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Illawarra won the battle of the unbeaten teams but One New Zealand Warriors second rower Bishop Neal produced an exceptional individual highlight in Sunday’s fourth-round Harold Matthews Cup (under-17) encounter at Navigation Homes Stadium in Pukekohe.
Going into the contest, both teams were two from two for the season and there was little between them as the Steelers prevailed 22-16 in a tough battle.
While the 2024 premiership-winning Warriors were left to rue the outcome of a match they could have won, 16-year-old St Thomas of Canterbury College student Neal scored a stunning try.
With his team down 4-10 just two minutes out from halftime, he received the ball eight metres inside his half, chipped, regathered and then exploded on a remarkable 45-metre run to the line. Angling away from the cover, he burst through or palmed off four defenders to score wide out.
Match: Warriors v Steelers
Round 4 -
home Team
Warriors
away Team
Steelers
Venue: Navigation Home Stadium, Pukekohe
That left the teams locked up 10-10 at the break after the Warriors had opened the scoring with a third-minute try to front rower Ronan Byford before Illawarra reacted with two tries.
The Warriors went 16-10 ahead in the opening minutes of the second half when Byford powered onto a flat pass from dummy half Dreytin Marriott for his second try but the Steelers muscled up to add two tries for an eight-point win.
The result leaves the Warriors lying sixth on six points with two wins and a loss.
They’re back at Navigation Homes Stadium this Sunday when they meet the Melbourne Storm who have lost all four matches so far.
