Junior Pauga marked just his second NYC outing with a hat-trick to help the Vodafone Junior Warriors to a crushing 46-16 win over Parramatta in Saturday’s 10th-round clash at Pirtek Stadium.
After making his debut from the bench against Cronulla last week, Pauga was in the centres against the Eels and picked up his first try just before halftime before snaring two more in the second half.
The Vodafone Junior Warriors’ outside backs had a field day. As well as treble for Pauga, wings Tomas Aoake and Paul Ulberg also picked up doubles as the 2014 NYC premiers went on a rampage.
Leading 26-0 at halftime they weren’t as dominant in the second half but still did more than enough to win comfortably and ensure they remain fourth going into their first bye next week.
While Pauga, Ulberg and Aoake garnered seven tries between them, prop Toafofoa Sipley and second rower Matiu Love-Henry maintained their impressive strike rates with a try each. Sipley again scored very early on as he did last week while Love-Henry was in just a few minutes later.
It’s the Vodafone Junior Warriors’ second big win of the season over the Eels after beating them 38-10 at Mount Smart Stadium in March.
BUY TICKETS | VODAFONE WARRIORS v NEWCASTLE
Match details | Pirtek Stadium, Parramatta
Parramatta Eels 16 (Suliasi Suli, Brandon Raeli, Troy Dargan tries; Nathan Davis Jamayne Isaako 2 conversions, penalty, field goal).
Vodafone Junior Warriors 46 (Junior Pauga 3, Tomas Aoake 2, Paul Ulberg 2, Toafofoa Sipley, Matiu Love-Henry tries; Ata Hingano 5 conversions).
Halftime: 26-0 Vodafone Junior Warriors.
Referee: Jon Stone.
Vodafone Junior Warriors: Brad Abbey; Tomas Aoake, Junior Pauga, Koli Oneone, Paul Ulberg; Ata Hingano, Erin Clark; Bunty Afoa, Nathaniel Roache, Toafoafoa Sipley (c); Ofahiki Ogden, Matiu Love-Henry; Jazz Tevaga. Interchange: Tualima Tualima, Chris Sio, Lewis Soosemea, Mattais Heimuli.
