Eko Malu (pictured), making just his third appearance of the season, provided the match-winning try as the Vodafone Junior Warriors pulled off an amazing 38-32 win in tonights dazzling 10th-round NYC encounter with competition-leading Penrith at Centrebet Stadium. Photo: Photosport.
With the contest locked up at 32-32 with only two minutes left, the Vodafone Junior Warriors fed off a Penrith error to surge onto attack, creating the vital touchdown for halfback Malu.
With 29 previous appearances, Malu was in the side replacing injured first-choice No 7 Mason Lino and could hardly have picked a more critical moment to make such a telling contribution.
Centre Solomone Kata, taking over the goal-kicking duties from Lino, slotted the conversion to give the Vodafone Warriors their most important victory of the year so far.
Match details:
At Centrebet Stadium, Penrith
Penrith Panthers 32 (Jarred Wilson 2, Waqa Blake, Sam Scarlett, Bryce Cartwright, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak tries; Bryce Cartwright 4 conversions).
Vodafone Junior Warriors 38 (Alamoti Finau 2, Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Tuimoala Lolohea, Albert Vete, Ngataua Hukatai, Eko Malu tries; Solomone Kata 5 conversions).
Halftime: 28-10 Vodafone Junior Warriors.
Referees: Ziggy Przeklaska-Adamski.
Vodafone Junior Warriors: Ngataua Hukatai; Alamoti Finau, Solomone Kata, David Fusitua, Metia Lesati; Tuimoala Lolohea, Eko Malu; Vince Afoa, Michael Sio, Albert Vete; Raymond Faitalaa-Mariner, Adam Tuimavave-Gerrard, David Bhana (c). Interchange: Kurt Robinson, Sam Lisone, Eric Newbigging, Kouma Samson.
With the contest locked up at 32-32 with only two minutes left, the Vodafone Junior Warriors fed off a Penrith error to surge onto attack, creating the vital touchdown for halfback Malu.
With 29 previous appearances, Malu was in the side replacing injured first-choice No 7 Mason Lino and could hardly have picked a more critical moment to make such a telling contribution.
Centre Solomone Kata, taking over the goal-kicking duties from Lino, slotted the conversion to give the Vodafone Warriors their most important victory of the year so far.
Match details:
At Centrebet Stadium, Penrith
Penrith Panthers 32 (Jarred Wilson 2, Waqa Blake, Sam Scarlett, Bryce Cartwright, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak tries; Bryce Cartwright 4 conversions).
Vodafone Junior Warriors 38 (Alamoti Finau 2, Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Tuimoala Lolohea, Albert Vete, Ngataua Hukatai, Eko Malu tries; Solomone Kata 5 conversions).
Halftime: 28-10 Vodafone Junior Warriors.
Referees: Ziggy Przeklaska-Adamski.
Vodafone Junior Warriors: Ngataua Hukatai; Alamoti Finau, Solomone Kata, David Fusitua, Metia Lesati; Tuimoala Lolohea, Eko Malu; Vince Afoa, Michael Sio, Albert Vete; Raymond Faitalaa-Mariner, Adam Tuimavave-Gerrard, David Bhana (c). Interchange: Kurt Robinson, Sam Lisone, Eric Newbigging, Kouma Samson.
