Warriors back in the frame

Fulltime score: Round 11 SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS 16 v NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS 34

Match summary: The Vodafone Warriors have travelled over to North Sydney over and put the demons to rest by defeating South Sydney Rabbitohs by 34-16.

A small but vocal crowd were treated to some entertaining football by both the sides. The Rabbitohs although allowing two early tries in, stuck to their guns and hit back almost straight away with a try of their own. The Warriors targeted the defence on the right hand side of the field and it paid off for them with their two early tries.

Tit for tat plays right throughout the first half culminated with a 24-10 scoreline at the break, the Rabbitohs scoring their 2nd try right on the halftime hooter.

The second looked as though it would turn into a blowout scoreline for the Warriors when midway through the half, after some excellent scoring opportunities the Warriors were well in control by 34-10.

Some desperate defence by the Rabbitohs held the Warriors at bay and a late consolation try to the home side gave them some well deserved points on the board.

Stand out performances for the Warriors included Wiki, Fein and both wingers Meli and Vatuvei. With the loss of Steve Price to Origin duty, all the forwards stepped up when needed in a very determined effort. The Warriors now head home to take on Wests Tigers in Auckland.

For the Rabbitohs, Sutton and Walker in the halves worked well together with Cusack, Faalogo, Logan and Stuart all laying the foundation for their team mates.

Scorers: SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS 16 Tries: Polglase, Hegarty, Hookey Goals: B Walker 2/2, Sutton 1/1 NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS 34 Tries: Faumuina, Webb, Hohaia, Villasanti, Meli, Vatuvei Goals: Hohaia 3/3, Jones 2/3

North Sydney Oval Referee: Gavin Badger Half time: Warriors 24-10

Live commentary: Change in the Warriors line-up has Fien in at stand off and Tuimavave onto the bench. Small crowd in at North Sydney Oval but they're sure to make some noise

0 min: The game is underway, the 250th game for the Warriors since they first entered the competition back in 1995.

5th min: NEWS - Solid start by both sides. Short in goals at the Oval should make life interesting for both teams

8th min: TRY - WARRIORS Great work through the hands of the Warriors players. Clever work to get Faumuina into the hole and he runs a good 30 metres to score under the posts. Hohaia from out in front, converts. Warriors 6-0

10th min: TRY - WARRIORS Quick passing by the visitors coming once again to the right hand side. Vatuvei makes the break and offloads to Webb who sets sail for the tryline. Hohaia converts. Warriors 12-0

14th min: TRY - SOUTHS Video ref is used to determine a double movement by Polglase. Controversial decision to some but the points are on the board. The try is converted by Walker. Warriors 12-6

23rd min: TRY - WARRIORS A line dropout to the Warriors is well played. Jones involved in two plays in the set, puts through a little grubber pounced on by Ropati who scores. Hohaia with his most difficult kick so far, adds the 2 points. Warriors 18-6

30th min: NEWS - Souths defenders at times are guilty of falling off tackles, but are holding together when needed. The Warriors attack looking good

36th min: TRY - WARRIORS Great attack by the visitors once again with Jones putting up a high kick once more to his right hand side men. Vatuvei leaps high, bats the ball back to Villasanti who scores. Jones converts his first of the night. Warriors 24-6

40th min: TRY - SOUTHS The Warriors defence caught napping. A switch of play by Walker sets up a great try to Hegarty. Walker fails to convert. Warriors 24-10

HALFTIME: Thanks to the try in the final minute of the half, the game is now a lot closer. Warriors lead at the break, 24-10

Second half underway..

44th min: NO TRY - WARRIORS Great build up by the Warriors with Meli making a good break. Fein close to the line is deemed by the video ref to have made a double movement to get over the line

49th min: TRY - WARRIORS From normal play with nothing much happening, Te Mata makes a 20 metre break, with Meli in support who runs the extra 30 metres to score. Jones from out in front, converts. Warriors 30-10

56th min: NEWS - Walker (Souths) on report for a high tackle on Anderson, who leaves the field. Penalty to the Warriors

57th min: TRY - WARRIORS The resulting kick from the penalty has the Warriors attack 10 metres from their line. Quick hands and Vatuvei is over in the corner. Jones from wide out, misses the conversion. Warriors 34-10

64th min: NEWS - Souths hot on attack with back to back line dropouts

65th min: NO TRY - SOUTHS Sutton close to scoring but loses control of the ball on the grounding. Warriors lead 34-10

69th min: NEWS - Meli (Warriors) on report for the tackle he made, deemed to be around the neck region

72nd min: NO TRY - WARRIORS Impressive play by the Warriors with Toopi over the line. The ball had been propelled forward in the air by Fein so no points. Warriors hold the lead, 34-10

77th min: TRY - SOUTHS Hookey gets across the line in the dying minutes for the home side. Small consolation for the Rabbitohs. Sutton adds the 2 points. Warriors 34-16

FULL TIME: Solid performance by the Warriors to defeat the Rabbitohs by 34-16

----------------------------------------- Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 - M Vatuvei(Warriors) 2 - R Wiki(Warriors) 1 - F Meli(Warriors) -----------------------------------------