Storm contracted players scored all seven tries as the Sunshine Coast Falcons shook aside the Western Clydesdales 40-12 in their Hostplus Cup match at Sunshine Coast Stadium at the weekend.
Centre Young Tonumaipea started the Falcons’ scoring in the second minute and although they briefly fell behind following two quick four-pointers by the competition newcomers, doubles to Tyran Wishart and Jack Howarth helped the home side seize another comfortable win.
Sua Fa’alogo and Jayden Nikorima also crossed for the Sunshine Coast, while Wishart, who had the goalkicking duties until he was rested late in the game, finished with a personal tally of 18 points.
As well as his two tries, Howarth was highly involved throughout, amassing a team-high 198 metres in attack in his back-row role.
Nikorima tormented the Clydesdales defence and contributed two try assists, two linebreak assists and a linebreak.
After missing out on NRL action the previous evening for Storm against the Rabbitohs, Grant Anderson travelled north and played 80 minutes on the wing for the Falcons, while Storm forward Aaron Pene started at prop and ran for 112 metres in his 40 minutes of gametime.
The Brisbane Tigers also poured on the points on Saturday, scoring 10 tries to defeat the Ipswich Jets 54-20 with Tariq Sims playing his first game in the black and gold jersey as he builds back to full playing fitness after an interrupted off-season and start to 2023.
Sims, who was 18th man against the Rabbitohs, played 70 minutes before being replaced and gained 112 metres in 12 runs, including 42 post-contact metres.
Fellow Storm forward Jordan Grant led the way for the Tigers with 177 metres, closely followed by his Melbourne teammates George Jennings (175m) and Marion Seve (174m), who also scored a try apiece. Jennings’ evening also included three linebreaks and six tackle breaks.
In round five, after the Easter break, the Falcons host the unbeaten Burleigh Bears, while the Tigers are at home to the Mackay Cutters. Both matches are on April 15.
