Canterbury Bankstown thwarted a second half revival by the One New Zealand Warriors to run out to a 42-22 win in Saturday’s third-round SG Ball Cup (under-19) contest at FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton.
The Warriors had made a hot start to their first match of the season on New Zealand soil with tries to winger Connor Bowden and second rower Hiraka Waitai-Haenga – out of Hamilton Boys’ High School – catapulting them to a 10-0 lead in as many minutes.
They couldn’t build on it, though, as the Bulldogs responded with three tries to lead 18-10 at halftime and then added a fourth in the opening minutes of the second half to hold a commanding 24-10 lead.
Then came a Warriors fightback, first through a 44th-minute try to second rower Te Paeroa Wi Neera, educated at Hamilton’s Ngā Taiātea Wharekura.
With Kahu Capper’s conversion, the Warriors had pulled back to 16-24.
Match: Warriors v Bulldogs
Round 3 -
home Team
Warriors
away Team
Bulldogs
Venue: FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
And seven minutes later there was just two points in it at 22-24 after Bowden’s second try, also converted by Capper.
The grind was on for the next few minutes but in the 58th minute the Warriors relented as the Bulldogs started a late surge which saw them add 18 points in 10 minutes to seal victory.
The Warriors are on home soil again next week when they face the Illawarra Steelers at Navigation Homes Stadium pin Pukekohe.
