Two missed scoring opportunities in the closing minutes left the One New Zealand Warriors with their second draw of the season after they finished locked up at 18-18 with Newcastle in Saturday’s round eight Jersey Flegg Cup (under-21) match at the Trusts Arena in Waitakere.
A penalty from 30 metres out and a field goal attempt both sailed just wide while the Knights were also astray with a late one-point shot.
The draw followed the Warriors’ 20-20 draw with the Wests Tigers in round four, this one more disappointing because the Knights had won just once this season.
The contest was tight throughout.
After Newcastle scored in the 18th minute, the Warriors response was simple and direct.
Just 23 minutes into his comeback from a long injury lay-off, centre Patrick Moimoi flew onto a short ball from dummy half Makaia Tafua to crash over from close range.
Match: Warriors v Knights
Round 8 -
home Team
Warriors
9th Position
away Team
Knights
14th Position
Venue: The Trusts Arena, Auckland
Jett Cleary’s conversion had the Warriors 6-4 ahead before they stretched to 10-4 from a slick scrum move in the 34th minute.
Drifting left, standoff Luke Hanson dummied to Moimoi cutting back inside and linked up with fullback Caelys Putoko who put winger Harry Tauafiafi-Iutoi over.
Cleary missed the conversion from wide out before the Knights nailed a converted try for a 10-10 scoreline at halftime.
In the opening minute of the second half the Warriors were back in front, Tafua again impressive with a dummy half raid close to the line, Cleary adding the extras for a 16-10 advantage.
Two unconverted tries wide out then came through Newcastle’s left edge for an 18-16 lead with 25 minutes to play.
A Cleary penalty 17 minutes from time had the sides level again but there would be no winning play.
With the draw the One New Zealand Warriors remain ninth on the table with six points, just one outside eighth place.
They’re in for a tough test on Saturday when they play the second-placed Storm in Melbourne.
