Jersey Flegg: Warriors survive late Dragons fightback in Auckland

The hosts found points just five minutes in though Harry Tauafiafi-Iutoi who pounced on a Jarome Falemoe grubber in the left corner to make it 6-0.

A ricocheted kick landed in the waiting arms of Kahu Capper who muscled his way to the try-line to extend the hosts’ lead to double figures.

Capper nabbed a second moments later after halfback Jett Cleary stepped his way into space on the last and hit the No.4 with a miracle flick pass as he lost his footing to cross in the right corner and make it 16-0.

Despite contending with a stiff breeze, the Dragons managed to find points prior to the break with two of the SG Ball graduates – Kade Reed and Charlie Heidke – linking down the right.

Reed put in a deft grubber for his chasing centre who outpaced a pair of Warriors to win the race to the bouncing ball and grounded it as the deficit was cut back to 10.

Back-to-back inspired defensive efforts led by Daniel Meafou – another of the Illawarra contingent on debut – forced a Warriors error to earn the Dragons another opportunity in good ball.

A sloppy string of passes saw the ball sail into touch however off it as the Warriors were let off the hook.

The Warriors were awarded a penalty for a late shot moments short of half-time which gave Cleary the opportunity to knock over a penalty goal and make it a 18-6 lead for the hosts.

Cyrus Stanley-Traill went off for a HIA – which he failed – in the aftermath bringing Round 6 debutant Viliami Hikila into the action.

A botched short kick-off gave the Warriors one final crack at the Dragons’ line and Jacob Auloa obliged slamming the ball down out of dummy-half to give his side an 18-point edge as the siren sounded.

A penalty in the opening set of the second half piggybacked the Dragons upfield with Halangahu producing a barnstorming individual effort off it to dive over and snag his side’s second four-pointer of the afternoon.

The Warriors hit back moments later however through Emosi Ravosai who was the beneficiary of a spilt grubber as the hosts found another last play try.

The hosts’ momentum continued with Cleary stepping his way over next to the sticks to extend their lead further as they entered the final quarter of the contest.

Jarrah Treweek was helped from the field for the Dragons with an apparent lower leg injury after he was bent back awkwardly in a tackle.

Reed continued to put together a promising debut bursting into the backfield from inside his own half to put his side of the front foot before forcing a drop-out later in the set.

Fellow debutant Lucas Borg crossed for the Dragons off it with Heidke showcasing a nice set of hands to send his winger over untouched for the side’s third.

The visitors scored again their very next set off the back of a penalty with Lyric Craft-Te Moananui crafting a superb, around-the-corner offload to winger David Afu who swerved past the cover to dive over.

Reed remained perfect from the tee to bring the visitors back within in a dozen entering the final stages.

The visitors’ fightback continued with Afu taking in a pristine Tyler Peckham-Harris cut-out to dive over for his second as the clock continued to tick down.

Reed’s conversion snuck over from inches inside the right touchline to bring the Dragons back within six.

Afu’s second try proved the side’s final say however as the Warriors held on to win it a nail-biter on home soil.