After a two-week break followed by three consecutive games on the road, the Vodafone Junior Warriors are at home for the first time in six weeks when they face the sixth-placed Mounties in Saturday’s 14th-round Jersey Flegg Cup match.
The last time they were in home surroundings was for their 10-16 loss to Cronulla at QBE North Harbour Stadium on April 28.
They’re at the same venue this week (1.00pm kick-off) seeking a second straight win for the first time this season following their impressive 32-16 victory over Parramatta last Saturday.
The success snapped a run of three consecutive losses to leave the Vodafone Junior Warriors three points off eighth spot.
The performance was highlighted by an outstanding second half when the Vodafone Junior Warriors recovered from a 10-16 halftime deficit to score 22 unanswered points.
The most remarkable individual statistics were provided by loose forward Tom Ale. Remembering Jersey Flegg games are played over two 35-minute periods – not 40 minutes – it was astounding that Ale should gain an exceptional 240 metres from 22 runs in his 57 minutes of the field. He made 94 post contact metres, eight tackle breaks and four off loads as well as scoring a try.
Fullback Kayal Iro, as well as taking his season’s try-scoring tally to eight, made 189 metres from 16 runs.
While the Ricky Henry-coached team is back in action this weekend, the club’s Intrust Super Premiership side has a bye after blitzing Wentworthville 36-6.
VODAFONE JUNIOR WARRIORS v MOUNTIES
1.00pm, Saturday, June 9
QBE North Harbour Stadium, Albany
VODAFONE JUNIOR WARRIORS
1 KAYAL IRO
2 HARLEY MAYNARD
3 PATRICK ELIA
4 CARLOS HENRY
5 EDWARD KOSI
6 DAKOHTA TAIMANI
7 EIDEN ACKLAND
8 PRESTON RIKI
9 LEWIS SIO
10 WESLEY VEIKOSO
11 BRODY TAMARUA
12 TYLER SLADE (c)
13 TOM ALE
Interchange:
14 RICHARD TOA’I
15 SIONE TUIPULOTU
16 GRAEME PATU-VAEGA’AU
17 SOANE HUFANGA
COACH | RICKY HENRY
