The Warriors were too good in the second half, downing the Sydney Rosters 40-20 in the Holden Cup at Mount Smart Stadium.
The first half was a classic arm wrestle as both sides traded points back-and-forth.
Kiah Cooper was first to strike, finding the ball off a well weighted grubber from Grant Garvey.
The young Roosters showed plenty of energy in defence, with a few solid tackles early-on forcing errors from the Warriors.
Points were left begging as the Roosters missed some early chances with unforced errors.
The Roosters goal-line defence was put to the test again and again until the Warriors crossed for their first through Eiden Ackland in the 22nd minute.
Ryan King wrestled back the lead for the Roosters as he barged his way over 2 defenders to score.
Some desperate defence again kept to Warriors at bay as Bradley Mullins made a 60 metre try-saving tackle. They were unable to maintain Ackland though, as he crossed for his second and gave the Warriors a 12-10 lead heading into half time.
The arm wrestle would not continue, as the Warriors went in for three unanswered tries in the second half.
The Roosters crossed for two late tries in the final five minutes, with Bernard Lewis diving over off a great pass from Jarred Anderson, and Mullins crossed for his second try in the very next set.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough and the Roosters went down to the Warriors 20-40.
