NZ Warriors finally put away Titans
- Dave Worsley
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
A couple of first-half tries for Roger Tuivasa-Sheck helped the NZ Warriors to a 32-18 win over the Titans in Gold Coast on Saturday night.
The victory broke a three-game losing run and six out of seven losses against the Titans who have been a thorn in the side of the Warriors.
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With two rounds remaining in the regular season, the Warriors had already secured their 10th playoff appearance.
The Warriors were off to the worst-possible start, when captain James Fisher-Harris spilt the ball from the opening kick-off and counterpart Tino Fa'asuamaleaui crashed over for the opening try.
Warriors second-rower Marata Niukore quickly responded, reaching out in a tackle to plant the ball on the tryline, and Tuivasa-Sheck struck twice in quick succession for an 18-6 half-time advantage.
Early in the second half, halfback Tanah Boyd kicked a penalty to put his team further ahead
Centre Adam Pompey put the nail in the coffin, after Tuivasa-Sheck challenged a kick, batting the bat back to Chanel Harris-Tavita, who found Pompey open out left.
The Warriors put on 32 straight points in the game, with rookie Eddie Ieremia-Toeava scoring his first NRL try, but let their foot off the throat in the closing moments, allowing a couple of consolation tries as the Titans struggled to avoid the competition wooden spoon.
Boyd converted all five tries and the penalty, while centre Rocco Berry celebrated his 50th NRL appearance, with a return from injury.
Thje Warriors face 13th-placed Parramatta Eels at Auckland's Go Media Stadium, on Friday 29 August.
Warriors 32 (Marata Niukore, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2, Adam Pompey, Eddie Ieremia-Toeava tries; Tanah Boyd 5 cons, pen)
Titans 18 (Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Beau Fermor, Brian Kelly tries; Jayden Campbell 3 cons)
HT 18-6