A heart-stopping 26-24 win over the Sea Eagles ended the One New Zealand Warriors’ three-game losing streak in today’s round 24 Jersey Flegg Cup (under-21) encounter at 4 Pines Park in Sydney.
Coming off defeats by top three sides St George Illawarra, Canterbury Bankstown and Penrith, the Warriors had to rely heavily on their defensive resilience to see it through against the competition’s second to last placed side in Manly Warringah.
They made an assertive start when big man Tepatasi Laumalili rumbled over in the eighth minute, conceded a score leveller and then went for another power play through Laumalili’s front row colleague Emosi Ravosai to go 12-6 ahead after 19 minutes.
Try-scoring ace Brandon Norris produced a stunning finish in torrential rain before second rower Dezman Laban ran off a Jack Thompson ball to stretch the lead to 22-6.
The Sea Eagles pulled back to 12-22 at halftime and then 18-22 10 minutes into the second half.
Match: Sea Eagles v Warriors
Round 24 -
home Team
Sea Eagles
13th Position
away Team
Warriors
8th Position
Venue: 4 Pines Park, Sydney
The One New Zealand Warriors held their nerve, though, resisting numerous Manly assaults with some terrific defence on their line.
Indeed, just when the Sea Eagles were pressing again, explosive fullback Mark Sikuvea intercepted near his line and shot up-field finding Thompson. The halfback couldn’t kick clear but when he was tackled the Warriors quickly spread the ball left for winger Jeriah Vagana-Malaitai to go over wide out for a 26-18 lead with 16 minutes to play.
The Sea Eagles wouldn’t go away and had their fourth try to trail just 24-26 with 10 minutes to play.
The Warriors tapped into their defensive resolve to see it out for a much-needed ninth win of the season as they strive to end their campaign the same way they started it.
