After a 20-year low, Bellamy lashes out Storm as “putrid,” while the new Cowboys signing soars — Big Hits
Two weeks ago, the North Queensland Cowboys were on the losing end of history, losing 66-18 to a Wests Tigers team that was on the rise.
They ended a two-game losing streak on Sunday by crushing the Melbourne Storm 45-20 in an overwhelming victory at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
Coach Craig Bellamy had a lot to think about after seeing that it was the most points the Cowboys have scored against the Storm and the most Melbourne have conceded since 2003.
On the other hand, Semi Valemei made a memorable debut for the club, scoring a hat-trick in addition to 144 run meters, six tackle busts, and two linebreaks.
After the game, Bellamy remarked, “The second half start was the same as our first half start.”
To be honest, it was disgusting. The most disappointing aspect of the game today was not our defense but rather the two halves we played. We fell down 10-0 after around seven minutes and were completely outclassed early in the second half.
That’s when we ought to be at our most rested. However, we just fail to learn from our errors. Today, it reached a new height. However, I just cannot predict when the realization will dawn.
“At this time, I am at a loss for ideas on what to alter. It was underwhelming. To be honest, we received what was rightfully ours.
The first state to join the board was North Queensland.
As soon as he collected the lost ball and attempted to extend himself for a goal, Reece Robson came dangerously close to scoring.
Although the Cowboys had a complete set to operate with directly on the Storm’s line, the Cowboys hooker also did well to exercise patience and cling onto possession.
For the first try of the day, Jake Granville leaped into dummy-half and passed to Peta Hiku, who swiftly tapped it onto Valemei.
The Fijian Test winger Valemei, who was just recruited by the Cowboys last month, was rewarded with a starting position on Sunday when Kyle Feldt dropped back to the 18th man.
A few minutes later, Valemei scored his second try, capping a spectacular North Queensland start. Dearden again proudly scored points from a punt as Melbourne allowed the ball to bounce.
The ball seemed to go forward out of the second rower’s grasp, but Heilum Luki was there to gather up the crumbs and give it to an open Valemei.
Although Valemei had a good start with the ball in hand, his defensive play let him down as Xavier Coates cut by Hiku and the winger to score an easy try.
Throughout the first half, Melbourne made many near calls while tearing apart North Queensland on the perimeter and repeatedly exposing its own worst enemy with careless mistakes.
That proved to be true when, in the thirty-first minute, Valentine Holmes scored in the next set after Nelson Asofa-Solomona gave North Queensland a full set on its line.
In that particular instance, Storm halfback Jahrome Hughes attempted to pressure his opponent Dearden by sprinting out of the defensive line, but he was unable to make the tackle.
Melbourne was devoid of numbers at that time.
Once more, just as it had been for the first forty minutes, the Cowboys were scoring points without any trouble, but they were also leaking plenty, as Justin Olam scored by overcoming Hiku and Valemei.
However, Olam was later declared unable to play after leaving the game to have his head injuries assessed.
Nick Meaney sealed his flawless day off the boot with a late penalty goal, tying the score at 14 all heading into the sheds.
The Cowboys’ outside backs answered Coach Payten’s admonition to step up their aggressiveness, resulting in the team’s first try of the second half.
Once more, it was Valemei who beat three Storm defenders to seize a great run by hooker Robson and give North Queensland a commanding field position.
Later in the play, Meaney failed to intercept a pass, and Valemei was rewarded for his hard work by scoring a try in the right corner.
Holmes made it 20–14 with a flawless convert from the sideline.
