The Warriors got back to winning ways with a 37-26 result against an inconsistent North Queensland Cowboys side tonight at Central Coast Stadium.
Gosford is starting to look like home for the Warriors. They have won both clashes at their temporary home and piled on 37 points which included a hat-trick from Peta Hiku and a strong running game from Kodi Nikorima. Cowboys showed promise but couldn't find a consistent effort to get the points.
It was the perfect response from the Warriors after being held to nil against the Panthers. They stuck to their gameplan with a simpler style of play and it saw them pile on the points once the Cowboys tired at the back end of the contest. It has given the Warriors fans back home some added delight after earlier this week, the nation had eliminated the novel Corona Virus.
Central to the result for the Warriors was the work of their halves. Kodi Nikorima lit up the contest with two try-assists and in the second half, Blake Green had the ball on a string and trapped the Cowboys behind their line for several repeat sets to break their spirit.
The first half was an exhibition of points. Both sides shared five tries between them but the Warriors took a five-point advantage into the break through Patrick Herbert, Peta Hiku and youngster Eliesa Katoa with Kodi Nikorima slotting a field goal at the hooter. For Cowboys, Valentine Holmes before he succumbed to an injury and Kyle Feldt touched down for their points.
Cowboys got the perfect start to the second half, Justin O'Neill was fed by debutant Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to claw it back to 17-16. The game see-sawed again with Adam Pompey restoring the Warriors lead before young tyro Francis Molo crept the Cowboys closer again.
From there, the Warriors stamped their authority on the contest. Hiku scored back-to-back to complete his hat-trick and stretched their advantage to nine. Karl Lawton was on the spot to put the contest to bed, a kick rebounded off the chasing pack and the interchange man was there to pick up the scraps.
For the Cowboys, they have some issues with both Holmes and Jordan Maclean limping off the field before the end. Youngster Tabuai-fidow chimed in well at fullback once Holmes went off and there is something for the side to build on for next weekend.