Add this to the list of tight games the One New Zealand Warriors have been unable to convert into wins as they went down 16-26 to Western Suburbs in their round eight Harold Matthews Cup (under-17) encounter at Bruce Pulman Park in Takanini on Sunday.
While the defending premiers have won only one of their seven matches so far, they’ve been in contention in each of their six defeats.
So it was again in this contest.
They opened up brilliantly, yet again livewire hooker Kayce Perese-Sukroo sparking the scoring from dummy half in the sixth minute but in a blink they’d allowed the Magpies to score twice for an 8-6 lead.
From there the Warriors settled into their work, going left with fullback Kaian Olsen slicing through wide out in the 17th minute.
Match: Warriors v Magpies
Round 8 -
home Team
Warriors
away Team
Magpies
Venue: Bruce Pulman Park, Takanini
Right on halftime, the Magpies gambled with a chip kick play from a penalty – but it went horribly wrong, deflected into standoff Shaye McEwan’s hands with no defence in front of him for 30-metre sprint to the line.
At 16-8 the Warriors were in a good place but it would be the end of the scoring for them as the Magpies got in the grind to fashion three tries for a 10-point win.
The Warriors lie 15th on four points with their season ending against the Illawarra Steelers in Wollongong next Saturday.
