Warriors dismal season continues

6.00pm

The New Zealand Warriors' dismal season got worse today when they were beaten 42-20 by Manly in the battle of two National Rugby League (NRL) strugglers.

The defeat was the Warriors' fourth from five matches at home and left them bottom of the competition.

Their disjointed attack and defensive lapses on a warm and sunny autumn afternoon was greeted by many in the 10,929 crowd starting to leave Ericsson Stadium with 15 minutes to go.

Manly went into halftime 14-12 down, but dominated the second half, when they scored five of their seven tries.

The Warriors had begun with three changes to the published line-up, with coach Daniel Anderson opting to move regular starters Clinton Toopi, Jerry SeuSeu and Epalahame Lauaki on to the bench.

It was Manly who scored first after just four minutes when a dart by halfback Michael Monaghan across field opened up the defence for centre Albert Torrens go over.

The Warriors hit back with two tries, both set up by fullback Brent Webb and finished by five-eighth Stacey Jones, who was earlier given a standing ovation by the crowd for his feat of racking up 200 NRL appearances last week.

For the first, Webb made a big midfield break and found Jones in support inside him.

For the second, Webb and winger Francis Meli sparked an attack from inside Warrior territory, before a mistake by Manly fullback Brett Stewart gave Jones the simple task of dotting down.

Behind 12-4, Manly started to dominate possession, helped by a run of penalties from referee Shane Hayne.

A smart crossfield kick from Monaghan brought a try to winger Scott Donald, and five-eighth Andrew Walker's conversion and subsequent penalty tied the scores.

A Sione Faumuina penalty on the hooter gave the Warriors a two-point lead at the interval, but the Sea Eagles hit back early in the second half. A routine blindside move caught out the Warrior defence, allowing centre Chris Hicks to score.

Manly went further ahead when a flat ball from Walker found Daniel Heckenberg in a big hole in the defensive line and the prop had a straight run to the line.

With the Sea Eagles running riot, Torrens and Donald each grabbed their second try, and they were followed on to the scoresheet by Stewart, before Meli scored a late consolation for the Warriors.

- NZPA

Warriors draw and results - 2004 NRL

Other NRL fixtures and points table