Bulldogs 6
Warriors Women 34
The Warriors Women have overwhelmed the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs to win back-to-back games for the first time of the NRLW season in a complete performance.
As the heavens opened at Sydney’s Accor Stadium, so did the floodgates for the visitors – running in six-tries-to-one to win 34-6.
It was the dream start for the Warriors, who were awarded a penalty in the first set of the game after receiving the kick-off, putting them in strong field position from the outset.
A deft grubber from Warriors half Emily Curtain forced a goal-line dropout from the Bulldogs on the subsequent set.
The ball was shifted through the hands from right to left to find winger Payton Takimoana, who strode over for her seventh try of the season in six games. The sideline conversion attempt from five-eighth Patricia Maliepo struck the left upright and sailed away.
It took until the sixth minute for the Bulldogs to finally get their hands on the ball and after a mistake under a high ball from rookie Warriors winger Tyra Wetere in just her second NRLW game, and a string of penalties, the home side had multiple chances to attack the line.
Three consecutive sets within 10m of the Bulldogs line were held off by resilient Warriors defence efforts.
As they have done so well this season, the Warriors converted relentless defence to attack, storming down the field through barnstorming runs before the ball found its way into the hands of Maliepo 10m out who dummied, stepped and dove over the line in the 14th minute.
The Bulldogs would strike back in the 23rd minute through reserve prop Kalosipani Hopoate, who attacked the Warriors’ defensive line and shovelled an offload away. Hopoate was passed the ball the very next play, 5m out from the line, and took on three Warriors defenders to crash over under the posts.
The Warriors threatened the tryline in the closing minutes of the half and were awarded a penalty close to the line, which Maliepo converted to take a 12-6 lead into halftime.
The heavens opened in Sydney to start the second half, but not even torrential rain could stop the Warriors’ formidable attack.
A spectacular skip pass by Curtain in the 40th minute found the hands of right winger Wetere for what would have been her first NRLW try, but it was scrubbed out by the bunker who deemed there was a knock on in the lead-up.
Minutes later, a grubber 20m out from the line by Curtain looked to be overcooked and headed towards the dead ball line before centre Tysha Ikenasio delivered what could be a strong contender for best try of the season, sprinting and diving to force the ball in spectacular fashion. Maliepo converted from the sideline.
As rain intensified, the floodgates opened – with the Warriors running in three more unanswered tries in 12 minutes.
A major overlap after a strong run from reserve prop Matekino Gray saw Maliepo cruise over for her second try.
After her earlier try was scrubbed out, Wetere crossed over for a double on the right edge – her first after textbook passing through the line and second from a pinpoint crossfield kick from Curtain. Maliepo’s fine form off the tee continued.
It went from bad to worse for the Bulldogs, trailing 34-6 with 10 minutes on the clock before what appeared to be a serious leg injury to halfback Tayla Preston – who was taken off the field on a stretcher.
The Warriors’ defence would hold off any consolation try from Bulldogs as they cruised to their best performance of the season and an important win as they push for a spot in the playoffs.
Bulldogs 6 (Kalosipani Hopoate try; Tayla Preston con)
Warriors 34 (Patricia Maliepo 2, Tyra Wetere 2, Payton Takimoana, Tysha Ikenasio tries; Maliepo 4 cons, pen)
HT: 6-12