ID :
16125
Sat, 08/16/2008 - 19:28
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/16125
The shortlink copeid
Warriors too strong for Sharks
In a contest dominated by mistakes, the New Zealand Warriors have run out 18-4 winners over the Cronulla Sharks to add weight to their NRL finals aspirations.
The match was expected to be a low-scoring arm-wrestle and it turned out to beexactly that due to an incredible amount of incomplete sets and dropped possession.
Although a heavy Auckland downpour before kick-off could partly be blamed, the poor lack of control from both sides would've had their respective coaches tearing theirhair out.
Sensing it would be tight, the Warriors opted for a third minute penalty goalthrough Michael Witt.
They extended the lead to 8-0 six minutes later when Nathan Fien made a 40m break, was chopped down before the ball was spun wide to Jerome Ropati who palmed off adefender to score the opening try.
It became 8-4 soon after as a wrap-around play put Sharks winger Luke Covell in near the touchline, followed by the popular left-hand corner's third try as Warriorsgiant Manu Vatuvei muscled over from close range.
Local hearts were aflutter just before the half when Adam Peek appeared to break through and score, but he placed the ball on Wade McKinnon's leg and the chance wasmissed.
The first 30 minutes of the second half will want to be forgotten by both sides, with seemingly every other set of six finishing incomplete due to possession beingcoughed up.
Finally the drought was broken and the match was sealed for the Warriors when Ian Henderson darted from dummy half and fed replacement Lance Hohaia to seal theSharks' fate in falling out of a tie for the competition lead.
A possible dampener on the Warriors' mood after jumping back into the top eight will be McKinnon's placing on report for a heavy shoulder to the head of Sharks hookerIsaac de Gois early in the match.
The match was expected to be a low-scoring arm-wrestle and it turned out to beexactly that due to an incredible amount of incomplete sets and dropped possession.
Although a heavy Auckland downpour before kick-off could partly be blamed, the poor lack of control from both sides would've had their respective coaches tearing theirhair out.
Sensing it would be tight, the Warriors opted for a third minute penalty goalthrough Michael Witt.
They extended the lead to 8-0 six minutes later when Nathan Fien made a 40m break, was chopped down before the ball was spun wide to Jerome Ropati who palmed off adefender to score the opening try.
It became 8-4 soon after as a wrap-around play put Sharks winger Luke Covell in near the touchline, followed by the popular left-hand corner's third try as Warriorsgiant Manu Vatuvei muscled over from close range.
Local hearts were aflutter just before the half when Adam Peek appeared to break through and score, but he placed the ball on Wade McKinnon's leg and the chance wasmissed.
The first 30 minutes of the second half will want to be forgotten by both sides, with seemingly every other set of six finishing incomplete due to possession beingcoughed up.
Finally the drought was broken and the match was sealed for the Warriors when Ian Henderson darted from dummy half and fed replacement Lance Hohaia to seal theSharks' fate in falling out of a tie for the competition lead.
A possible dampener on the Warriors' mood after jumping back into the top eight will be McKinnon's placing on report for a heavy shoulder to the head of Sharks hookerIsaac de Gois early in the match.
