Warriors v Raiders: Two sent off as Warriors women beaten in Hamilton

Warriors 16

Raiders 20

Two sending-offs in the space of three minutes were always going to make things tough for the New Zealand Warriors women to continue their NRLW winning streak.

Coming into their clash against the Canberra Raiders in Hamilton on the back of two wins and looking to further establish themselves as a team with playoffs potential, the Warriors fell to a 20-16 loss, playing most of the game with 11 on the field.

Second-rower Matekino Gray was the first to go, given her marching orders for a dangerous lifting tackle against Raiders prop Chloe Saunders in the 21st minute. Centre Tysha Ikenasio followed her off in the 24th minute after a hip-drop tackle on Raiders second-rower Monalisa Soliola, who was forced off the field with an injury caused by the tackle and would not return.

The Warriors had already been forced to shuffle their squad with injuries ruling fullback Apii Nicholls, five-eighth Patricia Maliepo and halfback Emily Curtain out.

The sending-offs came with the side having already fallen 12-0 behind as the Raiders made a fast start in their bid for a first win of the season, which soon became a 16-0 lead after Ikenasio was sent off.

The Warriors were resilient, though, and cut into the deficit just before halftime through winger Payton Takimoana.

The hosts showed their intent in the second half, with winger Lavinia Tauhalaliku scoring soon after the break. The Raiders pushed their lead out again, however, through a stunning try to fullback Elise Simpson and while Takimoana added two more tries to give the Warriors hope, the Raiders hung on for their first win of the season.

Warriors 16 (Payton Takimoana 3, Lavinia Tauhalaliku tries)

Canberra Raiders 20 (Jordyn Preston, Sereana Naitokatoka, Mackenzie Wiki, Elise Simpson tries; Zahara Temara con, pen)

HT: 16-4