A slow start ultimately proved the difference as the One New Zealand Warriors fell to a 22-30 loss to Canberra in their round 17 Jersey Flegg Cup (under-21) encounter in Sydney on Saturday.
The Warriors went into the match buoyed by their resilient performance against the Bulldogs when they led just 22-20 with more than 20 minutes to play but held on bravely for a gutsy victory.
They couldn’t rediscover that resolve in the opening exchanges on Saturday as the Raiders scored three tries to lead 14-0 inside 23 minutes, conceded one then added a fourth to lead 18-4 at halftime.
As they have done a number of times before this season, the Warriors found a way back into the contest after the break manufacturing tries to winger Brandon Norris and the first of two for powerhouse front rower Tepatasi Laumalili to be just six points behind at 16-22 with 24 minutes to play.
The recovery job needed a follow-up try but it was Canberra which scored next to stretch to 28-16 with 13 minutes to go.
Match: Raiders v Warriors
Round 17 -
home Team
Raiders
9th Position
away Team
Warriors
8th Position
Venue: Kirkham Oval, Camden
Laumalili was unstoppable for his second, Harry Inch converting to have his side just six points behind at 22-28 with nine minutes to play.
There was still time but when the Warriors were reduced to 12 men for a professional foul call, Canberra slotted the resulting penalty for an eight-point lead and then closed it out.
