Warriors finally win at home

The NZ Warriors finally chalk up their first home win when they defeated the Melbourne Storm by 20-14 this afternoon in Auckland and win the Mike Moore trophy played for between the two sides.

The inclusion of Lance Hohaia at halfback and Stacey Jones moving to the five-eighth position certainly added another dimension to the Warriors attack. At times the passes were flat, at times brilliant. A more concentrated effort by the Warriors forwards than we have seen in the past few weeks certainly helped their cause in very humid and damp conditions.

A narrow half time lead of just 12-10 meant both sides would have to dig in hard in the second half.

Full credit to the Warriors players who with the publicity of the last 2 weeks not exactly flattering, and coming straight off a bye, did just that, dug deep and played the full eighty minutes. The call of the officials seemed to go against them on the odd occasion but they didn't let it affect their game.

The Melbourne side would be disappointed with their completition rate of just 50% and with some very tough matches ahead of them, will have to regroup.

Ericsson Stadium Crowd: 9637 Referee: Tony Archer Video Referee: Chris Ward. Touch Judges: Rod Lawrence, Steve Nash Scorers: WARRIORS 20 Tries: Villasanti, Faumuina, Lauaki Goals: Faumuina 4/4, Jones 0/1 (F/G) defeated STORM 14 Tries: Hill, Bell 2 Goals: Smith 1/3

By the clock: Wet conditions greet the players as they run onto the field at Ericsson. Lance Hohaia gets a start today for the 1st time in 2004 for the NZ Warriors and Rodney Howe back into the Storm side after 2 weeks playing in the Qld Cup.

0 min: Kick off!!

3rd min: TRY - Villasanti for Warriors. A 50 metre break by Hohaia looked to have broken down. Awarded another set of six, a huge gap opens up close to the line and Villasanti is through,. Faumuina converts from close in front. Warriors 6-0

4th min: NEWS - Latu (Warriors) off the field and up the tunnel clutching his shoulder. Dislocated and out of the match. Koopu comes on as a replacement

10th min: TRY - Hill for Storm. First time down their end of the field, the Storm players patient and rewarded with a try to Hill. Smith misses the conversion 20 metres in from touch. Warriors 6-4

14th min: NEWS - Storm on attack and very close to scoring. Referee Archers deems Geyer's grounding was propelled forward. Warriors lead 6-4

20th min: NEWS - End to end football, with little errors sneaking in amongst the slippery conditions

21st min: TRY - Faumuina for Warriors. A hard tackle on Kidwell pops the ball up for the Warriors 40 metres out from their line. Hohaia makes great ground playing at first receiver and Faumuina is too strong close to the line. Faumuina converts his try. Warriors 12-4

26th min: TRY - Bell for Storm. The Melbourne side hot on attack again. Webb comes off the line leaving a gaping whole for Bell to run into. Faumuina makes a brilliant tackle on the line and looked to have stopped the try however is awarded by the video ref. Smith converts 12-10

30th min: NEWS - 5th tackle options by the Warriors is heart in mouth stuff but not quite going their way. The Melbourne side making a few errors in the wet conditions. A brief hint of sunshine. Warriors lead 12-10

35th min: NEWS - Both sides a bit tentative in attack at the moment. Storm's defence is very strong

40th min: NEWS - A great set of six gives the Warriors excellent field position. Solid defence keeps them at bay until a Jones kick to his winger is seemingly tapped back by Meli and Te Mata looked to have scored. The video ref sees otherwise and rules the ball went forward from Meli's tap.

HALFTIME: Warriors lead 12-10 in a close contest

HALFTIME STATS: Warriors - 143 tackles, Storm 170 Completion rate - Warriors 81%, Storm 55% Penalties - Warriors 2, Storm 4 Possession - Warriors 53%, Storm 47% Line Breaks - Warriors 5, Storm 6

Second half underway..

43rd min: NEWS - Howe (Storm) told to go to the blood bin again, he's not happy

45th min: NEWS - Faumuina (Warriors) close to gathering in an intercept right on their line, however he knocks on instead giving the Storm excellent field position with 6 to go. Warriors 12-10

47th min: NEWS - Mellars (Warriors) makes a huge 60 metre bust up the sideline but unfortunately his foot hits the sideline before he throws the ball in field. Ref's call as the video ref couldn't decide, otherwise Martin was in under the posts. The crowd lets their feelings known. Warriors still lead 12-10

55th min: NEWS - Penalties going the Storm way. Plenty of players feeling the effects of the fast pace of the game

58th min: NEWS - A huge break by Billy Slater (Storm) from his own in goal but unfortunately loses the ball forward and looks to have injured his elbow. Te Mata (Warriors) off the field and will only come back if required leaving the Warriors will effectively a 2 man bench. Howe (Storm) after a lot of lost time is sent from the field by ref Archer after not heading to the blood bin for the same injury he's had all match on his head. Warriors lead 12-10 still

60th min: PENALTY GOAL - Warriors. Storm penalised for a flop in the tackle 22 metres out. Faumuina makes no mistake. Time for a rest boys, a lot of players on both sides, sucking in the heavy ones. Kearney (Storm) is stopped by the ref for drinking from his water bottle right in front of the kicker. Warriors 14-10

67th min: TRY - Lauaki for Warriors. Webb held up on the 4th tackle brings the ball back the 10 metres for the last play. Hohaia puts a chip through for Jones. A bad bounce for the Storm defenders, and Lauaki is there to touch the ball down. Faumuina adds the two extra points. Warriors 20-10

72nd min: TRY - Bell for Storm. Never say die attitude allows Bell to get in the corner to score. The Warriors scrambling defence just not quick enough. Smith 7 metres in from touch hooks the conversion rather badly. Warriors 20-14

75th min: NEWS - Tired players all around the park having to dig deep in humid conditions. A lot of work having to be done by the forewards. Warriors hold the lead 20-14

78th min: NEWS - Field goal attempt by Jones (Warriors) is missed

79th min: NEWS - Villasanti (Warriors) on report and penalised for a high shot on Orford as he kicked on the fifth tackle. Orford's option not the one and the ball goes dead in goal.

FULL TIME: The Warriors finally nail a win at home in 2004 over the Storm

FULL TIME STATS: Warriors - 274 tackles, Storm 327 Completion rate - Warriors 75%, Storm 50% Penalties - Warriors 5, Storm 8 Missed tackles - Warriors 27, Storm 27

----------------------------------------- Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 - S Faumuina (Warriors) 2 - W Koopu (Warriors) 1 - V Mellars(Warriors) -----------------------------------------

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