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Kiwi
league veteran Stacey Jones brushed off any retirement rust to help lead the
New Zealand Warriors to a 24-12 win over
the Melbourne Storm in their first trial match of 2009.

Around 11,000 people ignored the global financial crisis
and the shitty weather (heavy rain) to celebrate the return of the little
general who retired from the game in 2007 while playing for Les Catalans
Dragons in the English Super League.

Loyal fans got a 20-minute preview of Jones teaming up
with new Broncos recruit Joel Moon inside the opening half. They were not left
disappointed after the former Kiwi international played a role in engineering
the first try of the match to fullback Wade McKinnon.

The Storm hit back through the hands of winger Willie Isa
to level the scores before Warriors centre Aidan Kirk nailed a quick touchdown
in return to hand the home side the half-time lead.

A slow second-half saw the Storm repeatedly drop the ball
and they eventually paid the price for this when Daniel O’Regan crossed over
the line to extend the Warriors lead even further.

Storm centre Joseph Tomana touched down next but it was
not to be the visitor’s night with the Warriors sealing the win when Manu
Vatuvei snatched a fourth try in the final minute of play.

Equally impressive for the Warriors was new winger Denan
Kemp who slotted three goals from three attempts from a variety of angles in
very challenging conditions.

NRL and NYC teams plus the Melbourne Storm all wore black
arm bands to honour missing New Zealand Warriors forward Sonny Fai. A moment’s
silence was dedicated to Fai and victims of the Victoria Bush Fires.

Vodafone Warriors 24
(Wade McKinnon, Aidan Kirk, Daniel O’Regan, Manu Vatuvei tries; Denan Kemp 3
conversions; Patrick Ah Van conversion). Melbourne
Storm 12 (Dane Nielsen, Jade Williams tries; James Maloney
conversion; Jade Williams conversion). Halftime: 12-6 Vodafone Warriors. Referees:
Jason Robinson and Phil Haines. Crowd: 10,800.

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