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Regional | Melbourne

Whirlwind win for NZ Warriors against Melbourne Storm

It was a whirlwind win for the NZ Warriors against Melbourne Storm with what is being dubbed possibly the best try-assist of the season with an amazing back flip from Warrior Nathan Friend.

The Warriors bravely took to the field yesterday without injured players Manu Vatuvei and Konrad Hurrell on side.

It took nearly 11 minutes into the match before any points were on the board.

Warrior wing Tuimoala Lolohea landed the first try, giving him 7 tries to date at first grade, all scored at Mt Smart.

Just before the 22nd, the Warriors went out wide with David Fusitu'a scraping in to seal the second try.

Over 30 minutes into the game and the Storm still hadn't scored, but as the end of the first half neared, two try attempts were shut down by Warrior Jonathan Wright.

The Warriors maintained their lead with the half-time score at 16-0.

Not long into the second half, the Storm finally dotted one over the line thanks to a kick from Cronk, and again in the 52nd putting extra pressure on the Warriors.

Then came the most acrobatic move of the night, Warrior Nathan Friend with his amazing back flip try-assist that had the commentators on their feet screaming, "Wow!  Nathan Friend!  It may be the greatest piece of gymnastics rugby league you've ever seen!"

This pushed the Warriors out to 20-8 against the Storm.  Storm responded as Cameron Munster broke through the Warriors' defence and offloaded to Kenneath Bromwich for his 2nd try.

Then "Magic" Johnson hot-stepped the opposition for a spectacular try in the 65th minute, converted it himself.

The game ended with a very elated home crowd and the win for Warriors, full time score: 28-14.