JFC Match Report: Tough start to campaign

The One New Zealand Warriors’ return to the Jersey Flegg Cup competition had a tough beginning with a 10-38 loss to Cronulla Sutherland in today’s round one clash at Navigation Homes Stadium in Pukekohe today.

The club last competed in the grade in 2019 when it was run as an under-20 competition.

The Warriors just missed out on the finals before the direction switched to the SG Ball Cup – then under-18 – in 2020 only to be interrupted by the Covid pandemic.

Now with a stable of five teams across all competitions the Warriors are catering for under-17, under-19 and under-21 players in an unprecedented commitment to a full-scale pathways programme.

All three teams were on show in Pukekohe today, the Harold Matthews side beating Illawarra 26-16 and the SG Ball team falling 24-32 to the Steelers.

The Jersey Flegg side faced a 2023 finals team in the Sharks.

They stayed with Sharks in the first half – down 6-14 – but eventually lost contact as the visitors scored four second half tries for a convincing victory.

The Warriors face the Storm in the curtain raiser to the NRL clash between the two clubs at AAMI Park on Saturday. Melbourne's Jersey Flegg side lost 14-36 to St George Illawarra today.