ComfortGlaze Lower Grade Report: Mixed day for Warriors at Belmore
One from two against the Bulldogs for our lower grade teams.
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After a heavy defeat for the Warriors’ Jersey Flegg outfit, the club’s NSW Cup side produced an emphatic win over the Bulldogs with Rocco Berry among the star performers.
The Warriors’ Saturday treble of fixtures against Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs began in jarring fashion at Belmore Sports Ground, with the TJ Ashford-coached Jersey Flegg Cup outfit humbled 56-10.
The second-placed Bulldogs were on the board early through Linwood Keas winger Chelden Hayward, before another Canterbury (NZ) product, Northern Bulldogs five-eighth Bronson Reuben, scored a determined try and halfback Latrell Fing finished off a sizzling long-range team effort.
The Warriors finally gained same traction and hit back through a solo try to brilliant fullback prospect Joseph Ratcliffe.
But a Bulldogs try just before halftime was a body blow and the home side posted the first two four-pointers of the second stanza to open up a 32-4 lead.
Again it was Ratcliffe providing respite for the Warriors, making a sensational kick-return break in the 62nd minute and linking with gun winger Brandon Norris, who found halfback and captain Jack Thompson backing up on the inside to finish off an 80-metre try.
That Warriors highlight was a mere blip in the Bulldogs’ second-half assault, however, as they ran in five more tries in the last 15 minutes. Reuben grabbed another try in a 20-point haul, while hooker Kaawyn Patterson — who joined the Bulldogs last year after being named the Warriors’ Harold Matthews Cup Player of the Year in their historic 2024 title success — was also among the tryscorers.
The heavy defeat leaves the Warriors with an 8-9 record and their finals hopes on tenterhooks ahead of a bye in Round 22.
JERSEY FLEGG CUP — ROUND 21: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 56 defeated Warriors 10 (Joseph Ratcliffe, Jack Thompson tries; Harry Inch goal) at Belmore Sports Ground, Sydney.
The Warriors gave their NSW Cup chances a huge boost, leapfrogging Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs on the ladder by winning their Round 21 clash at Belmore Sports Ground 38-16.
A late spine reshuffle taking Luke Metcalf and Makaia Tafua out of the side had little effect on the Warriors’ composure as they ran in seven tries.
The Warriors carved out an 18-6 halftime lead, getting the scoring underway in the ninth minute with some nice sleight of hand from hooker Amasio Tiatia — a late inclusion for fellow Linwood Keas product Tafua — helping Morgan Gannon crash over.
Jett Cleary, returning to the halfback spot with Metcalf in the NRL squad, then combined with Geronimo Doyle to send Haizyn Mellars in acrobatically for his 13th try of the season.
Cleary was the catalyst for the Warriors’ third try, making a half-break and linking with Rocco Berry, who found Eddie Ieremia-Toeava — named on the NRL bench but starting at prop — to power away to the line.
The Bulldogs scored the first two tries of the second half to slash the deficit to just two points, but the visitors soon opened up a handy lead again.
On the back of a Jye Linnane break, the Warriors had the Bulldogs defence back-pedalling and interchange debutant Maui Winitana-Patelesio jinked through to score from a Riley Price offload.
Nice quick hands from skipper Marata Niukore and Berry stretched the Bulldogs’ left edge as Mellars flashed over for his second with 20 minutes to go.
Luke Hanson’s 70th-minute try put the result beyond doubt, a sizzling long-range effort laid on by Berry’s outstanding bust and superb flick offload as he went to ground.
Hanson crossed again after the siren — a spectacular adlib effort where the five-eighth kicked to Mellars and accepted a return pass — to complete a comprehensive win that will ensure the Warriors finish the weekend in a share of fourth spot. David Tanagata-Toa’s side have a bye in Round 22.
NSW CUP — ROUND 21: Warriors 38 (Haizyn Mellars 2, Luke Hanson 2, Morgan Gannon, Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, Maui Winitana-Patelesio tries; Jett Cleary 5 goals) defeated Canterburby-Bankstown Bulldogs 16 at Belmore Sports Ground, Sydney.