Wing Selestino Ravutaumada’s four-try haul propelled the Vodafone Junior Warriors to their third straight win as they dismissed Parramatta 34-18 at North Harbour Stadium today to climb into eighth spot on the Jersey Flegg Cup’s ladder.
The result followed wins over North Sydney (26-24) and table-topping Cronulla-Sutherland (16-12) which have enabled the Vodafone Junior Warriors to move to 16 points, one ahead of St George Illawarra which plays sixth-placed South Sydney tomorrow.
Lower-ranked Parramatta shocked the home side by opening the scoring less than two minutes into the game but then the Ravutaumada show kicked into gear.
Signed after starring in rugby union with the Rotorua Boys’ High School First XV, the 19-year-old Fijian flyer had a pure hat-trick in the space of 13 minutes when he scored in the sixth, ninth and 19th minutes to put the Vodafone Junior Warriors 16-6 ahead.
Ravutaumada wasn’t finished, making it four straight when he crossed right on halftime as the lead was extended to 22-6.
The sides exchanged two tries each in the second half before the Vodafone Junior Warriors finished 16 points clear for their seventh win of the season.
They’re back at North Harbour Stadium next weekend taking on the Canberra Raiders.
MATCH DETAILS
At North Harbour Stadium, Auckland
Vodafone Junior Warriors 34 (Selestino Ravutaumada 4, Harley Maynard, Semisi Sikei tries; Casey Smith 5 conversions).
Parramatta Eels 18 (Valance Harris, Sione Fonua, Jesse Cronin tries; Joseph Taipari 3 conversions).
Halftime: 22-6 Vodafone Junior Warriors.
Vodafone Junior Warriors | Emanuel Tuimavave-Gerrard; Selestino Ravutaumada, Kayal Iro, Casey Smith, Harley Maynard; Brody Tamarua (c), Sione Moala; Junior Pua, Temple Kalepo, Wesley Veikoso; Toni Tupouniua, Tom Ale; Isaiah Vagana. Interchange: Taniela Otukolo, Semisi Sikei, Jyris Glamuzina, Eliesa Katoa.
