The Wests Tigers Jersey Flegg and Knock-On Effect NSW Cup sides travelled to Melbourne to take on the Storm over the weekend, with both coming home victorious for a second weekend in a row.
Jersey Flegg vs Melbourne Storm: 28-20 win
A line break in the 10th minute from Filipe Huahulu on the left wing, saw him pass inside to Riley Oitmann, who scored and converted his own try. The Storm were quick to respond, bringing the scores level at 6-6 soon after.
With only minutes left in the first half, an impressive offload from Pheonix Godinet to Bailey Smith saw Smith cross for a try, with a successful conversion.
Moments later, the Tigers had an opportunity for a penalty goal, which Oitmann made, pushing them into a 14-6 lead at halftime.
The second half opened with Jack Biles kicking a grubber, which was collected by Xavier Tauaifaiga to extend the Tigers lead further. Biles followed up with a try of his own soon after, taking the Tigers to a 22-6 lead.
A try from the Storm narrowed the margin, but Smith crossed again for his second try of the match, with Oitmann converting to make it 28-10.
The Storm staged a late comeback but were unable to catch the Tigers, with the match finishing 28-20.
NSW Cup vs Melbourne Storm: 38-22 win
An early interception from Tino Tavana brought the Magpies into the match, leading to a set of plays that saw the ball move through the backline to Fiohiva Fainga’a on the left, scoring in his fifth consecutive match.
Four minutes later, the Storm found space in the middle and scored, converting the try to put the home side ahead 6-4.
Josese Lanyon found Vaka Aho in space, who powered through the Storm defence close to the posts, giving Javon Andrews an easy conversion.
Melbourne responded and retook the lead with 10 minutes left in the half, but two well-executed converted tries from Lanyon and Mitchell Taotua before halftime put the Magpies ahead 22-12 at the break.
Early in the second half, the Storm closed the gap with a converted try, reducing the Magpies lead to four points.
However, tries from Tino Tavana, Solomone Saukuru, and a second from Fainga’a sealed a 38-22 victory for the Western Suburbs Magpies in the sides’ first-ever match at AAMI Park.
