NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS 8 CRONULLA SHARKS 10
CALLUM WALKER, Go Media Stadium, Saturday

WHO saw this coming?

There may have only been four points separating the sides before kick-off, but the Warriors have been touted as potential Grand Finalists, so, at home, few would back against them.

However, the Sharks, led by the imperious Cameron McInnes, chipped away at Andrew Webster’s men before Braydon Trindall landed the killer blow with a two-point field goal, one minute from time.

It was nip and tuck throughout the contest, with Trindall slotting over an 18th-minute penalty after a Warriors drop-out failed to go ten metres.

It quickly became 8-0 when Jesse Ramien dummied his way through three men after Dallin Watene-Zelezniak had lost the ball in contact and Trindall again converted.

It didn’t take the home side long to respond, though, Te Maire Martin skipping his way past a number of defenders to cross just shy of the half-hour. Adam Pompey’s conversion made it 8-6 at half-time.

There was even less between the two sides after the break, but Pompey levelled the scores on the hour after Martin was taken late by Jayden Berrell.

A fast and frenetic last quarter ensued, with Martin’s own field goal being charged down before Trindall stepped up to nail the impressive two-pointer from 40 metres.

Pompey had the chance to level at the death, but his penalty went wide.

WARRIORS: 1 Taine Tuaupiki, 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3 Ali Leiataua, 4 Adam Pompey, 5 Alofiana Khan-Pereira, 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7 Te Maire Martin, 8 Tanner Stowers-Smith, 9 Wayde Egan, 10 Jackson Ford, 11 Marata Niukore, 12 Jacob Laban, 13 Erin Clark. Subs: 14 Makaia Tafua, 15 Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, 16 Demitric Vaimauga, 17 Kayliss Fatialofa (not used), 18 Jason Salalilo (not used), 22 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad

Tries: Martin (29); Goals: Pompey 2/3

SHARKS: 1 Will Kennedy, 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo, 3 Jesse Ramien, 4 KL Iro, 20 Sione Katoa, 6 Braydon Trindall, 7 Niwhai Puru, 8 Jesse Colquhoun, 18 Hohepa Puru, 10 Toby Rudolf, 11 Billy Burns, 12 Teig Wilton, 13 Cameron McInnes. Subs: 9 Jayden Berrell, 14 Mawene Hiroti (not used), 15 Oregon Kaufusi, 16 Siosifa Talakai, 17 Tom Hazelton, 19 Tuku Hau Tapuha (not used)

Tries: Ramien (25); Goals: Trindall 2/2; Two-point field-goals: Trindall (79)

SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-2, 0-8, 6-8; 8-8, 8-10

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Warriors: Jackson Ford; Sharks: Cameron McInnes

Penalty count: 6-6; Half-time: 6-8; Referee: Gerard Sutton; Attendance: 24,938