Leeds Rhinos have missed out back-to-back World Club Challenge wins after being beaten 18-14 by Melbourne Storm this evening.
© PA Photos
The NRL champions made an attacking start to the match, but the home side's defence held strong, preventing an early try for Melbourne.
Storm took the lead when Stevie Ward was caught offside, giving captain Cameron Smith an easy penalty kick before Billy Slater added the game's opening try a couple of minutes later, giving the Australian side an 8-0 lead.
Brian McDermott's men responded well, Jamie Jones-Buchanan and Ryan Hall both testing the Melbourne defence, with Hall just reaching the try line towards the end of the opening 40 minutes.
An offside from the visitors allowed Kevin Sinfield to kick another two points just before the break, levelling the scores.
Jesse Bromwich and Tohu Harris, who was making his Storm debut, both added tries for Melbourne early in the second half, but Jones-Buchanan pulled one back to reduce the NRL side's lead to four points.
Melbourne pushed hard to open up their lead again, but a series of forward passes cost Craig Bellamy's side a number of try-scoring opportunities.
Gareth Widdup thought he had scored a try for the Super League champions late in the game, but the score was ruled out for a double movement, securing the victory for Melbourne.
Sian Cowper
