TEAMS: NSWRL U17 UNE Harold Matthews Cup - 2024 Round 8
4 mins ago | LeagueUnlimited Media
The Cowboys returned to form with a big 34-6 win over an error prone Warriors outfit in front of over 15,000 fans boosting their Top 4 hopes and putting the Warriors' Top 8 chances on life support.
Both sides opened this one in quite positive fashion with the Warriors looking particularly dangerous early on. However, a couple of untimely errors would place the away side under immediate pressure and Jason Taumalolo would almost make them pay straight away with a rampaging run only denied by a fumble right on the line.
Another error in the 9th error would see Kane Linnett sprint away and off the back of his break Michael Morgan would display Thurston-esque vision to put Kyle Feldt over early. It would prove déjà vu a couple of minutes later for the Warriors with Jacob Lilyman the next to cough it up, and the home side would get lucky with Morgan claiming his second try assist of the night setting up Feldt again with the ball ricocheting and sitting up for Feldt.
Errors would prove New Zealand's downfall in the first forty and that sentiment would continue moments later with hooker Roache (deputising for the injured winger Maumalo) dropping a spiralling Thurston bomb. The Warriors fans would find themselves screaming at the screen moments later when a forward pass from Thurston to Taumalolo was seemingly ignored in a worrying trend for the NRL.
A subsequent drop out would place further stress on the Warriors and they would be unable to hold on with Thurston the maestro, putting Taumalolo through off a perfectly executed short ball in the 23rd minute. The Warriors, however, would finally be given a chance via a Cowboys error in the 30th minute and Ryan Hoffman took advantage strolling over off the scrum for a far too easy try to put his side back in the contest. Johnson denied his side a chance to build further pressure with his clearing kick landing out on the full. The Cowboys received subsequent penalties and drop outs and they would land a killer blow just before the break with Justin O'Neill crossing over out wide in the 39th minute. Despite their efforts the Warriors only had themselves to blame trailing 22-6 at the break.
The 2nd half opened much the like the first with the Warriors producing yet another error to kick off proceedings. The Warriors showed a bit more desperation in defence to deny the Cowboys early but mistakes from Ayshford and Allwood would ensure the Warriors would be unable to hold on with Ray Thompson walking over with ease out of dummy half in the 52nd minute. The Warriors would be gifted with a couple of timely opportunities off a short kick off and Winterstein error, yet on both occasions they were unable to capitalise. The Cowboys continued to strangle the life out of the Warriors forcing their 6th drop out by the 66th minute with the Warriors showing great bravery to hold on. Morgan danced over in the 69th minute to place a further dent in the Warriors' finals hopes.
Next week it's a big clash for a Top 4 spot when the Bulldogs host the Cowboys at Belmore on Thursday night. Meanwhile, the Warriors season goes on the line against the Tigers on Sunday afternoon at Mt Smart. With a clash against the Eels to follow, and the Titans to face the Panthers and Cowboys a finals spot isn't beyond them - but will be if they fall next week.
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