Warriors survive late scare to down Dolphins

Embed from Getty Images

Dolphins v Warriors

New Zealand Warriors won 16-12 against Dolphins in the first game of Super Saturday at Lang Park on Saturday afternoon.

The Warriors won their fifth game in a row with another fantastic defensive effort in the second half. Tries from Marata Niukore, Kurt Capewell and Jacob Laban helped them get the two points.

The game was a tight tussle but both sides went close in the opening quarter. Chanel Harris-Tavita had one chalked off for the Warriors while Kodi Nikorima was similar for the Dolphins. 

Warriors did produce first points on the half hour mark. It was a superb short ball from Wayde Egan for Marata Niukore who strolled over from close range for a 4-0 lead. 

Metcalf might have missed his first conversion but was full of confidence today. He grubbered through for himself, regathered then found a trailing Kurt Capewell who picked up the four-pointer. 

Dolphins were in the fight for the game but their discipline was cruelling them against a Warriors side that doesn't offer you many chances. 

They were given a pair of penalties early in the second half but the execution from the Dolphins wasn't up to scratch and they spilled them both. 

The hosts kept getting chances to attack the Warriors line. They had over a dozen tackles headed towards it but a knock on from Felise Kaufusi cruelled their chances in a low-scoring affair. 

Kaufusi went close again for them but when he stretched out, he lost it as the Dolphins kept monopolising possession but no points to show for it. 

The Warriors put the nail in the coffin with 10 to go. Harris-Tavita hoisted it high, got a knock on from Herbie Farnworth and Jacob Laban was on hand to get his first NRL four-pointer for 16-0.

Dolphins did get across the line and avoided being niled. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow beat his initial defender then powered to the line to claim the score. 

There was a final twist in the contest when the returning James Fisher-Harris was sin binned for a moderate high tackle on Dolphins interchange player Harrison Graham.

Dolphins made quick work of their advantage. They stripped the numbers on the left which allowed Farnworth to stroll over then Jamayne Isaako curled it over for 16-12. 

They made a fist of the final set, Nikorima kicked through for Jack Bostock who sliced the second kick off his boot and the away fans erupted in Lang Park.

Warriors won their fifth straight game and remain second on the NRL ladder. Once again, they only scored once in the second half but their defense won the day.