Two tries in each half carried the One New Zealand Warriors to a 20-10 victory over Manly Warringah in their season-closing SG Ball clash at Navigation Homes Stadium in Pukekohe on Saturday.
The success in the postponed second-round match enabled the team to finish a creditable ninth on the ladder with eight points from four wins and five losses but not enough to make the playoffs.
Marking their return to the competition after a three-year Covid-enforced absence, the One New Zealand Warriors scored first in their season finale through an converted try by centre Sialetili Faeamani in the third minute before the Sea Eagles responded to lock it up 6-6.
Once standoff Phranklyn Mano-Le-Mamea crossed 10 minutes later, the home side led all the way.
Tries to Rodney Tuipulotu and William Piliu completed the victory.
Match details
Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe
One New Zealand Warriors 20 (Sialetili Faeamani, Phranklyn Mano-Le-Mamea, Rodney Tuipulotu Vea, William Piliu tries; Etuate Fukofuka conversion; Sefanaia Cowley-Lupo conversion).
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 10 (Roy Quiroz-Mapusua, Maxwell Taotua tries; Teapo Stoltman conversion).
Halftime: 10-6 One New Zealand Warriors.
One New Zealand Warriors | William Piliu; Ratu Naborisi, Siale Faeamani, Patrick Moimoi, Raphael Sio; Phranklyn Mano-Le-Mamea, Sefanaia Cowley-Lupo; Tanner Stowers-Smith (c), Etuate Fukofuka, Harry Durbin; Eddie Ieremia, Te Waaka Popata-Henare; Presley Seumanu Tigafua. Interchange: Jeriko Filipi, Ben Peni, Rodney Tuipulotu Vea, Te Hataterehapaerau Reid.
