A two-try blitz to Patrick Herbert in the final 10 minutes has given the Vodafone Warriors their first Canterbury Cup NSW victory of the season.
Squaring off against the table-topping Penrith Panthers on a wet Saturday at Mt Smart Stadium, Nathan Cayless’ troops put in their strongest showing to date.
Tries to Sam Cook and Adam Pompey secured the hosts a 10-6 lead at the break.
Following the restart, the Panthers struck first to level the scores before the Vodafone Warriors ran away with it in the final stages.
Next up for the Vodafone Warriors is the South Sydney Rabbitohs, who they meet at North Harbour Stadium this Saturday. Kick-off is at 1pm, with the match also set to be televised on SKY TV.
Meanwhile, the Junior Vodafone Warriors were unable to make it back-to-back wins in the Jersey Flegg competition after succumbing 20-14 against the Panthers.
Playing before their Canterbury Cup NSW counterparts at Mt Smart Stadium, the Vodafone Junior Warriors matched it with the visitors for most of the game, including a particularly strong finish to the first half.
But in a topsy turvy second half, it was the Panthers who emerged victorious, Stephen Crichton’s try in the 67th minute proving the ultimate difference.
The seventh-placed Junior Vodafone Warriors now take on the fourth-placed Rabbitohs this Saturday at North Harbour Stadium. Kick-off is at 11am.
Canterbury Cup
Vodafone Warriors 22 (Tries S Cook, Pompey, P Herbert 2; Conversions A Keighran 3/4)
Panthers 12 (Tries J Hetherington, V Tsikrikas; Conversion J Cartwright 1/2; Penalty goals J Luai)
Jersey Flegg
Vodafone Warriors 14 (Tries Tuimavave-Gerrard, Turner, Kosi; Conversions Tamarua 1/3)
Panthers 20 (Tries Laurie, Crichton 2, Myles; Conversion Crichton 2/4)
