Second-placed Canterbury Bankstown promised to give the One New Zealand Warriors another testing time and did just that with a 30-6 win on Sunday’s 18th-round Jersey Flegg Cup (under-21) contest at Belmore Sports Ground in Sydney.
Not for the first time, the Warriors had to make lineup modifications, the most significant losing the originally-named Motu Pasikala to the club's New South Wales Cup side.
That provided an opening for another debut with 18-year-old Ezekiel Tavita brought in on the wing.
While the team didn’t find much joy, it was day for Tavita to savour.
A Marist Saints and Pt Chevalier Pirates junior, he also played rugby union for the Kelston Boys’ High School.
Match: Bulldogs v Warriors
Round 18 -
home Team
Bulldogs
2nd Position
away Team
Warriors
13th Position
Venue: Belmore Sports Ground, Sydney
He had the satisfaction of scoring on debut, his 27th minute try keeping the Warriors in the contest at 6-10 down and then just 6-14 at halftime.
However, the Bulldogs scored three more tries in the second half and kept the Warriors scoreless to wrap up two points and leave the visitors with a fourth consecutive defeat.
