Junior Rep Report: Round 5 (U17's and U19's)

Both Melbourne’s Harold Matthews and SG Ball outfits travelled to New Zealand in Round 5 with mixed results against the young Warriors. 

In a hard fought battle, Storm’s U17’s side were unable to come away from New Zealand with the points as they looked to record their first win of the 2025 season.

A strong start to the contest put Melbourne into a positive early position as Wivenshalom Tyrell opened the scoring with his fourth try of the season. An arm wrestle in the opening stanza saw the half-time scores locked at 8-8.

Unfortunately a try shortly after the break edged the home side ahead, before a final Warriors try just before full time blew out the final margin as the young Storm side tried to claw back the deficit.

Storm’s U17s return to Victoria this weekend to play Penrith on Saturday at Seabrook Reserve, Broadmeadows.

Matt Duffie’s side made it three wins on the bounce on Saturday, outpointing the Warriors in New Zealand.

A fast start from the visitors gave Melbourne all the momentum early as Waka Hammond and Cooper Clarke ran in tries within the opening ten minutes of the contest. A four try to one first half allowed Storm to carry a 22-6 scoreline into half time.

Despite the Warriors rallying just after the break to reduce the margin to two converted tries, Melbourne were able to wrestle back the ascendancy, extending their lead and putting any hopes of a Warriors comeback to bed thanks to three tries in a 15 minute blitz which included Clarke’s second of the day.

The win sees Storm’s U19’s sit inside the top eight on the SG Ball table heading into Round 6 where they will also face Penrith at Seabrook Reserve, Broadmeadows on Saturday.

Originally published on melbournestorm.com.au