The St George Illawarra Dragons National Youth Competition team were downed 34-8 by the Melbourne Storm at Jubilee Oval, Kogarah on Monday.
The Young Dragons banked two tries in the loss courtesy of first half tries to Daniel Stojanovski and Paora Kemp.
Head Coach Ben Hornby opted to standby the line-up previously announced midweek and was rewarded early on with a fifth minute try to winger Daniel Stojanovski.
However, the fanfare was shortlived with Storm centre Junior Kirisome levelling proceedings for the visitors minutes later.
The homeside continued pressing forward and found themselves in the lead for the second time through five-eighth Paora Kemp six minutes from the stanza.
Yet, Storm winger Chanel Seigafo’s blistering run down the flank was enough for the visitors to make it 8-all on the cusp of halftime.
The Storm were the quickest off the mark when second-half play resumed with winger Max Fesolai etching his name on the scoresheet in the 45th minute.
Storm five-eighth Mack Mason converted to make it 14-8.
The visitors momentum continued with fullback Latrell Robinson adding an additional four-pointer four minutes later before Kirisome notched his second on the hour mark.
The Storm centre was on form and rounded-off some individual fancy footwork with a hat-trick of tries in the 65th minute.
Mason converted to make it 28-8.
The visitors managed one final try through lock Logan Houghton minutes from time.
Mason converted to make it 34-8.
St George Illawarra Dragons 8. Tries: Stojanovski, Kemp. Goals: Kemp (0/2).
Melbourne Storm 34. Tries: Kirisome, Seigafo, Fesolai, Robinson. Goals: Mason (1/3).
