Twal breaks drought as Warbrick foursome gives Melbourne big win

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Wests Tigers v Melbourne Storm

Not very often does a team's only try of the game overshadow a four try spectacular but that's what happened in the Tigers 28-6 defeat to the Melbourne Storm at Campbelltown Stadium.

Inside four minutes, the Storm got on the board when they were able to exploit the numbers on their first attacking set spreading the ball right as the defence fell for a decoy run by Nelson Asofa-Solomona which created an overlap for Will Warbrick to score untouched.

A moment in history was created when after 116 games, Alex Twal got his first NRL try after the Storm couldn't handle a cross-field kick from the Tigers and the loose ball was swooped on by Twal to score.

The Tigers lead lasted five minutes when Melbourne hit back as Will Warbrick got his second try after outjumping his opponent as Jahrome Hughes' kick was pinpoint out to the right winger and Warbrick got over.

Extending their lead just shy of the half-time break, Tyran Wishart was on the spot to pounce on a loose ball and score the first NRL try of his career but without the fanfare of Twal before him. Nick Meaney's poor night with the boot was on show when he put the conversion into the upright from close range and the Storm could only manage a 14-6 lead at half-time.

The second half started brightly for the Tigers making good metres in attack but they couldn't turn it into points and eventually Melbourne took advantage on their first attacking raid of the second half when Will Warbrick got over for his third of the night. The goalkicking woes of Nick Meaney kept the scores at 18-6.

A fourth try eluded Will Warbrick when he knocked on in-goal but it was only a short wait for that fourth one to come when the Tigers defence was torn apart by the Melbourne right-side attack and Warbrick strolled over for his fourth.

The Storm then finally put their left side over when the ball was missed by George Jennings initially but like a seagull on a chip, Kane Bradley was able to pounce on it first and get over in the corner. Nick Meaney finally got his best strike on the conversion attempt from out wide to put the score to 28-6.

Neither side could manage a final try and the Storm held onto a hard-fought victory.

Next weekend, the Storm have their final home game at AAMI Park before the temporary move to Docklands when they host the Manly Sea Eagles, whilst for the Tigers they have the bye before heading to Townsville against a resurgent Cowboys outfit.