Storm too strong for Rhinos

Leeds suffered heartbreak in the World Club Challenge for a second successive year as they were beaten 18-10 by Melbourne at Elland Road.

The Rhinos - who lost in 2009 to Manly at the same venue - had been 10-4 up after Danny McGuire's length-of-the-field try in the 48th minute.

However the Storm produced an emphatic comeback to gain revenge for the defeat they suffered against Leeds in the same event two years ago.

Tries from wingers Luke MacDougall and Adam Quinn, coupled with five goals from captain Cameron Smith, meant the NRL champions prevailed at the end of a titanic tussle between the top teams from England and Australia.

Missed opportunities

Leeds will look back on two missed opportunities as Kallum Watkins lost the ball not once but twice as he attempted to plant it down over the line.

Brent Webb also came close to scoring inside 51 seconds before Kevin Sinfield slotted over the first points after three minutes. However a leg injury ended the Rhinos skipper's participation after half-an-hour.

Melbourne saw a try from Ryan Hinchcliffe ruled out for a knock-on, meaning both sides had to rely on penalties for points in an opening half that ended 4-4.

Tempers flared when Danny Buderus was dumped head-first to the ground by sub Hep Cahill, though no punches were thrown in the resulting melee.

Rob Burrow took over kicking duties from Sinfield to slot over an effort in the 32nd minute that was sandwiched in between two penalties from Smith.

Defences continued to remain on top, albeit with Melbourne pushing the laws to the limit in terms of slowing down the play-the-ball, until eight minutes after the break.

Having pushed hard from close range Leeds suddenly struck from inside their own half, a ricochet off the boot of Brett Delaney, who passed a late fitness test to play, falling kindly into the path of McGuire.

The stand-off then sprinted 80 metres to dive over and, after two minutes of deliberating over replays, the television official allowed the try to be awarded.

Burrow's conversion put the Super League title-holders six clear - yet that cushion lasted all of two minutes.

Clever thinking

Brett Finch's clever thinking to take a quick tap penalty caught the Rhinos short out wide, allowing MacDougall in for a try on the right flank.

Smith added the extras from tight to the touchline and then put his team in front for the first time after referee Richard Silverwood decided Keith Senior's overly-zealous verbal protests were worthy of blowing for a penalty.

With Watkins - pushed out to the wing to cover for the absence of the injured Scott Donald - missing a second chance out wide, Melbourne's lead remained at two points right through to Quinn's try in the closing stages.

The winger scooted over on the left and with Smith fittingly completing an impeccable performance with the boot by nailing the tough conversion, the Storm were home and dry.