Warriors go down to old foes Melbourne Storm

admin admin | 06-16 00:20

Melbourne have extended their record winning streak over the Warriors and their lead at the top of the NRL table with a come-from-behind 38-24 win in Auckland.

Storm five-eighth Jahrome Hughes was the best New Zealander on the ground, orchestrating his side's 16th straight win over the Warriors with a powerhouse performance on Saturday night that included four try assists, three line-break assists and a spotless display with the boot.

The Warriors will have to wait to taste victory against Melbourne, something they have not experienced since 2015.

Their loss to the "bogeyest" of bogey teams was compounded by an injury to centre Rocco Berry, who was taken from the field in agony after appearing to have aggravated a fractured hand.

But the visitors were made to work for their result after falling to a 14-point deficit in the first 20 minutes.

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The Warriors blew the Storm away in the opening quarter in front of a capacity crowd at Go Media Stadium, boasting 76 per cent of possession and 90 per cent of territory.

Melbourne failed to complete a set until the 14th minute in driving rain, but for all the home side's dominance they were made to rue just two tries to show for it.

Out of nowhere, after his side had barely been tackled in the opposition half, Eliesa Katoa stole the ball off Adam Pompey after the Warriors centre came down with a Hughes bomb and crossed over to open the Storm account.

In a scintillating 20-minute spell, Melbourne scored another three tries through Grant Anderson, Dean Ierimia and Nick Meaney to close out the first half on top.

Hughes was at the centre of it all as the Storm completed 11 from 11 sets and bossed possession.

The Warriors started the second half as they started the first, scoring through NSW Blues bolter Mitch Barnett. But the Aucklanders' ill-discipline cost them, with wingers Marcelo Montoya and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak sent to the sin bin within six minutes of each other.

The Storm capitalised with tries to Xavier Coates and young fullback Sua Fa'alogo, who completed his first NRL brace with a game-settler in the 79th minute.

Warriors talisman Shaun Johnson was anonymous on his return from injury.

Halves partner Te Maire Martin notched his 10th try assist in four games, but after the opening minutes was disappointing, sending a kick out on the full and going on report for a high shot on Fa'alogo.

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