Warriors hold on to beat Manly for six-in-a-row
The Warriors have snuck past a committed Manly outfit 31-30 at Go Media Stadium and sit on top of the NRL ladder for at least 24 hours.
Andrew Webster's side now sit back and watch the Panthers tackle Wests Tigers on Sunday with a win for Penrith by three points or more ensuring they will collect the minor premiership.
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The home side had a 20-12 lead at the first time break after tries to Adam Pompey in the 12th minute followed by a couple by Taine Tuaupaiki and then one on the corner from Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.
Nicoll Klokstad crossed for a second early in the second half as the score moved to 24-12. But Manly came back strong through Josh Feledy and Reuben Garrick with his second.
The game then went into hyper drive in the final 15 minutes as Tuaupiki had a hat-trick to get the Warriors back to 30-all before Chanel Harris-Tavita iced the field goal in front to secure the win. That was only after the Bunker had ruled out two Warriors tries on their way to getting the scores equal.
It was the sixth win in a row for the Warriors and gives them a record of 18-6 for the regular season.
They'll now have two playoff games with the first likely to be against the Sydney Rooster next Saturday
Warriors 31 (Taine Tuaupiki 3 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2, Adam Pompey tries; Tuaupiki 3 con, Chanel Harris-Tavita goal) Manly Sea Eagles 30 (Reuben Garrick 2, Lehi Hopoate 2, Josh Feledy tries; Jamal Fogarty 5 con). HT: 20-12
