After being just two points adrift at halftime, the One New Zealand Warriors fell away as South Sydney put on a strong second half showing to secure a 28-16 win in Sunday's round two Harold Matthews Cup (under-17) encounter at Bruce Pulman Park in Takanini.
The result leaves the home side winless after the opening two rounds following last Sunday’s 18-24 loss to Manly Warringah.
As they did last week the Warriors started well and again it was elusive hooker Kayce Perese-Sukroo with the early strike, confusing South Sydney’s markers as he went over from close range after four minutes.
The Rabbitohs responded with their first try three minutes later but the Warriors stretched to 12-4 13 minutes in when second rower Rilee McGrath Huggins cut back across the ruck shoving off and bursting through six or seven defenders to score.
Match: Warriors v Rabbitohs
Round 2 -
home Team
Warriors
away Team
Rabbitohs
Venue: Bruce Pulman Park, Takanini
Having gained an edge they lapsed conceding two tries in quick order to find themselves 12-14 behind at the break.
The Rabbitohs built on the momentum in the opening stages of the second half scoring three more tries in a run of 24 unanswered points to surge to a commanding 28-12 lead.
With six minutes to play the One New Zealand Warriors scored their only points of the half, standoff Keanu Simpson’s bomb to the left producing a try wide out for winger Blake Bruce.
The Warriors have a bye next week before returning to Bruce Pulman Park for their round four clash against the Central Coast Roosters on March 1.
