NSW Cup Warriors Stun the Sharks

The NSW Cup Warriors secured their first win of the season with a punishing 44 - 6 victory over the Cronulla Sharks. There were plenty of good signs for the Warriors club as a whole as the NSW Cup team featured a handful of players eligible to play in the junior Warriors still. Although, Carlos Tuimavave and try-scoring machine Jarred Wilson had been ruled out and Sebastine Ikahihifo and Raymond Faitala-Mariner had been called into the NRL squad, the NSW Cup side put on a stellar performance. 

The Warriors opened the scoring with an unconverted try and were behind for the first and last time when the Sharks scored and converted their only try. The next 40 points went the way of the Warriors. 

Both sides of the Warriors attack were working well with Ngani Laumape picking up the first on the right wing. Next the left side dotted down with Jarrod Tua on the back of a nice Lolohea play. Then they were back on the right side with Laumape picking up his second. The Warriors entered the break with an impressive three tries to one lead over the Sharks. 

When the second half kicked off the Warriors came busting out of the blocks to pick up two tries in the first 10 minutes after halftime. David Fusitua scored a flashy winger try while Siliva Havili scored from dummy half after setting up Lolohea on a long range line break. This had brought the margin up to 26 - 6 for the Warriors.

Playing with confidence saw some more swift ball movement from the Warriors as well as some straightening runs. Easily their best performance of the year as well as the defensive effort keeping a clean sheet for the second half. 

The final quarter of the game saw the Warriors score their final three tries. One to fullback Steve Waetford from a nice set play out to the right while forwards picked up the final two tries. One to John Palavi and the other to Sam Lisone. Laumape slotted five from five conversions after taking over the kicking duties. 

Impressive was Havili from dummy half who continually questioned the Sharks line, hopefully he get to see him debut for the NRL Warriors sometime soon this season. 

The next game for the NSW Cup Warriors is against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at Eden Park. The Bulldogs are sitting 11th on the ladder while the Warriors are just inside the top 8, sitting on 7.

Too Little, Too Late for the Junior Warriors

An under-strength Junior Warriors side fell short despite an impressive comeback to lose to the Junior Sharks by 26 - 32. 

There was a lack of experience and direction in the Junior Warriors this week with a few key players unavailable because of NSW Cup commitments or injuries. The list included Sam Lisone, David Fusitua and Tui Lolohea who played for the NSW Cup Warriors last weekend while James Taylor, Lafu Feagaiga joined the injured list along with Ngataua Hukatai, Viliami Kaveinga and Solomone Kata.

It was left to captain Mason Lino who made his 46th NYC appearance to lead the young outfit against the Sharks. There was also help from other experienced campaigners Adam Tuimavave-Gerrard, Kouma Samson and Metia Lisati each with 20 or more NYC games under their belt. Besides these few players the team was made up with players who had played NYC last year and eight who are still in their first year of NYC.

Regardless of all these factors the Warriors were first on the board agains the Sharks with winger Lisati scoring out wide. However, there was a complete shift in momentum and the Sharks dropped three quick tries on the Warriors thanks to the talents of Cronulla Fullback Valentine Holmes.

In a turn of events from their previous games this year, the Warriors pre halftime slump was not present as they were able to score in the closing moments of the first half. Try scoring second rower Michael Ki received a beautiful short ball from Hingano to bring the Warriors within a converted try just before half time with Lino adding the extras to make it 16 - 10 to the Sharks.

The Warriors looked to be in control as the second half began making it down field. However, an attacking bomb soon turned sour for the Warriors as the Sharks pounced on it and raced the length of the field to convert it into points. Within a matter of minutes the score had blown out to 32 - 10 after some poor defense by the Warriors. 

The positive thing about this was there was still plenty of time to make up the difference if the Warriors defense was up to it and they were willing to chance their arm; and the chance their arm they did. A well weighted cross-field kick from Hingano and good hands from Lisati set him for his second. 

A well designed scrum play saw Lisati pop up on the opposite wingers side to set up the other winger Braxton Stanley for the next try. In the closing moments of the game Lisati managed to get his hat trick off with some nifty work in tight space.  However, it became a case of too little too late for the Junior Warriors. There were good signs tho with Maumalo leading the pack with over 200 metres gained while three others topped the 100 mark. 

The Warriors are back at Eden Park this week taking on the Bulldogs who are also coming off a loss. Kick off at 1.40pm this Sunday.