Melbourne\u2019s mid-season resurgence has continued with the Storm taking another big scalp in as many weeks with a thrilling 32-30 victory over Newcastle.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In an action-packed Friday night match at AAMI Park on 5 June, superstar halfback Jahrome Hughes piloted his team to the win to continue their climb back up the competition ladder after last round\u2019s win over the Sydney Roosters.<\/p>\n
The Storm haven\u2019t lost to the Knights in Melbourne since 2015.<\/p>\n
But, with the visitors arriving on the back of a four-game winning streak, they had to fight hard to maintain that dominance.<\/p>\n
Queensland backrower Trent Loiero secured the win when he planted the ball across the line after running on to a Harry Grant pass out of dummy half, with the 70th minute conversion giving the Storm an eight-point buffer.<\/p>\n
That was the biggest margin of the night.<\/p>\n
However, it only lasted two minutes when the Knights regathered the ball off a short restart and Jacob Saifiti ran on to a Kalyn Ponga grubber to peg it back to two points with seven to play.<\/p>\n
The Storm showed their desperation in defence and held on to win a classic that featured 11 tries, with six scored by the home side.<\/p>\n
Melbourne playmaker Cameon Munster was also heavily involved, setting up a try for Moses Leo, while he also had a running battle with his Queensland teammate Ponga as well as a scuffle with former Maroon Dane Gagai.<\/p>\n
There was early drama with Phoenix Crossland taken from the field on a medicab five minutes in after colliding with Storm centre Joe Chan.<\/p>\n
The Newcastle hooker had feeling in his limbs but was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure.<\/p>\n
Melbourne then opened the scoring through Stefano Utoikamanu, bagging his first try of the season in another barn-storming performance.<\/p>\n
The Storm looked to have added a second but a flying Ponga dislodged the ball from Will Warbrick\u2019s arms with the winger claiming a shoulder charge.<\/p>\n
It was dismissed by Ashley Klein, who sent Ponga from the field in Origin I for the same offence.<\/p>\n
Warbrick did manage to score in the 38th minute which put Melbourne up 14-12 at half-time.<\/p>\n
A Gagai break after the interval allowed Dylan Brown to touch down to take the lead for Newcastle and then Dylan Lucas was denied another soon after, ruled a double movement.<\/p>\n
Hughes, who set up Warbrick\u2019s try with a long, floating pass, then got across the line himself, taking advantage of a loose Ponga pass with the halfback scooting through traffic.<\/p>\n
The Maroons No.1 looked to have injured his shoulder trying to stop Hughes but played out the match.<\/p>\n
The teams continued to go toe-to-toe with Gagai again having a hand in another Knights try, scored by Jermaine McEwen to close the gap in the 60th minute before Loiero\u2019s late effort.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Newcastle will enjoy another weekend off, courtesy of the bye, before tackling the St George Illawarra Dragons at McDonald Jones Stadium on Friday 19 June.<\/p>\n
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