A series of five tries in twenty minutes has seen the Dragons keep their finals hopes alive, beating the Warriors 26- 6.
With 2518 in attendance at Mt Smart Stadium, it was a thrilling game for the first-ever stand-alone NRLW match
It was a deadlock at nil all for the first 18 minutes, with the Dragons nearly crossing the line several times but being denied for a forward pass and then strong goal-line defence by the Warriors.
The Warriors were the first to score, with Onjeurlina Leiataua bursting through defenders to put the ball down over the line. Despite being followed by some sharp attack, the Dragons managed to hold them to 6 – 0 going into the break.
After some strong defence by both teams, the Dragons drew level in the 42nd minute when Shaylee Bent stepped through defenders and dived over the line off a great ball from Keeley Davis. It was then only four minutes until rugby convert Tiana Penitani sped to the line and rolled over defenders to get the ball down.
The floodgates were opened in the 52nd minute despite some scrambling Warriors defence, when a chip by Maddie Studdon saw Maitua Feterika score under the posts. Only three minutes later centre Jessica Sergis did what she does best and stepped through Warriors defenders to join the try-scoring club.
While the Warriors never gave up in their strong defence, the Dragons proved just too fast when Botille Vette-Welsh ran 90 metres untouched to score in the final minute, adding the icing to the cake.
With both teams at one win each, next week will be crucial to their grand final hopes.
