Tale of two halves as Warriors down Knights

v BYE

It was a tale of two halves of football this afternoon at Mt Smart Stadium, as the Warriors ran out winners 40-18 against the Newcastle Knights.

The Warriors were first to draw blood, when a lovely hit and spin from Roger Tuivasa-Sheck saw Solomone Kata cross in the 3rd minute. Johnson converted, and the Warriors took the early lead.

Some poor Warriors defence saw the Knights score in the 9th minute, when a straight run from Sam Mataora beat three would-be defenders on his way to the line. Trent Hodkinson made no mistake with the conversion from straight in front.

The Knights took the lead only four minutes later, as Dane Gagai showed his own footwork, stepping back inside to confuse the Warriors defenders. Trent Hodkinson continued his form with the boot, converting easily from just right of the posts.

The Warriors evened things up in the 36th minute, as Ben Matulino took advantage of some good set up work from his teammates, before brushing off two defenders on his way to the line. Johnson added the extras, and the two sides went to half time all locked up at 12 nil.

And that was the end of the good news for Knights' fans.

The half time speech in the Warriors' dressing sheds must have been a beauty. From the whistle their defence was bruising, forcing the Knights deep into their half, and keeping them there. They opened their account in the second half only two minutes in, with Blake Ayshford crossing in the corner on the back of his side's defence. The Warriors scored again five minutes later, as a slick backline movement saw Tuimoala Lolohea grab a four pointer.

The Knights' second half defence was simply not good enough, missing almost 40 tackles to the Warriors 12. 

In the 52nd minute the Warriors extended their lead as Manu Vatuvei powered over the top of Jake Mamo, before Shaun Johnson made the Knights' left side defence look silly on his way to the line in the 63rd.

The Warriors brought up the 40 in the 74th minute, as Isaac Luke scored under the posts, and Johnson easily added the extra two.

Nathan Ross picked up a consolation try late in the game for the Knights, with a spectactular show of pace and agility, but ultimately it was the Warriors' afternoon.

Newcastle now set sail for Melbourne (they won't be returning home during the week) with a clash against the Storm set for Saturday afternoon, while the Warriors have an away trip to Gosford where they'll be hosted by the Roosters on Sunday afternoon.