The Vodafone Warriors have worked to a solid 20-14 win in today's NRL trial against Melbourne at Rotorua International Stadium.
Live updates of the Vodafone Warriors' NRL trial against the Storm in Rotorua:
First Quarter:
1.00 | The Vodafone Warriors had first use of the ball and made good ground in the opening set only to mar their work late in the tackle count by conceding a penalty.
1.30 | Melbourne's first set in possession also ended poorly, conceding a penalty for an incorrect play the ball. On attack the Vodafone Warriors ultimately set up to their left but Ata Hingano's last tackle kick went dead.
4.02 | From the restart on the 20, the Storm went up the middle and then shifted to the right, creating space to strike from long range, winger Matt Sopa-Lawler scoring wide out. No conversion. Melbourne 4, Vodafone Warriors 0.
10.00 | After conceding a penalty on attack, the Vodafone Warriors forced a Melbourne error and stormed onto attack but a Solomone Kata off load inside the 20 went into touch.
12.00 | Great take of a pinpoint bomb by David Fusitu'a.
14.44 | Some good ball movement from the Vodafone Warriors, Mason Lino runs at the line, Storm hold on too long, penalty. Vodafone Warriors probe through the left, Nicoll-Klokstad threatening. Set up to the right, Lino bombs, Fusitu'a takes and keeps the ball alive for Isaiah Papali'i to go over but called back after the referee had already called held.
18.30 | TRY! First try of the year for the Vodafone Warriors after Melbourne had coughed up a defensive penalty. Hit the left, nice short ball for Solomone Kata to crash through from close range. Mason Lino missed the conversion. Drinks break. Vodafone Warriors 4, Melbourne 4.
Second Quarter:
21.16 | Good solid set for the Vodafone Warriors to start the quarter but ends with Lino's last tackle kick going into touch on the full.
23.58 | Mason Lino recovers well the next time the Vodafone Warriors have the ball, his towering bomb spilled to give his side a repeat set. No joy, though, as Lino's last tackle grubber is cleaned up.
26.50 | Vodafone Warriors pick up another penalty, this time in their half after Ken Maumalo is tipped up in a tackle.
28.28 | TRY! Fus is in. After Maumalo was tipped up, the Vodafone Warriors picked up another penalty and quickly tapped to have the Storm back-pedalling. Ultimately they went for a great shift play to their right, lovely tip-on passes from Peta Hiku and Blake Ayshford giving David Fusitu'a enough space to go over wide out. Lino's sideline conversion was superb. Vodafone Warriors 10, Melbourne 4.
32:15 | Chance to go further ahead but Papali'i loses the ball as he tries to power over.
35.00 | Errors traded. Maybe some tiredness creeping in. First the Storm put it down but the Vodafone Warriors do the same from the resulting scrum. They then make up for it by jolting the ball loose again and transition quickly to go on attack.
39.50 | Good defensive set from the Vodafone Warriors, Melbourne caught in possession on the last tackle 30 metres from the home side's line.
40.00 | The first half ends with the Vodafone Warriors six points ahead. Plenty of good signs with strong carries up the middle, sharp ball movement and variety on attack. Other than the first try, the defence has been on point.
VODAFONE WARRIORS 10, MELBOURNE STORM 4
Third Quarter:
Second half changes include Hayze Perham on at fullback while other young players Chanel Harris-Tavita and Lewis Soosemea are also out there along with former Wigan centre Anthony Gelling.
43.44 | TRY! Ligi Sao over from a sweet grubber in behind the defensive line. Perfect start to the second half for the Vodafone Warriors. It followed an ideal opening few seconds when the Vodafone Warriors were gifted a goal-line drop out after Melbourne allowed the kikc-off to go dead. Lino converted the Sao try. Vodafone Warriors 16, Melbourne 4.
59.41 | Try to Melbourne hooker Harry Grant, catching the Vodafone Warriors out around the ruck close to the line. Scott Drinkwater converted from inf ront. Vodafone Warriors 16, Melbourne 10.
Fourth Quarter:
66.00 | Great defensive work from the Vodafone Warriors. First they caught Melbourne in possession on the last tackle again. After Maumalo was unable to hold onto a bomb, there was another tough shift on defensive and the Vodafone Warriors were up for it, eventually forcing an error and turning defence into attack. It very nearly led to a try for Rotorua tyro Hayze Perham but he was ruled to have knocked on forcing the ball after Melbourne failed to clean up a bomb near the line.
69.00 | TRY! Lewis Soosemea over on the right. Reward for the Vodafone Warriors' defensive efforts at the other end. Built pressure, went to the right and Soosemea scooted in at the corner. Lino missed the conversion. Vodafone Warriors 20, Melbourne 10.
76.20 | The Storm penetrate through their left edge, winger Ryan Papenhuyzen going the best part of 60 metres to score. No conversion. Vodafone Warriors 20, Melbourne 14.
80.00 | All over. The Vodafone Warriors earn a 20-14 win over the Storm. Solid effort with a lot of encouraging aspects. As a side note, plenty of penalties for incorrect play the balls today. The referees were certainly tough in that area.
