Warriors begin
the long climb

Not a flash game at Aussie Stadium, but enough for the Warriors to climb off the bottom of the NRL ladder wit their win over the Rabbitohs by 26-12.

A very small but vocal crowd were treated to some sloppy football at times, some brilliant at other times.

The Rabbitohs opened up the scoring early in the match and looked to have the Warriors on the ropes and they fumbled the ball with regularity. The inclusion of Mark Tookey into the Warriors side seemed the ignite the spark needed and soon the Warriors were on the scoreboard.

The scoreline of 12 all at the break was a good indication of how the game had gone.

In the second half the Warriors hit their straps early and never looked back keeping the Rabbitohs scoreless in the half. Henry Fa'afili returning to the side, and coming off the bench, added some much needed strength to the backline on defence. Warriors halfback, Lance Hohaia's kicking game contributed to 4 of the 5 Warriors tries. The look of grim determination seemed to be on the Warriors faces as they went about their business. The second rowers, Wairangi Koopu (playing his 80th game for the Warriors) and Awen Guttenbeil were very solid in their general play and steered the ship well.

The back three of Fletcher, Stuart and Harrison for the Rabbitohs also put a ton of work in for their side but not enough to come back at the Warriors who now have their third win of the season.

Aussie Stadium Referee: Jason Robinson Scorers: RABBITOHS 12 Tries: MacDougall, Rigon Goals: Watts 2/4 defeated by WARRIORS 26 Tries: Meli 2, Anderson 2, Jones Goals: Hohaia 3/5

0 min: Kick off!

4th min: NEWS - Luke Stuart (Rabbitohs) looks to have copped a shoulder by the defender, looking a bit groggy. Not a good start for the Warriors with 2 mistakes. No score

6th min: TRY - MacDougall for Rabbitohs. Fifth tackle option the Rabbitohs spread the ball wide. Great hands to get the ball out wide to MacDougall who backs his pace to score in the corner. Watts misses the conversion from the sideline. Rabbitohs 4-0

10th min: NEWS - The Warriors lacking a bit of confidence, the Rabbitohs looking the better side at this stage of the game

12th min: TRY - Rigon for Rabbitohs. Once again new Warriors winger, Vatuvei, caught out of position. Harrison gets the offload away to Rigon, bouncing off a defender's knee for Rigon to score. Watts with another hard kick, misses the conversion. Rabbitohs 8-0

20th min: NEWS - The Warriors starting to make yards on attack. Big Mark Tookey gets on the field for the Warriors

22th min: TRY - Meli for Warriors. A line dropout gives the Warriors a great attacking option. Hohaia puts up a kick for his winger on the 4th tackle, who jumps high and busts over for the try. Hohaia from the sideline, gets a beauty conversion. Rabbitohs 8-6

27th min: PENALTY GOAL - Watts for Rabbitohs from right out in front after the ref knocks the Warriors for being inside the 10 metres right on the goal line. Rabbitohs 10-6

32nd min: TRY - Anderson for Warriors. Good go forward by the Warriors. A chip through for the outside backs is pounced on by Anderson. Hohaia from 20 metres in, gets the conversion. Warriors 12-10

35th min: NEWS - Pressure put on the Warriors defence once more by the Rabbitohs, but unforced errors leeting them down. A very even contest

40th min: PENALTY GOAL - A tough call on Tookey (Warriors) on the fifth tackle kick, as he stood his ground with Peters running into him, and Watts kicks the goal from right out in front. 12 all

HALFTIME: The scoreline a good indication of how the first half has gone, both teams guitly of sloppy play at times

HALFTIME STATS:

Possession: Rabbitohs 48% - Warriors 52% Penalties: Rabbitohs 7 - Warriors 3 Completion rate: Rabbitohs 13/19 - Warriors 14/19 Missed tackles: Rabbitohs 8 - Warriors 8 Errors: Rabbitohs 6 - Warriors 7 Offloads: Rabbitohs 6 - Warriors 6

Second half underway..

43rd min: TRY - Meli for Warriors. A nice grubber kick through by Hohaia who regathers and passes to Webb. Held up well by Vatuvei, the offload to Meli was a pearler. Hohaia's conversion hits the crossbar and misses. Warriors 16-12

50th min: NEWS - Penalty count of 9-3 to the Rabbitohs is certainly hurting the Warriors. The game starting to open up a bit by both sides. Warriors 16-12

54th min: TRY - Jones for Warriors. The attack by the Warriors the most solid so far in the match. A great kick in goal by Hohaia is knocked out of the hands of Brad Watts by a great tackle by Villasanti. Jones is there to touch the ball down just before the line. Hohaia from out in front adds the 2 points. Warriors 22-12

57th min: TRY - Anderson for Warriors. The momentum swinging the Warriors way. Jones had all the time in the world to put up the kick which Anderson nabs for his second of the afternoon. Hohaia misses the conversion. Warriors 26-12

62nd min: NEWS - Harrison (Rabbitohs) smashed by Warriors debutant Vatuvei in a perfectly legal tackle. He stays on the field

68th min: NEWS - Meli (Warriors) lucky not to be sent off after retaliation to a Harrison tackle. Meli reacted with a slap to Harrison's head and is put on report. Score remains 26-12

73rd min: NEWS - Errors creeping into the Rabbitohs game once more as the Warriors put in some crunching tackles. The Warriors settled in their play with their handy lead

77th min: NEWS - The Rabbitohs hot on attack has the ball intercepted by Anderson who sets sail for the other end of the field. He's mowed down by MacDougall in a fine tackle. No Rabbitohs back on defence but somehow the Warriors bomb a certain try. Warriors 26-12

FULLTIME: The Warriors off the bottom of the table making way for the Rabbitohs. A fine second half display by the Warriors

----------------------------------------- Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 - W Koopu( Warriors) 2 - L Hohaia (Warriors) 1 - A Guttenbeil (Warriors) -----------------------------------------