Round 22
New Zealand Warriors 16 d. Brisbane Broncos 12

2008 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

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

McKinnon makes successful comeback as Warriors beat Broncos
Mon August 11, 2008
Source: www.warriors.co.nz

Comeback fullback Wade McKinnon scored a superb try as the Vodafone Warriors held out Brisbane for a gritty four-point home victory in their round 22 NRL match.

Playing in front of a healthy crowd of 13,007 at Mt Smart Stadium, the Vodafone Warriors rebounded from their disappointing loss to South Sydney with one of their best efforts of the season.

And it had the effect of lifting the side into the top eight, if temporarily.

In a match that was always tight, the Vodafone Warriors led 10-8 at halftime and 14-8 soon after through a Michael Witt try.

Witt then nailed a 40-metre penalty in the 67th minute to extend the margin to eight points. It proved to be a telling advantage in the tightest of contests but it was still under threat as the Broncos scored through winger Denan Kemp ? signed by the Vodafone Warriors for next season ? to bring the scoreline back to 12-16 with 11 minutes to go.

Over the frantic final stanza, he Vodafone Warriors' defence was exceptional in securing a result that keeps them right in the mix for the top eight.

Earlier in the match the Vodafone Warriors had responded to an early Brisbane penalty with some smart football giving 19-year-old Ben Matulino his first NRL try.

While the Broncos reclaimed the lead through a brilliantly worked try for prop Ben Hannant, the moment of the whole night came right on halftime.

From a scrum inside Brisbane's half, halfback Nathan Fien skirted wide and kicked on the first tackle, McKinnon racing through expertly to collect the ball near the line to claim a try in his first game of the season ? and the 100th appearance of his NRL career. It couldn't have been scripted any better on a night when McKinnon was brilliant returning from his long lay-off after knee surgery.

While scoring three tries to two, the critical facet of the Vodafone Warriors' display was again their defence. In many respects the performance mirrored that against Melbourne two weeks ago.

On that occasion the 2007 premiers were limited to only one line break and Brisbane was kept well in check in that area, too. Stats showed the home side missing only 27 tackles to a massive 54 by the Broncos.

The Vodafone Warriors have another Saturday night home fixture next week, hosting top side Cronulla. The Sharks beat South Sydney 28-14 tonight.

Match details:

At Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland
Vodafone Warriors 16 (Ben Matulino, Wade McKinnon, Michael Witt tries; Michael Witt conversion, penalty).
Brisbane Broncos 12 (Ben Hannant, Darius Boyd tries; Corey Parker conversion, penalty).
Halftime: 10-8 Vodafone Warriors.
Referee: Matt Cecchin.
Crowd: 13,007.

Report Source: www.warriors.co.nz

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