Winger Moala Graham-Taufa’s double took his tally to five tries in two games but his scoring deeds were in vain as the One New Zealand Warriors slipped to a 10-22 loss to Western Suburbs in today’s fifth-round New South Wales Cup match at Lidcombe Oval.
The visitors went into the battle sitting third after last week’s convincing 30-18 win over leader Canterbury Bankstown but soon lost contact with the Magpies.
They scored three tries in the opening 14 minutes to lead 16-0, an advantage they protected to the halftime break.
After his hat-trick against the Bulldogs, Graham-Taufa’s first try early in the second spell offered encouragement but the One New Zealand Warriors couldn’t find a follow-up strike before the Magpies went 22-4 ahead through a try to former Warriors junior Israel Ogden.
A second Graham-Taufa try in the 76th minute came too late for comeback.
The One New Zealand Warriors are on the road again next week when they travel to Newcastle.
Match details
Lidcombe Oval, Sydney
Western Suburbs Magpies 22 (Triston Reilly, Brandon Mansfield, Rua Ngatikaura, Israel Ogden tries; Will Smith 3 conversions).
One New Zealand Warriors 12 (Moala Graham-Taufa 2 tries; Taine Tuaupiki conversion).
Halftime: 16-0 Magpies.
One New Zealand Warriors | Taine Tuaupiki; Moala Graham-Taufa, Ali Leiataua, Rocco Berry, Sanele Aukusitino; Ben Farr, Paul Roache; Zyon Maiu’u, Navajo Doyle, Isaiah Vagana; Kalani Going (captain), Demitric Sifakula; James Gavet. Interchange: Geronimo Doyle, Tahi Baggaley, Leka Halasima, Patrick Vaivai.
