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Storm's warm-up win

Storm's warm-up win

02/21/2010 06:17:16 PM

Melbourne Storm warmed up for next week's World Club Challenge with a comfortable six-try 34-10 victory over a depleted Harlequins at a damp Twickenham Stoop.

Dane Nielsen overshadowed the comeback of his fellow centre Greg Inglis, the 2009 Golden Boot winner, with an impressive two-try display while Halifax-born full-back Gareth Widdop enhanced his chances of facing Leeds next Sunday with an encouraging performance highlighted by some near-faultless goalkicking.

Widdop, who emigrated with his family to Melbourne four years ago, succeeded with his first five conversion attempts before hitting an upright to lose his 100 percent record.

The 20-year-old Yorkshireman began the match at full-back in the absence of Billy Slater and demonstrated his versatility with highly creditable spells on the wing and in the centre.

Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy used 19 of his 23-man squad in a match played with unlimited substitutions and will have been delighted with the way his side overcame the muddy conditions to brush aside the meek challenge of the Londoners.

Inglis played the first half to successfully test a hip injury and will almost certainly line up against the Super League champions at Elland Road, alongside Slater, Cameron Smith, Adam Blair and Jeff Lima, who were all rested.

Tries from winger Anthony Quinn, second rower Kevin Proctor and Nielson helped the Australian champions to an 18-0 half-time lead and Hep Cahill, Rory Kostjasyn and Nielsen added others after the break.

Harlequins were without eight regulars through injury and coach Brian McDermott was forced to include 17-year-old half-back Max Edwards in his starting line-up.

The Super League side were outgunned from the start but raised the spirits of the 3,612 crowd with second-half tries from full-back Ben Jones-Bishop and winger Will Sharp, both created by second rower Luke Williamson.

Danny Orr added the conversion to wrap up the scoring.

 
Photograph Copyright : Getty Images
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