Despite a brave performance against the undefeated Intrust Super Premiership competition leaders the Newtown Jets have gone down by 24-20 to the New Zealand Warriors.
The Jets battled hard throughout, with a Sam Tagataese try in the 78th minute giving them hope, however time ran out on the Newtown challenge and the Warriors would hold on for the win.
The loss left the Jets with just two victories from the opening six rounds and now needing to string some wins together to climb back into the race for a finals berth.
After a willing effort at Mount Smart this morning however the Jets will head into the next few weeks with some level of confidence after enjoying plenty of good moments against the Warriors.
The Jets scored first, Jordan Drew accepting a clever Tony Williams tip on to cross wide out, before the Warriors would even up the ledger with a score of their own shortly after.
Drew crossed for a second, this time carrying a couple of would-be defenders over the line with him, then a second four-pointer by Warriors fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad sent the home team to the half time break up by 10-8.
The big Warriors forwards would then assert some authority, a couple more tries pushing the lead out to 20-8, until young Sharks backrower Jayden Walker crashed over, his try converted by Fa'amanu Brown.
The Warriors appeared to put the result beyond doubt in taking the score out to 24-14, until the Tagataese try, coming from a Brown line break, made for an interesting final few minutes.
The Warriors moved to a perfect 12 points after their sixth win, while the Jets remain anchored on four and are likely to slip outside the top eight once all results come in this weekend.
JETS 20
Jordan Drew 2, Jayden Walker, Sam Tagataese tries, Fa'amanu Brown 2 goals
Lost to
NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS 24
