Warriors keep on winning against Wests Tigers

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Warriors v Wests Tigers

The New Zealand Warriors have bounced back into form with a 34-14 victory over the Wests Tigers to move a step closer to confirming a place in the finals.

Bouncing back from consecutive defeats with their first win in Auckland since Easter, the Warriors were well served by club debutant Tanah Boyd, stepping into the number seven role following Luke Metcalf's season-ending injury, who dictated terms with a strong kicking game to extend the side's dominance over the Tigers to nine consecutive wins.  

The Tigers got the scoring started before the Warriors even touched the ball with a penalty gifting the visitors the field position needed for Jeral Skelton (2nd minute) to score in the corner.

Responding minutes later with Rocco Berry (8th minute) exposing the Tigers' edge defence and improving his position closer to the posts, the Warriors found their attacking fluency with a superbly-placed pass from Erin Clark allowing Chanel Harris-Tavita (18th minute) to stroll through a gap for a 12-4 lead.

The Tigers were rewarded for building pressure on the Warriors' line with Adam Doueihi (27th minute) sliding over for his third try of the year.

A well-executed scrum play late in the half reaped rewards for Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (33rd minute) as the hosts took a 16-8 lead to the change of ends.

The Warriors extended their lead beyond two converted tries early in the second half with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (49th minute) touching down in the corner after multiple sets on the Tigers' line.

A successful captain's challenge was promptly converted into points as Doueihi (57th minute) incisively left the Warriors' defence grabbing at thin air to keep the Tigers in the contest.

The Tigers' hopes of mounting a comeback were cruelled by their inability to hold onto the ball; the Warriors struck the knockout blow with late tries to Harris-Tavita (73rd minute) and Leka Halasima (79th minute) reflecting the dominance of the 34-14 final margin.

The victory sees the Warriors consolidate their position in fourth place - sitting two points behind the Bulldogs and Storm - while the Tigers remain at the opposite end of the ladder with their hopes of playing finals football becoming increasingly mathematical.

Next week, the Warriors will face the Knights on Sunday afternoon in Newcastle, while the Tigers will return to Leichhardt Oval for a Sunday afternoon clash with the Titans.