Another grinding workout delivered the Vodafone Warriors their sixth consecutive win in the Intrust Super Premiership at Mount Smart Stadium today.
Ahead just 10-8 at halftime, the Vodafone Warriors scored three second half tries to earn a 24-20 victory over a Newtown side boasting significant NRL experience.
The Jets included Tony Williams, Sam Tagataese and Joseph Paulo in their starting pack with Manaia Cherrington on the bench and former Canberra Raider Edrick Lee at fullback.
This wouldn't be an easy passage for the Vodafone Warriors as they went about protecting their position on top of the points table.
Since blanking Wests Tigers 36-0 in round three, they've been extended to sustain their run of form beating Illawarra 21-14 and Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles 26-14 in the fourth and fifth rounds.
The Jets were on the board first today through centre Jordan Drew before Vodafone Warriors fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad had the first leg of his first half double to level it up at 4-4 after 23 minutes.
Seven minutes later Drew had a brace but the 8-4 lead was short-lived as the Vodafone Warriors struck in the 37th minute with a well-worked try from near halfway.
From the left side of the field, the ball was swung right, Ata Hingano linking with Mason Lino. The halfback dummied, broke clear - as he so often does - with support on either side. He opted inside sending Nicoll-Klokstad away for his second try and converting for a 10-8 halftime lead.
The Vodafone Warriors lifted their intensity and accuracy in the opening minutes of the second half, rolling through their sets effectively to earn good field position. The forwards were beginning to impose themselves.
They were rewarded in the 51st minute when hooker Jazz Tevaga jumped out of dummy half, feeding the human bulldozer Daniel Palavi who hit and spun out of tackles to get the ball down. With Lino's conversion, the Vodafone Warriors had a valuable 16-8 lead.
It was cut to 16-14 soon after when Jets second rower Jayden Walker was awarded a try after appearing to lose the ball in-goal.
Just as quickly the Vodafone Warriors reasserted themselves with prop Albert Vete thundering over off a short ball. Lino couldn't convert from a handy angle but the home side was 20-14 ahead.
The lead stretched to 10 points when a muscular Pat Sipley charge created room, the ball shifted to the left for second rower Ofa Ogden to go over in the 72nd minute.
There was a late scare when Tagataese scored in the 78th minute but ultimately the clock was the Vodafone Warriors' friend.
Match details | Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland
Vodafone Warriors 24 (Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2, Daniel Palavi, Albert Vete, Ofa Ogden tries; Mason Lino 2 conversions).
Newtown Jets 20 (Jordan Drew 2, Jayden Walker, Sam Tagataese tries; Fa'amanu Brown 2 conversions).
Halftime: 10-8 Vodafone Warriors.
Vodafone Warriors | Chanze Nicoll-Klokstad; Junior Pauga, Matt Allwood, Semisi Fotu, Tuimoala Lolohea; Mafoa'aeata Hingano, Mason Lino (c); Pat Sipley, Jazz Tevaga, Albert Vete; Ofa Ogden, Bunty Afoa; James Bell. Interchange: Sam Cook, Chris Satae, Daniel Palavi, Toafofoa Sipley.
