A defensive clinic by the Western Suburbs Magpies has seen them defeat the Warriors 11-0 in their own backyard. The home side crossed five times, but were denied four points on all five occasions, showing the attitude that the Magpies turned up with was nothing but positive.
Match: Warriors v Magpies
Round 10 -
home Team
Warriors
7th Position
away Team
Magpies
1st Position
Venue: Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland
It was a tough game in tougher conditions, with only one try coming from the in each half. Tui Lolohea is known for his attack, but it would be his scramble defence that shone in his home away from home.
The Warriors went almighty close on two occasions, with the first coming early in the game as Manaia Cherrington did his best to burrow over from dummy half, but the ball was dislodged in the act of storing. The second game just before the break, with a sharp right-to-left shift was almost finished by Lewis Soosemea, but there was a slight bobble whilst attempting to ground the ball.
Josh Aloiai was the only try-scorer for the half, getting the Magpies off to a great start with brute strength and will. He charged at the Warriors defence at full pelt, before driving his way towards the line post-contact and planting the ball down adjacent to the posts.
A Tyson Gamble field goal on the stroke of half-time nudged the Magpies out to a 7-0 lead, which was smart given the conditions.
The Warriors went ridiculously close to opening the second half scoring, but were denied by some outstanding scramble defence. James Bell was centimetres from planting the ball down under the posts, but Tui Lolohea and Joseph Ratuvakacereivalu managed to stop the ball from touching the chalk.
Lolohea then saved another try when some class from Beale put Soosemea into space, and he looked destined to score as he raced towards the corner, but the Magpies’ fullback had his target in his sights, and took him into touch. The Magpies defence saved yet another try shortly after, holding up Blake Ayshford as he crossed.
Braden Robson showed his brilliance to extend the Magpies’ lead to 11, breaking through a tackle and attracting the opposition winger before spinning and offloading to Watson Heleta, who strolled over in the corner.
Lolohea was denied a try on the stroke of full-time, and there would be no further points as the Magpies ran out 11-0 winners.
Western Suburbs Magpies 11 (J Aloiai, W Heleta tries; T Lolohea goal; T Gamble field goal) def Warriors 0
