Parramatta broke a 20-20 deadlock with a late try to hand the One New Zealand Warriors a six-point defeat in Saturday’s 22nd-round Jersey Flegg Cup (under-21) match at North Harbour Stadium.
It was a bitter blow for the Warriors.
They’d been down 4-16 at halftime but produced a strong second half comeback to lock the game up with seven minutes to play only for the Eels to seal victory inside the last two minutes.
Earlier the two sides had made a fast start to the contest, the Eels out to a 6-0 lead after three six minutes followed by back rower Kayliss Fatialofa responding for the Warriors in the 11th minute.
They couldn’t build on it as Parramatta went 12 points ahead at the break but started the second half ideally with a try to halfback Luke Hanson to reduce the margin to 10-16.
While the Eels soon went out to a 20-10 advantage the Warriors then had their best passage of the day.
Centre Siale Faeamani scored in the 54th minute but couldn’t convert to leave the Warriors six points adrift at 14-20.
Match: Warriors v Eels
Round 22 -
home Team
Warriors
13th Position
away Team
Eels
9th Position
Venue: North Harbour Stadium, Auckland
Then nine minutes later he was in again and added the conversion to tie the game at 20-20 with all to play for.
However, it wasn’t to be for the Warriors as standoff Te Hurinui Twidle scored and converted to give Parramatta victory.
