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http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,21679702-23214,00.html
New Benji heartbreak
By Barry Toohey
May 05, 2007
BENJI Marshall's playing future was under a cloud last night after the Wests Tigers star sustained his fourth major shoulder injury in four seasons.
Marshall lasted just six minutes of the clash with Melbourne, but the Tigers still held on to end Melbourne's unbeaten run.
Attempting to make a tackle on Storm winger Israel Folau, Marshall dislocated his right shoulder after colliding with teammate Taniela Tuiaki. It is the same shoulder he dislocated twice last season.
The injury soured an otherwise great night for the Tigers.
After trailing 22-0 at half-time, the Storm threatened a second-half comeback with two tries, but a Ben Galea try six minutes from fulltime wrapped up victory.
Going into the game without injured fullback Brett Hodgson, the Tigers looked even more vulnerable when Marshall left the field holding his shoulder.
But it was apparent early that the unbeaten Storm were off their game. They appeared disinterested and lacked enthusiasm and only a minute after Marshall left the field, the Tigers took advantage.
Storm five-eighth Greg Inglis dropped a ball cold 30 metres from his line and replacement Chris Lawrence swooped and crossed untouched.
It was the young centre's first touch of the ball after he was pitched into the game as Marshall's replacement by coach Tim Sheens.
If Storm coach Craig Bellamy thought the try might awaken his side, he was disappointed.
The Tigers continued to pressure and, after Dean Collis put his side 8-0 up midway through the half with a penalty goal, they kicked further ahead after some brilliance from hooker Robbie Farah.
Scooting out of dummy-half eight metres out, Farah showed the ball twice before stepping past Inglis and managing to cross despite the attention of two Storm defenders.
Tigers replacement Danny Galea could find himself in hot water after being placed on report for a dangerous tackle on Ben Cross six minutes from halftime.
But the penalty made little difference to the Tigers' momentum, with Collis adding a further penalty goal a minute later for a 16-0 lead after the Storm coughed up possession.
Lawrence completed a dream opening 40 minutes for his side with a remarkable try two minutes from the break.
Picking up the ball after it was kicked out of a scrum, Lawrence beat five feeble attempts to halt his progress to score a great individual try to give his side their 22-0 half-time lead. It told the story of the opening half for the Storm.
Melbourne needed an early try in the second half to put themselves back in the hunt, and they got it six minutes in through centre Matt King.
Inglis and Billy Slater combined for a second-man play down the shortside, with King crashing through from close range.
Referee Tony Archer went to the video referee after the hint of an obstruction, but with the rule now amended, the Storm were the beneficiaries.
The four-pointer seemed to spark the competition leaders and suddenly the Tigers were on the retreat.
Melbourne wasted no time converting the pressure into points a second time, with lock Dallas Johnson crossing just four minutes later.
The try came after Folau cleaned up a Cooper Cronk cross kick before the halfback handled again and his inside pass found Johnson for the try.
New Benji heartbreak
By Barry Toohey
May 05, 2007
BENJI Marshall's playing future was under a cloud last night after the Wests Tigers star sustained his fourth major shoulder injury in four seasons.
Marshall lasted just six minutes of the clash with Melbourne, but the Tigers still held on to end Melbourne's unbeaten run.
Attempting to make a tackle on Storm winger Israel Folau, Marshall dislocated his right shoulder after colliding with teammate Taniela Tuiaki. It is the same shoulder he dislocated twice last season.
The injury soured an otherwise great night for the Tigers.
After trailing 22-0 at half-time, the Storm threatened a second-half comeback with two tries, but a Ben Galea try six minutes from fulltime wrapped up victory.
Going into the game without injured fullback Brett Hodgson, the Tigers looked even more vulnerable when Marshall left the field holding his shoulder.
But it was apparent early that the unbeaten Storm were off their game. They appeared disinterested and lacked enthusiasm and only a minute after Marshall left the field, the Tigers took advantage.
Storm five-eighth Greg Inglis dropped a ball cold 30 metres from his line and replacement Chris Lawrence swooped and crossed untouched.
It was the young centre's first touch of the ball after he was pitched into the game as Marshall's replacement by coach Tim Sheens.
If Storm coach Craig Bellamy thought the try might awaken his side, he was disappointed.
The Tigers continued to pressure and, after Dean Collis put his side 8-0 up midway through the half with a penalty goal, they kicked further ahead after some brilliance from hooker Robbie Farah.
Scooting out of dummy-half eight metres out, Farah showed the ball twice before stepping past Inglis and managing to cross despite the attention of two Storm defenders.
Tigers replacement Danny Galea could find himself in hot water after being placed on report for a dangerous tackle on Ben Cross six minutes from halftime.
But the penalty made little difference to the Tigers' momentum, with Collis adding a further penalty goal a minute later for a 16-0 lead after the Storm coughed up possession.
Lawrence completed a dream opening 40 minutes for his side with a remarkable try two minutes from the break.
Picking up the ball after it was kicked out of a scrum, Lawrence beat five feeble attempts to halt his progress to score a great individual try to give his side their 22-0 half-time lead. It told the story of the opening half for the Storm.
Melbourne needed an early try in the second half to put themselves back in the hunt, and they got it six minutes in through centre Matt King.
Inglis and Billy Slater combined for a second-man play down the shortside, with King crashing through from close range.
Referee Tony Archer went to the video referee after the hint of an obstruction, but with the rule now amended, the Storm were the beneficiaries.
The four-pointer seemed to spark the competition leaders and suddenly the Tigers were on the retreat.
Melbourne wasted no time converting the pressure into points a second time, with lock Dallas Johnson crossing just four minutes later.
The try came after Folau cleaned up a Cooper Cronk cross kick before the halfback handled again and his inside pass found Johnson for the try.
