Cowboys Edge Storm in Intense Round 26 Clash

The North Queensland Cowboys are currently leading the Melbourne Storm 18-16 as they enter the midway point of the first half in their Round 26 matchup. The Melbourne Storm opted to rest several star players for this game, resulting in a lineup filled with fresh faces.

Lazarus Vaalepu, one of the newcomers, made an immediate impact by scoring the first try of the match just three minutes in. He managed to find space near the Cowboys’ line and powered over, giving the understrength Storm a quick lead.

However, the Cowboys quickly responded. In the 10th minute, Kyle Feldt, a great player for the Cowboys, scored a try in what notably is his final home game. Feldt’s skillful offload from Scott Drinkwater helped secure the try as the Cowboys shifted their attack to the right.

Murray Taulagi then crossed for another try just two minutes later, giving the Cowboys the lead. The Storm faced an injury scare with their fullback, Ryan Papenhuyzen, who was taken off the field but was later confirmed to have suffered only a cork. He will not return for the remainder of the match.

Despite the shuffling of their players, Craig Bellamy‘s Melbourne side showcased resilience. Alec MacDonald worked hard to drive the Storm back into contention with a try in the 26th minute, while Tyran Wishart scored following a clever scrum play in the 34th minute.

A dropped ball by Sualauvi Faalogo, who is filling in for Papenhuyzen, gave the Cowboys a chance to reclaim the lead just before halftime. Feldt seized this opportunity, scoring his second try right before the break.

As the second half commenced, Valentine Holmes extended the Cowboys’ lead with another accomplished try just four minutes in. The Storm, however, capitalized on a fortunate situation where a short drop-out from the Cowboys fell into their hands, allowing Wishart to score again, leveling the match.

With a successful penalty goal from Wishart in the 49th minute, the score was even before Reece Robson put the Cowboys back ahead with a try just before the hour mark.