A five-tries-to-two 32-10 win over seventh-placed North Sydney has lifted the Vodafone Warriors within a point of the Canterbury Cup's top eight.
After leading just 6-4 at the break the 10th-placed Vodafone Warriors lit up in the second half scoring another four tries for convincing 22-point success.
It elevated them to 12 points, just a point behind eighth-placed Newtown.
The first try of the game came as a result of a grubber from North Sydney's Brock Lamb for second rower Thomas Freebairn to score.
The Vodafone Warriors retaliated nine minutes later, their aggressive attack gifting winger Setu Tu a try on the left edge from a pass delivered by Samoan international Chanel Harris-Tavita. Adam Keighran's conversion made it 6-4.
Experienced New Zealand hooker Issac Luke looked confident with the ball in hand setting the foundation for his team with kicks into space from dummy half.
Both teams made multiple errors but neither could capitalise from the scoring opportunities which left the Vodafone Warriors ahead at half time by two points.
They were dominant in the second half with strong runs from their forward pack through the middle of the field.
An early second half try by Luke saw the visitors up by eight points after two minutes.
The Vodafone Warriors continued to dominate the Bears' defence with fullback Adam Pompey crossing off a set play. Luke and halfback Harris-Tavita combined through the middle to put the Vodafone Warriors ahead by 14 points with 20 minutes to go.
A cut-out pass to right winger Nicholas O’Meley saw the home side cross for their second try of the day but any chance of a comeback was squashed through a line break try from dummy half by Luke.
An aggressive final 10 minutes saw tempers flare after a shoulder charge by new Vodafone Warriors signing Josh Curran - playing against his old side - which resulted in him being placed on report and sent to the sin bin.
An altercation between both teams after this incident forced the referees to separate the teams and send Bears hooker Bradley Dietz to the bin.
A penalty and the sin-binning of Bears half Brock Lamb minutes later after warnings from the officials saw the visitors add two from a penalty to complete the scoring.
MATCH DETAILS
At North Sydney, Sydney
North Sydney Bears 10 (Tom Freebairn, James Tuitahi tries; Bock Lamb conversion).
Vodafone Warriors 32 (Setu Tu 2, Issac Luke, Adam Pompey, Chanel Harris-Tavita tries; Adam Keighran 5 conversions, penalty).
Halftime: 6-4 Vodafone Warriors.
Vodafone Warriors | Adam Pompey; Lewis Soosemea, Hayze Perham, Blake Ayshford, Setu Tu; Adam Keighran, Chanel Harris-Tavita; Chris Satae, Issac Luke, Jackson Frei; Adam Tuimavave-Gerrard, Taane Milne; Phillip Makatoa. Interchange: Clayton Williams, Josh Curran, Preston Riki, Tyler Slade
