails Emosi Daubitu and Seru Kalounivalu crossed to get the Silktails on the board, however the Melbourne Storm proved too strong, with tries from Siulagi Pio, Liam Williams and Stanley Huen, giving the Storm well deserved victory, 36 points to 10. With the win under their belt it puts in good stead the Melbourne Storm pathways squad, proving them to be a tough contender early in the Jersey Flegg season.

Photos Courtesy of M&M Sports Photography