A Vodafone Warriors Selection gave the Vodafone Junior Warriors a solid workout winning 30-26 at Bruce Pulman Park in Papakura.
The Kelvin Wright-coached NYC line-up faced a combination featuring a mix of other NYC-eligible players, New South Wales Cup squad members and Auckland club players.
The Vodafone Junior Warriors were into their work quickly as they surged to a 16-0 lead inside the first quarter.
While their opponents recovered with two tries in the next quarter the Vodafone Junior Warriors had a 22-10 halftime lead via an outstanding long-range try. Centre Marata Niukore exploded on a long break finding second rower Ofahiki Ogden in support to finish off.
In the second half the selection gained the ascendancy, mixing a constant flow of possession with good field position to score four unanswered tries for a 30-22 lead.
Prop Toafofoa Sipley grabbed his second try of the contest to bring the margin back to 26-30 with just a few minutes to play.
While the Vodafone Junior Warriors couldn’t find an escape Wright was well pleased with the exercise and the value of trials his players have had against more experienced opposition.
Match details | Bruce Pulman Park, Papakura
Vodafone Junior Warriors 26 (Toafofoa Sipley 2, Erin Clark, Tomasi Aoake, Ofahiki Ogden tries; Ata Hingano 2 conversions; Kauri Aupouri-Puketapu conversion).
Vodafone Warriors Selection 30 (Saula Solomona, Michael Ki, Mikaere Beattie, Marlon Purcell, John Ogden, Chris Sio tries; Mikaere Beattie 3 conversions).
Halftime: 22-10.
Referee: Aaron Donald.
