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The Warriors have put themselves in the thick of the final race after producing their best performance of the season against Newcastle at Tamworth.
The Warriors led 8-6 at halftime, but there was only one team in the competition in the second half, as the Kiwi team scored five unanswered attempts for a 36-6 victory on Saturday.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck appears to be peaking at just the right time when the skipper backed up last week’s dynamic display against the Bulldogs with two attempts, two line jumps and a run of over 260 meters.
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Roger Tuivasa-Sheck scored two attempts in another impressive display for the Warriors.
Winger Adam Pompey also received a double courtesy from two superb passes from center Peta Hiku, while the Warriors’ playoff play had the Knights in the rear for much of the day.
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Just as impressive as their attack was the desperation displayed on defense, with Tuivasa-Sheck, hooker Karl Lawton and running back Chanel Harris-Tavita all landing tackles to save attempts while the game was still on.
The Knights, who beat the Warriors 20-0 in the first round of the season, entered the game on a three-game winning streak to move to the edge of the top four. They were guilty of several unusual mistakes, but much of that could be attributed to the defensive work of the Warriors, who have now won four of their last five games.
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Tamworth locals show their support for the Warriors at Scully Park.
The latest win has put them two points behind the eighth-place Sharks, who faced North Queensland immediately after Saturday night’s game.
Given their poor point differential and brutal draw in the last four games, the Warriors still have to be near perfect to finish in the top eight.
But a loss to Cronulla, and the losses of final contenders Wests Tigers (against Penrith) and Manly (Melbourne) this weekend, would significantly increase their chances. And the Warriors have a chance to advance the Sharks leadership when they meet in two weeks.
However, before they can think about it, they have to get past third-placed Eels next Sunday, who will be desperate to prove that Thursday’s hammering by the Rabbitohs was a simple mistake.
However, there will be few experts willing to dismiss them now after delivering such a commanding performance.
Back at Tamworth on Saturday, where they spent more than two weeks in quarantine before the season resumed, the Warriors looked right at home from the start.
Hiku continued his impressive form, stepping outside of his defender before launching the ball for Pompey to launch into the corner.
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Chanel Harris-Tavita appears to pass during the Warriors vs. Knights clash at Tamworth.
The Warriors enjoyed nearly 70 percent of possession in the first 15 minutes, but after a penalty goal made it 8-0, Newcastle finally woke up.
Center Gehamat Shibasaki beat George Jennings with a Mitchell Pearce bomb on the Knights’ only attempt, while a Tuivasa-Sheck try-saver prevented Pearce from scoring minutes later.
After making seven mistakes in a spotty first-half display, including one that cost Shibasaki his second, Newcastle manager Adam O’Brien would have been relatively happy to be just two at halftime.
However, O’Brien had nothing to smile about after the break.
Warriors trade forward Daniel Alvaro nearly embarrassed the Knights defense from half dead before the bunker came to the rescue with a late call.
But Tuivasa-Sheck took the video officer out of the equation when he fooled Pearce with a massive left foot strike to restore the Warriors’ eight-point margin.
The Warriors have been guilty at times this season of failing to build pressure in the opposition’s 20-meter zone.
However, when the game entered the fourth quarter, Harris-Tavita and Nikorima showed great game management to force three abandonments from the goal line between them.
Hiku made sure his good work wasn’t wasted, producing a sensational pass to Pompey, whose touchdown on the sideline was so impressive it left the Knights with everything to do.
But they had no response as the Warriors proceeded to unleash themselves.
Winger George Jennings, who crushed Pearce in the first half with an explosive 40-meter kick return, approached a well-worked game. Tuivasa-Sheck scored a single try at a scrum before blocking Jazz Tevaga crashed late to cap off another quality individual performance.
Warriors 36 (Adam Pompey 2, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2, George Jennings, Jazz Tevaga Tries; Chanel Harris-Tavita 6 goals) Knights 6 (Attempts by Gehamat Shibasaki; goal by Kalyn Ponga). HT: 8-6.
