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Twice they had the lead in the second half but the One New Zealand Warriors couldn’t capitalise as they fell to a 28-38 loss to Cronulla Sutherland in their round 14 Jersey Flegg Cup (under-21) match at Sharks Stadium on Saturday.
After working their way into the top eight with back-to-back wins over the Bulldogs and the Rabbitohs, the Warriors had reason for optimism against the higher-ranked Sharks.
The opening moments weren’t encouraging when they conceded a try in the opening minute and another four minutes later to be 0-12 behind but then hooker Jeriko Filipi-Talisau embarrassed Cronulla with a dummy half try in the 12th minute and the contest was alive.
A penalty edged the Sharks 14-6 ahead before the match changed complexion in the most unlikely circumstances, unfolding immediately after halfback Jett Cleary was sin binned for a professional foul in the 37th minute.
From the resulting penalty the Sharks tapped in search of another try but terrific goal-line defence from the Warriors forced an in-goal error to earn a seven-tackle set.
Match: Sharks v Warriors
Round 14 -
home Team
Sharks
4th Position
away Team
Warriors
9th Position
Venue: Sharks Stadium, Sydney
They stormed downfield superbly, standoff Jack Thompson pumped a bomb to the left and centre Brandon Norris snaffled the ball for a try right on halftime. The conversion attempt went wide but at 10-14 the Warriors were in range.
Two minutes into the second half the 12-man Warriors struck again.
Thompson dropped off to centre Caelys Putoko running hard against the grain towards the posts who slipped a brilliant off load for fullback Joseph Ratcliffe to score. With Kahu Capper’s conversion the Warriors had a 16-14 lead by the time Cleary returned.
Cronulla went back in front 20-16 with its third try but the gallant Warriors weren’t going away.
From an attacking scrum they worked play to the left, Cleary dropping off for the elusive Norris to scythe into a hole, bursting through two defenders for his second try. Cleary’s conversion had the Warriors back ahead 22-20.
A double strike by the Sharks had them opening up a 32-22 lead but the Warriors cut the lead to four points when second rower Alvin Chong Nee jolted the ball loose with a big shot, regathered the ricochet and crossed for his side’s fifth try with 10 minutes to go.
That would be it, though, with the Sharks closing it out with their sixth try to restore the 10-point margin.
The Warriors now sit ninth as they look ahead to a third trip to Sydney next week when they take on the second-placed Eels.
