Vodafone Junior Warriors finish level at top
Sunday 2 September 2012 3:39 PM
Only points for and against separated the Vodafone Junior Warriors and Canterbury-Bankstown after they ended the NYC regular season level at the top of the table.
Following a 26-12 win against Canberra in today’s 26th-round match at Mount Smart Stadium today, the Vodafone Junior Warriors drew level with the Bulldogs on 39 points, the two teams with identical records of 17 wins, a draw and six losses.
However, the Bulldogs snared the minor premiership with a superior points for and against differential, giving the club success in all three grades after the Bulldogs also finished top in the NRL and New South Wales Cup.
The Vodafone Junior Warriors, the only team to make the NYC finals in all five seasons so far, warmed up for their tilt for a third straight premiership with a solid performance against the third-placed Raiders today. The two teams will meet again in the first week of the finals next weekend.
The 2010-2011 premiers went to a 16-0 halftime lead, fullback Omar Slaimankhel the first to score with his 47th try in his 50th NYC appearance. That was followed in the 25th minute by some classy football and a quality finish as left winger David Fusitua scored the first of his two tries.
After loose forward David Bhana had crossed just before halftime, Fusitua had his second soon after the break to take the Vodafone Junior Warriors out to a 20-0 advantage.
The Raiders drew back to 8-20 with two unconverted tries but the home side went out to a 26-8 lead in the 65th minute through a strong finish from close range by prop Siulongoua Fotofili for his fourth try of the season.
While the Vodafone Junior Warriors conceded a try just three minutes later – again unconverted – they held firm over the final 12 minutes to avenge their 28-32 loss to the Raiders in Canberra in April.
A telling difference between the two sides today was the goal kicking with Mason Lino converting three of the Vodafone Junior Warriors’ five tries while Canberra tried three kickers unsuccessfully.
Match details:
At Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland
Vodafone Junior Warriors 26 (David Fusitua 2, Omar Slaimankhel, David Bhana, Siulongoua Fotofili tries; Mason Lino 3 conversions).
Canberra Raiders 12 (Jake Ahearn, Matthew Allwood, Ben Picker tries).
Halftime: 16-0 Vodafone Junior Warriors.
Referee: Shane Rehm.
Vodafone Junior Warriors: Omar Slaimankhel; Viliami Lolohea, Ngataua Hukatai, Ngani Laumape, David Fusitua; Peta Hiku, Mason Lino; Ligi Sao, Siliva Havili, Siulongoua Fotofili; Sio Siua Taukeiaho, John Palavi (c); David Bhana: Interchange: Trent Bishop, Albert Vete, Atu Tupou, Toka Likiliki.
Vodafone Junior Warriors finish level at top
Sunday 2 September 2012 3:39 PM
Only points for and against separated the Vodafone Junior Warriors and Canterbury-Bankstown after they ended the NYC regular season level at the top of the table.
Following a 26-12 win against Canberra in today’s 26th-round match at Mount Smart Stadium today, the Vodafone Junior Warriors drew level with the Bulldogs on 39 points, the two teams with identical records of 17 wins, a draw and six losses.
However, the Bulldogs snared the minor premiership with a superior points for and against differential, giving the club success in all three grades after the Bulldogs also finished top in the NRL and New South Wales Cup.
The Vodafone Junior Warriors, the only team to make the NYC finals in all five seasons so far, warmed up for their tilt for a third straight premiership with a solid performance against the third-placed Raiders today. The two teams will meet again in the first week of the finals next weekend.
The 2010-2011 premiers went to a 16-0 halftime lead, fullback Omar Slaimankhel the first to score with his 47th try in his 50th NYC appearance. That was followed in the 25th minute by some classy football and a quality finish as left winger David Fusitua scored the first of his two tries.
After loose forward David Bhana had crossed just before halftime, Fusitua had his second soon after the break to take the Vodafone Junior Warriors out to a 20-0 advantage.
The Raiders drew back to 8-20 with two unconverted tries but the home side went out to a 26-8 lead in the 65th minute through a strong finish from close range by prop Siulongoua Fotofili for his fourth try of the season.
While the Vodafone Junior Warriors conceded a try just three minutes later – again unconverted – they held firm over the final 12 minutes to avenge their 28-32 loss to the Raiders in Canberra in April.
A telling difference between the two sides today was the goal kicking with Mason Lino converting three of the Vodafone Junior Warriors’ five tries while Canberra tried three kickers unsuccessfully.
Match details:
At Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland
Vodafone Junior Warriors 26 (David Fusitua 2, Omar Slaimankhel, David Bhana, Siulongoua Fotofili tries; Mason Lino 3 conversions).
Canberra Raiders 12 (Jake Ahearn, Matthew Allwood, Ben Picker tries).
Halftime: 16-0 Vodafone Junior Warriors.
Referee: Shane Rehm.
Vodafone Junior Warriors: Omar Slaimankhel; Viliami Lolohea, Ngataua Hukatai, Ngani Laumape, David Fusitua; Peta Hiku, Mason Lino; Ligi Sao, Siliva Havili, Siulongoua Fotofili; Sio Siua Taukeiaho, John Palavi (c); David Bhana: Interchange: Trent Bishop, Albert Vete, Atu Tupou, Toka Likiliki.