The Other Warriors
NSW Cup: The only win for the Warriors
After a weekend of close games for the entire Warriors club, the NSW Cup branch of the Warriors were the only ones to walk away with two competition points. The Warriors moved into sixth place on the ladder with the gutsy win over the Manly Sea Eagles.
The Warriors opened in spectacular fashion with three quick tries, boasting a lead of 16 points in as many minutes. The hard part was defending that lead for long periods throughout the game. To their credit though, the Warriors hung tough in the the last quarter of the game holding onto their 22 - 18 lead to take the win.
The Warriors side were coming off back to back losses as well as a lengthy list of injuries. Coach Rohan Smith fielded a team with five players still able to play for the Warriors Under 20s side.
Therefore it was a highlight was seeing winger Jarred Wilson return to the side after an ankle injury. He scored two of the first three tries proving he is well recovered from his injury. Tui Lolohea converted two of the first three tries with Dominique Peyroux picking up the other try.
The game changed for the Warriors after having to endure a long drought of possession and territory to the Sea Eagles. The period just before half time left the Warriors looking shaking. They conceded two tries to Todd Wilson from the Sea Eagles and the Warriors were only up by four heading into the break.
However, the Warriors returned to the field invigorated scoring early in the second half through interchange forward Agnatius Paasi. Lolohea added the extras to push the score out to 22 - 12. The Warriors would have to defend a lead not even two converted tries in front.
It wasn't until the 60th minute that the Sea Eagles managed to breach the Warriors line. Manly's Manaia Rudolph score a try that was converted to put them just four points behind the Warriors. For 20 more minutes the Warriors bravely defended their lead until the games end. There are still areas of improvement but a strong defensive effort by the Warriors was impressive.
The NSW Cup Warriors take on the North Sydney Bears at Sydney Oval this Saturday.
Junior Warriors go down at the death
A field goal late in the game was enough to see the last placed Bulldogs snatch a 31 - 30 win from the Junior Warriors on Sunday.
It was a disappointing loss after coming off a convincing 54 - 0 hiding of the Junior Raiders last weekend. Added to this fact was this was only the second win for the Bulldogs who were coming off a 50 - 10 defeat to St George the week before.
The Warriors started the game like they finished it last week with winger Paul Ulberg picked up a loose ball to put the Warriors on the board minutes into the game. Loose Forward James Bell scored again this week after a strong drive from close range.
Fullback Brad Abbey was the next to score after sparking a counter attack from a Bulldogs chip. He then backed up effort with a 40 metre dash to score at the opposite end of the field he started the movement.
To the Bulldogs credit they never gave up scoring two tries before half time to keep them in the hunt. The Warriors also added to their first half tally going into the break ahead at 22 - 12.
The Warriors should have been able to carry their first half performance on but instead let the Bulldogs back in and eventually gave them the lead. The Bulldogs scored twice within a matter of minutes stealing the lead for the time being at 24 - 22.
Some experience shone through for the Warriors with Adam Tuimavave-Gerrard scoring to put the Warriors back in front at 26 - 22 with the missed conversion ending up being crucial.
The lead last only six minutes, before the Bulldogs pushed ahead with another try to 30 - 26.
Ulberg showed some skill in managing to put the Warriors level with another try. Stand in kicker Hingano had a pressure conversion that would have put the Warriors in front with six minutes to go, unfortunately he wasn't able to put it through.
The scores stayed at 30 all with the Warriors having a field goal attempt miss, eventually losing to a Bulldogs field goal by stand off Brad Keighran.
To be honest, the Warriors should have never put themselves in that position, hopefully they can bounce back this week against the Titans in Robina.