Cooper Cronk cranks it up for Storm in thrilling 32-26 win over Broncos at Suncorp Stadium IT wasn't a field goal this time, but Cooper Cronk's boot was yet again crucial in a Suncorp Stadium win, rescuing his side from a perilous late position in Brisbane last night. Melbourne Storm surrendered a 14-point lead and fell two points down after the Broncos blitzed the opening of the second stanza. The home team scored three identical tries, busting open Storm's right edge defence with monotonous regularity, and was up 22-20 after 53 minutes. On the back foot and looking unlikely to score, a perfect Cronk kick landed in the arms of superstar Billy Slater, who scored his third of the night to put Melbourne back in front. Five minutes later a right-foot step from Cronk put him into space and began a movement that ended with a second try for Matt Duffie. From two points down Melbourne was suddenly 10 points up and, although the Broncos scored again, Melbourne held on to win. Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy says despite defensive errors, he is happy to beat a very talented Broncos team. "We weren't very clinical," Cronk said. We got off to a good start then we gave them too much momentum in that second half. I dare say our coach won't be too impressed by it. After two close wins in the past fortnight, Storm remains unbeaten through the opening four rounds of the NRL season and skipper Cameron Smith said that was important. It was extremely tough. They really gave us a shake tonight," he said. They played with a lot more intensity, that's all it was. They ran harder than us, played an up-tempo game and caught us out wide. Brisbane Broncos coach Anthony Griffin said he has never questioned his team's character after giving Melbourne Storm an almighty scare. Penalties continued to be an issue for Storm and two from prop Jason Ryles after the break gave Brisbane the momentum it needed. The home team scored from both sets when given the ball back and, when Broncos winger Josh Hoffman scored his third, Brisbane was in front. The Storm metronome had been swinging in perfect time for the opening 15 minutes as Melbourne ran in three tries. Before Brisbane could blink it was down 14-0. Slater scored two of the three, and in doing so became the first NRL player to record 200 career line-breaks. But the records sent the needle rattling erratically from side to side pretty much from that moment on. Halfback Cooper Cronk runs the ball for the Storm against the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium. Defensive lapses in the middle and on the edges earned the Storm players a rocket from coach Craig Bellamy at halftime but it didn't work; the final scorecard read 23 missed tackles to only 16. Storm set up the win with the opening blitz but not everyone was happy with the second try, which was Slater's 18th in 23 appearances against Brisbane. Broncos captain Sam Thaiday claimed he was held in the scrum by Storm prop Bryan Norrie, which opened the gap for Slater. Some deft footwork from Smith five minutes later put Slater in when he just managed to get a hand to the skipper's grubber. The home team hadn't been given a chance to settle as Storm, finally having enjoyed a full week of training, showed the benefits of time together on the paddock. That time will increase with eight days until Melbourne has to play again. "And I dare say we'll be doing a lot of work," Cronk said. MELBOURNE 32 (Slater 3, Duffie 2, Sau, tries; Smith 4 goals) d BRISBANE 26 (Hoffman 3, Reed, Glenn tries; Prince 3 goals)