Warriors break the Storm

Storm 20 Panthers 24

Warriors fans were left looking at mathematical possibilities for making the top eight after a thrilling win over the premiership leaders last night.

The Warriors' 24-20 victory may go down as an upset but they were more than worthy of the victory. Taking on a side which hasn't lost in 11 straight games and have a 100 per cent home record was never an easy task. And it was looking even more difficult with the Melbourne outfit putting the first points on the scoreboard.

Matt Geyer outpaced Manu Vatuvei to latch on to Cooper Cronk's crossfield kick and touched down in the corner. But this was the night for comebacks and the Warriors made an early start on theirs.

Brett Webb kicked, recovered and offloaded to Simon Mannering, who forced his way past Greg Inglis to get the New Zealanders off the mark. Lance Hohaia converted.

The Storm responded as champions do, spreading the ball wide for Steve Turner to touch down. With the Storm beginning to dominate, the Warriors needed to pull something out of the bag. Steve Price dug deep and pulled out an amazing cut-out pass to Vatuvei who planted the ball in the corner.

The Storm once again took to stretching the Warriors defence, Matt King going out wide to give brief comfort to the minor premiers. But, by halftime, the Warriors were just two points behind after a penalty goal following a high tackle from prop Garrett Crossman.

The Warriors started the second half with intent, Ephalame Lauaki getting pinged for a late hit on Cronk.

The video ref was called upon for yet another try-scoring opportunity for Webb - but this time he ruled in favour of the fullback.

Inglis' try from the dropout also went to the TV. Webb, who had proved so good for the Warriors was left kicking himself as he dropped the ball with a try looming and still just two points separated the sides.

The Storm began to be looking rattled by a Warriors side with plenty of fight in them. So often this season, the Melbourne outfit have been able to flick onto cruise control. The Warriors created chances only to give them away, Hohaia dropping the pass when they had a healthy overlap on the opposition.

But persistence paid off, Hohaia doing the work to open up the Storm defence, before offloading to Webb to round off for his hattrick.

Storm 20 (Matt Geyer, Greg Inglis, Matt King, Steve Turner, tries; Cameron Smith 2 goals). Warriors 24 (Simon Mannering, Manu Vatuvei, Brent Webb 2, tries; Lance Hohaia 4 goals).

In one of the most remarkable comebacks in recent history the Panthers beat the Sharks 32-28 at Toyota Park after being down 20 points in the last 20 minutes.

The Panthers looked to have been swallowed whole by the Sharks.

But Rhys Wesser crossed the line and Penrith were reignited. Wesser went over again, Craig Stapleton scored and Lee Hookey rounded things off for the Panthers.