KEY POINTS:
The New Zealand Warriors reignited their National Rugby League playoff hopes with a convincing 44-16 victory over St George Illawarra in Auckland today.
The Dragons arrived at Mt Smart Stadium looking to maintain their own semifinal ambitions after two consecutive wins, including putting 50 points past Canberra last weekend.
But a strong first 30 minutes by the Warriors proved decisive in front of 10,000 spectators braving cold and windy conditions.
Looking to get their campaign back on track after defeat away to North Queensland, the home side ended up scoring seven tries to three, with centre Simon Mannering grabbing a brace.
Five-eighth Michael Witt's hot streak with his boots continued with eight goals, including two from the sideline, to stretch his run of consecutive successful attempts to 25, including two for Manly last season.
Three tries in 10min early in the first half set the Warriors on the road to their first success over the Dragons in five matches.
Mannering got the first after just 4min, forcing his way over with the help of winger Manu Vatuvei despite the attention of four tacklers.
A good offload from second rower Sam Rapira created the opening for the second for hooker George Gatis, who sidestepped his way past the defence to dot down under the crossbar.
Then straight from the kickoff, centre Jerome Ropati finished off a 60m move for the Warriors' third touchdown.
With Witt landing every goal attempt, including a penalty, the Warriors opened a 26-0 lead after 29min thanks to Mannering's second try.
Fullback Wade McKinnon gathered a last-tackle kick by the Dragons on his own 20m line before his cutout pass set Mannering away, and not even the loss of a boot slowed the centre on his 80m run to the line.
The only blip for the Warriors, who had dominated possession in the first half, was the two soft tries they conceded before halftime.
The first went to centre Matt Cooper, who scored after Warriors five-eighth Grant Rovelli lost the ball deep in his own territory.
Another runaway effort, this time from 85m out by McKinnon, restored the Warriors' cushion.
Right on halftime, McKinnon was guilty of failing to tidy up a kick ahead by opposition halfback Jamie Soward, who toed on to score and close the gap at the interval to 32-12.
The visitors edged nearer shortly after the restart when a fine crosskick by five-eighth Rangi Chase was finished off by winger Josh Morris.
But the Warriors then scored a easy try of their own, with a Witt offload allowing interchange forward Evarn Tuimavave to barge his way over.
Mistakes began to creep in from both sides, before winger Michael Crockett touched down with 11min remaining to help close out the victory for the Warriors.
New Zealand Warriors 44 (Simon Mannering 2, George Gatis, Jerome Ropati, Wade McKinnon, Evarn Tuimavave, Michael Crockett tries; Michael Witt 8 goals) St George-Illawarra 16 (Matt Cooper, Jamie Soward, Josh Morris tries; Soward 2 goals). Halftime: 32-12.
- NZPA
