Storm record over the Warriors continues with major comeback

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Warriors v Melbourne Storm

Melbourne have put themselves to the top of the NRL ladder yet again following their 38-24 come from behind win over the New Zealand Warriors in wet conditions in Auckland.

The start could not have been worse for the visitors as the Warriors dominated the opening 20 minutes with nearly all of the possession being with the home-side and they were able to open the scoring inside just six minutes when Adam Pompey was able to slide over in the wet conditions.

A penalty goal for the Warriors put them 8 points ahead before just shy of the 20 minute mark, Marcelo Montoya was able to go over in the corner but it was the work of Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad to throw a miracle flick pass out the back that did the damage. Adam Pompey added his third goal of the night to give the Warriors a 14-0 lead.

Things began to swing towards the visitors very quickly as a penalty put the Storm into attacking position before Eli Katoa was able to pull out some magic to swiftly pinch the ball from Adam Pompey after he landed to score Melbourne's first.

The momentum was well and truly with the Melbournians as Grant Anderson went over after the X Man, Xavier Coates was able to fly high and tap the ball back for Anderson to score. Nick Meaney's missed conversion kept the Storm four points behind.

Melbourne were able to level the score and then ultimately take the lead in the space of seven minutes when Dean Ieremia went over as the Warriors defence was caught infield before Nick Meaney scored after some strong work again from Eli Katoa. Meaney's conversion of his own try gave the Storm an unlikely 20-14 lead at half time.

The Warriors started the second half fast as Mitch Barnett saw a sniff on the line and went straight at it to close the gap to just two points as Adam Pompey's conversion attempt was an absolute shocker and the score remained 20-18.

The wheels had really fallen off the Warriors wagon in the second half as an effort for a Jazz Tevaga try was denied with the bunker going back to an earlier foul play penalty against Te Maire Martin who was placed on report and luckily not sin binned.

Marcelo Montoya wasn't so lucky as he was given 10 minutes in the sin bin for a professional foul after he tackled Jahrome Hughes in an offside position after the Storm halfback took a quick tap. The Storm were able to take advantage of the extra man when they went right and Sua Fa'alogo was able to go over in the corner.

If things were going bad for the Warriors, they got very quickly worse when DWZ was eventually sent to the sin bin after a long conflab between Gerard Sutton and bunker official Liam Kennedy after Dallin was penalised for a high and off the ball hit on Grant Anderson.

The Storm used the extra numbers with a slight kick through the defensive line as Xavier Coates was able to get over in the corner. Nick Meaney converted to give the visitors a 32-18 lead.

A late fightback attempt from the Warriors saw Marcelo Montoya pick up a second try in the corner and Chanel Harris-Tavita converting to close the gap to eight points but the Storm put an end to that inside the final 90 seconds when Sua Fa'alogo went over. Nick Meaney sealed the 38-24 victory with a conversion just shy of full time.

Next week, the Storm minus their origin stars have a battle in Brisbane against the Dolphins whilst the Warriors are also in Queensland with a clash against the Titans.