Winger Esera Esera and half Tuimoala Lolohea scored five tries between them as the Vodafone Junior Warriors started their 2013 NYC trials programme with a 40-22 win over the Howick Hornets at Paparoa Park today. Photo: Photosport.
Esera completed his hat-trick early in the second half while Lolohea, used off the bench, bagged the last two tries of the match.
Head coach Ackland used a squad which didn't include any players with NYC experience.
Facing opposition from Auckland's Fox Memorial competition, the Vodafone Junior Warriors began strongly with two early tries to lead 12-0 but by halftime the margin was 16-10 in their favour.
The Hornets conceded an early second half try to Abraham Papalii but wouldn't go away, scoring twice to trail 22-30 midway through the spell before Lolohea's brace sealed the victory.
Apart from Esera with three tries, Lolohea with two and Papalii with his effort, the other scores were centre Ken Maumalo and Toafoa Sipley. Halfback Carlos Hotene and Lolohea converted four tries between them.
The Vodafone Junior Warriors' next trial is against a Waicoa Bay Selection as the curtain-raiser to the Vodafone Warriors-Penrith NRL trial at Waikato Stadium next Saturday.
CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS TO THE HAMILTON TRIAL
The team for today's match was: Viliami Kaveinga, Esera Esera, Ken Maumalo, Stedman Lefau, Alamoti Finau, Phoenix Paeu, Carlos Hotene, Jeff Sua, Sunia Hala, Shawn Marsters, Eric Newbigging, Katamiro Atera, Tama Koopu. Interchange: Tuimoala Lolohea, Sam Cook, Abraham Papalii, Metia Lisati, Vincent Afoa, Kruz Tupou, Sam Lisone, Toafoa Sipley, Mike Young.
VODAFONE JUNIOR WARRIORS 2013 NYC TRIALS
Saturday, February 9 v Howick Paparoa Park 2.00pm WON 40-22
Saturday, February 16 v Waicoa Bay Waikato Stadium 1.45pm
Sunday, February 17 v Glenora Cornwall Park 2.00pm
Saturday, February 23 v Otahuhu McManus Park 2.00pm
Esera completed his hat-trick early in the second half while Lolohea, used off the bench, bagged the last two tries of the match.
Head coach Ackland used a squad which didn't include any players with NYC experience.
Facing opposition from Auckland's Fox Memorial competition, the Vodafone Junior Warriors began strongly with two early tries to lead 12-0 but by halftime the margin was 16-10 in their favour.
The Hornets conceded an early second half try to Abraham Papalii but wouldn't go away, scoring twice to trail 22-30 midway through the spell before Lolohea's brace sealed the victory.
Apart from Esera with three tries, Lolohea with two and Papalii with his effort, the other scores were centre Ken Maumalo and Toafoa Sipley. Halfback Carlos Hotene and Lolohea converted four tries between them.
The Vodafone Junior Warriors' next trial is against a Waicoa Bay Selection as the curtain-raiser to the Vodafone Warriors-Penrith NRL trial at Waikato Stadium next Saturday.
CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS TO THE HAMILTON TRIAL
The team for today's match was: Viliami Kaveinga, Esera Esera, Ken Maumalo, Stedman Lefau, Alamoti Finau, Phoenix Paeu, Carlos Hotene, Jeff Sua, Sunia Hala, Shawn Marsters, Eric Newbigging, Katamiro Atera, Tama Koopu. Interchange: Tuimoala Lolohea, Sam Cook, Abraham Papalii, Metia Lisati, Vincent Afoa, Kruz Tupou, Sam Lisone, Toafoa Sipley, Mike Young.
VODAFONE JUNIOR WARRIORS 2013 NYC TRIALS
Saturday, February 9 v Howick Paparoa Park 2.00pm WON 40-22
Saturday, February 16 v Waicoa Bay Waikato Stadium 1.45pm
Sunday, February 17 v Glenora Cornwall Park 2.00pm
Saturday, February 23 v Otahuhu McManus Park 2.00pm
