2 Jun 2015

Roosters hammer Storm in NRL

5:35 am on 2 June 2015

James Maloney showed why he would not look out of place in a New South Wales jersey after playing a leading hand in the Sydney Roosters' 24-2 win over Melbourne in their NRL game at the Sydney Football Stadium.

The Roosters' playmaker James Maloney in NRL action.

The Roosters' playmaker James Maloney in NRL action. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The Roosters' right edge was outstanding with five-eighth Maloney having a hand in two of his side's tries and setting up another.

While Mitchell Aubusson and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck were also outstanding, it was Maloney's performance that would have given Blues coach Laurie Daley food for thought after his side lost State of Origin One last week.

The Storm took the field without Queensland full-back Billy Slater while their other Origin contingent of Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk failed to make a dent on the contest.

The Roosters move up to 5th, just behind the Storm.

On Sunday the Warriors climbed to sixth place on the NRL ladder after beating the Newcastle Knights 24-20 in Auckland.

Tuimoala Lolohea on the way to scoring a try against Newcastle, 2015.

Tuimoala Lolohea on the way to scoring a try against Newcastle, 2015. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The win was the Warriors' third victory in a row.

However, it was another close-run thing for the Warriors, whose last five matches have now been decided by four points or fewer.

On Sunday night the St George Illawarra Dragons jumped to the top of the table with a 42-6 dismantling of Cronulla at Jubilee Oval.

The Dragons' playmaker Benji Marshall.

The Dragons' playmaker Benji Marshall. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The Dragons racked up their biggest win of the season after running in six tries to one against a listless Sharks side which shot itself in the foot repeatedly.