Another comeback effort fell short for the One New Zealand Warriors when they lost 24-30 to Parramatta in Saturday’s round nine Jersey Flegg Cup (under-21) encounter at the James Hardie Centre of Excellence in Sydney.
The two sides went try for try with two each in the opening 25 minutes, the Warriors’ efforts through a superb double to fullback Joseph Ratcliffe.
His first came in the 13th minute as they pulled the trigger inside Parramatta’s red zone, halfback Jack Thompson with a sweetly timed pass for Ratcliffe to surge through a hole on an angled run to the try-line.
In the 25th minute Ratcliffe produced a stunning solo effort.
Fielding a chip kick 10 metres out, he skipped across field burning off chasers, straightened up and blasted between two defenders to go all the way.
Match: Eels v Warriors
Round 9 -
home Team
Eels
4th Position
away Team
Warriors
7th Position
Venue: James Hardie Centre of Excellence, Kellyville
It was game on with the Eels 12-8 ahead but then the home side gained what would ultimately prove to be a telling edge as they scored twice before halftime to lead 24-8 at the break.
Back came the Warriors nine minutes into the second half, again striking from long range.
Going to a short side on the left 80 metres out, centre Sio Kali exploded down the touchline before drawing the cover to put winger Harry Tauafiafi in to add to his growing tally.
The Warriors’ third unconverted try was followed in the 61st minute by another exceptional effort from one end of the field to the other.
The impressive Ratcliffe was the creator, taking a kick under pressure 10 metres from his line, shaking off the chasing tackler, beating another in confined space and then shifting a superb pass between two defenders to right winger Brandon Norris.
From his own 20, Norris raced 45 metres, was checked by the cover but stood in the tackle before popping a lovely off- load for centre Motu Pasikala to finish off.
Now just 18-24 behind, the Warriors had every chance of running over the Eels with the momentum in their favour.
Instead they made an error on their own 20 just a few minutes later enabling Parramatta to steady with a crucial try that put them 30-18 in front with 16 minutes to play.
The Warriors stayed at, coming back in the 72nd minute with a sharp right-side play, Thompson and Ratcliffe combining to put Pasikala in for his second.
There was enough time to hit back again but the Eels held on leaving the Warriors empty-handed in a third close loss this season.
They remain seventh on the ladder with a 5-4 record.
