Reigning NRL and world club kings Melbourne demonstrated all of their championship qualities in fighting back from an early 14-0 deficit, grimly defending their line for long periods of the second half, then breaking the game open when opportunity knocked.

The steadying influence of experienced playmakers Brett Finch and Cameron Smith allowed the Storm to conjure up a 20-14 victory at EnergyAustralia Stadium on Saturday night against a Newcastle side who dominated the game everywhere but on the scoreboard.

Sneaking through a gap on the edge of the ruck, Finch turned an inch into half the field and sent centre Dane Nielsen across for a 70th-minute try that as good as ended Newcastle’s resistance.

The Knights could argue they had legitimate tries disallowed, to Evarn Tuimavave in the 56th minute when referees Steve Lyons and Alan Shortall ruled the Storm did not gain an advantage from a Cory Paterson knock-on, and Aku Uate (58th) for Jarrod Mullen’s marginal forward pass.

Even after those setbacks, Newcastle had chance after chance camped deep in enemy territory.

But, unlike their seasoned Storm counterparts, Knights halves Mullen and Scott Dureau could not close the deal for their side against Melbourne’s relentless defence.

‘‘... Come the 60th minute, when I was looking for our team to get back in the contest, I thought their effort was outstanding to put the pressure back on the Storm,’’ Stone said.

‘‘But the Storm showed some championship qualities in ‘D’ [defence] and our execution probably needed to be a little bit sharper if we were going to score a try or get some points.

‘‘We’re probably a little bit new in the structure that we want to play and under pressure we came up with a few wrong options, there’s no doubt about it ...

‘‘It probably is a work in progress and we’ll learn from it. It’s an issue but we’ve got to keep working hard and fine-tuning what we’re doing and see if we can come out and execute a little better next time.’’