Warriors edged by Storm

The Warriors were left to rue a lack of execution in attack after being edged by the Melbourne Storm in a gripping contest at Mt Smart Stadium.

In complete contrast to their

50-10 thumping to the Storm on Anzac Day, the Warriors stayed in the arm wrestle throughout the

80 minutes against the NRL heavyweights.

But the Storm’s big-game experience and some rock-solid defence proved to be the difference as they held on for a 12-6 win to go to the top of the table.

The Warriors were without chief Blake Green for the first time this season after he was ruled out with a rib injury on the eve of the match.

Halfback Shaun Johnson was heavily involved and did his best to lead the Warriors around the park with replacement fiveeighth Mason Lino.

But when they did get into the Storm’s red zone their accuracy let them down as they failed to get to a kick on multiple occasions.

It continues a poor run at home for Stephen Kearney’s side, who suffered their fourth-straight defeat at Mt Smart.

The result sees them fall to eighth place on points differential.

They are still four points ahead of the ninth-placed Tigers but Ivan Cleary’s side has built some momentum over the last two weeks, upsetting both the Dragons and Rabbitohs.