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The Warriors’ NSW Cup title defence concluded via a gallant elimination final loss to Newtown at Kogarah Oval on Saturday.
The fifth-placed Warriors’ second-half elimination final fightback fell just short in a 24-18 loss to fourth-placed Newtown Jets at Kogarah Oval.
The Jets scored the only try of the first half of the do-or-die showdown, with second-rower Jaxon Lavender scoring a contentious try from a kick after 20 minutes.
Centre Chris Vea’ila extended Newtown’s lead with a try three minutes after the break, but a departing duo struck for the Warriors soon afterwards — five-eighth Luke Hanson delivered a beautiful short ball to send second-rower Kayliss Fatialofa over.
Jets wingers Sam Stonestreet and Kristian Dixon crossed in the space of four minutes for a commanding 24-6 lead, however.
The Warriors dug deep to set up a grandstand finish. Halfback Jack Thompson went short to put Fatialofa through for his second, then skipped away for a superb solo try during their next possession to slash the deficit to six points with six minutes left.
Newtown was able to snuff out the Warriors’ desperate late attacking raids, ending their title defence.
It was nevertheless a valiant showing from David Tangata-Toa’s side, who lost regulars Makaia Tafua, Morgan Gannon, Jett Cleary and Jye Linnane to NRL duty, while Luke Laulilii was unavailable after being concussed in first grade last week.
Fatialofa (two tries, three line-breaks, six tackle-breaks, 17 runs for 166 metres and 24 tackles) and Hanson (one try assist, one line-break, 15 runs for 114 metres) — assuming they aren’t required during the NRL finals — signed off from the Warriors in style before heading to Manly and Gold Coast, respectively.
Captain Marata Niukore (seven runs for 63 metres, 16 tackles) played the full 80 minutes in what was also likely his last appearance for the club ahead of a move to Newcastle.
Riley Price (19 runs for 140 metres and 45 tackles) chewed through a mountain of work again, while gutsy fullback Geronimo Doyle had a team-high 20 runs for 181 metres along with a line-break and line-break assist.
The classy Thompson proved he is ready to step up and steer the NSW Cup line-up around on a weekly basis and push for an NRL debut from 2027.
WATCH FULL MATCH HIGHLIGHTS HERE
NSW CUP — FINALS WEEK 1: Newtown Jets 24 defeated Warriors 18 (Kayliss Fatialofa 2, Jack Thompson tries; Cassius Tia 2, Maui Winitana-Patelesio goals) at Kogarah Oval.
Making the finals at all was a massive effort considering the never ending upheavals to their lineup for the entire season.