Round 18
New Zealand Warriors 44 d. St.George-Illawarra Dragons 16

2007 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: Aus_NZ > National > First Grade Competition: NRL Telstra Premiership

Warriors blast Dragons off paddock
Sun July 15, 2007
The New Zealand Warriors have marched back into premiership contention with a 44-16 victory over the Dragons at a windy and cold Mt Smart Stadium.

The Warriors were unstoppable in the opening minutes of play running in three tries in the opening 14 minutes of the match to lead 18-0.

Simon Mannering opened the scoring in the 4th minute before a two try blitz in the 11th and 13th minutes through George Gatis and Jerome Ropati. Sam Rapira set up Gatis' try before the Warriors combined in a 60m movement to send Ropati over in his comeback game.

Mannering scored a double with a 28th minute try to send the Warriors 26-0 ahead, before the Dragons responded with a reasonably soft try to Matt Cooper.

A poor attacking kick by the Dragons allowed the Warriors to send Wade McKinnon 90m to score four minutes out from halftime.

Jamie Soward responded with a brilliant solo chip and chase try, finding Wade McKinnon searching for the ball on the ground at the back before Soward kicked the ball through for himself a second time to regather and score.

But down 32-12 at halftime the Dragons were all but out of the match - but had a glimmer of hope when they opened the scoring in the second half with a try to Josh Morris from a Rangi Chase cross kick.

But any hopes of a comeback were dashed minutes later when Evarn Tuimavave posted a try - the big forward unstoppable barging over off a Michael Witt pass.

Ahead 38-16 the Warriors pushed further ahead in the 67th minute when Michael Crockett scored.

Stand in goalkicker Michael Witt has now kicked 25 consecutive goals with an 8 from 8 tally today.


Dragons unchanged for Warriors clash
Tue July 10, 2007
Source: www.dragons.com.au

Dragons Coach Nathan Brown has named the same successful team from last weekend for the Dragons clash with the Warriors at Mr Smart Stadium this Sunday.

The Dragons will be looking to extend their season winning streak to three matches and join the Warriors on 16 competition points.

"Consistency in playing personnel is a key for any team and this is about the first time all year that we will have the same team on the field two weeks in a row," said Brown. "We have showed some good signs in the past two weeks but will need to improve again this week because the Warriors are always a tough opposition, especially at home."

Unavailable Dragons are: Mark Gasnier (Pectoral), Wes Naiqama (Knee), Dean Young (Knee), Brett Morris (Shoulder), Ashton Sims (Knee) and Jason Ryles (Knee).

DRAGONS: Ben Hornby (c), Jason Nightingale, Chase Stanley, Matt Cooper, Josh Morris, Rangi Chase, Jamie Soward, Justin Poore, Simon Woolford, Dan Hunt, Beau Scott, Chris Houston, Ben Creagh. Subs: Adam Peek, Ben Ellis, Lagi Setu, Corey Payne.

News sent by: www.dragons.com.au

Tue July 10, 2007
• Byrne lines up for 100th, Swann and Crockett back for Warriors
  

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