A 28-20 road win over the Gold Coast Titans has lifted the Vodafone Junior Warriors back into the NYC’s top four today.
The defending premiers went into today’s 15th-round clash in sixth spot after a second straight home loss last week against the Sydney Roosters.
They conceded the opening try at Cbus Super Stadium in Robina today but quickly responded to claim a lead they then held for the rest of the match against the lowly Titans.
After centre Semisi Tyrell crossed for his fourth try of the year, hooker Nathaniel Roache had his fifth try and standoff Ata Hingano’s big dummy handed him the team’s third try of the half. He was right on the money with his goal-kicking, converting all three for an 18-8 lead at the break.
Critically the Kelvin Wright-coached side was the first to score in the second half, a 51st-minute try to rookie centre Junior Pauga – his fourth in six games – extending the lead to 14 points.
The Titans pulled it back to 14-22 but the Vodafone Junior Warriors settled back into their work to create another try for prolific left wing Tomas Aoake, his 14th in 14 appearances.
Hingano’s conversion put the Vodafone Junior Warriors out to a 28-14 lead with 15 minutes to play.
While Gold Coast managed a fourth try in the 75th minute, the Vodafone Junior Warriors closed out a valuable eighth win of the season.
Next Saturday night they’re back at home on the club’s #OnesieParty night to face a Canberra side running eighth in the competition midway through the weekend’s round of football.
Match details | Cbus Super Stadium, Robina
Gold Coast Titans 20 (Josh Berkers, Tyronne Davis, Chris Law, Greg Lelesiuao tries; Tyronne Davis 2 conversions).
Vodafone Junior Warriors 28 (Semisi Tyrell, Nathaniel Roache, Ata Hingano, Junior Pauga, Tomas Aoake tries; Ata Hingano 4 conversions).
Halftime: 18-8 Vodafone Junior Warriors.
Referee: Jarrod Cole.
Vodafone Junior Warriors: Brad Abbey; Tomas Aoake, Junior Pauga, Semisi Tyrell, Paul Ulberg; Ata Hingano, Erin Clark; Bunty Afoa, Nathaniel Roache, Paul Tuli; Matiu Love-Henry, Marata Niukore; Jazz Tevaga. Interchange: Amoni Tufui, Chris Sio, Tualima Tualima, Ofahiki Ogden.
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