By Jackson Russell at Aubrey Keech Reserve
Mounties have continued their surge up the VB NSW Cup ladder with a resounding 42-4 win over the New Zealand Warriors at Aubrey Keech Reserve, last Saturday.
In a match that saw the Mounties leap frog the Warriors on the ladder, Mounties blew them off the park in the first half setting up a big win for the home side.
Mounties number six Ryan Carr drew first blood going over next to the posts for an easy kick for Cornish and a 6-0 lead.
Silly penalties from the Warriors side gifted Mounties field position and young centre Jeremy Hawkins and veteran Lagi Setu were able to take advantage and both touched down for a 14-0 lead after 15 minutes of play.
Things didn’t get better for the Warriors when former Warrior, Bill Tupou split the defence and found fullback Jack Ahern to dive in under the posts to make it 20-0.
Mounties forced a repeat set after trapping Steve Waetford in his in-goal. This led to an attacking raid which ended with Tupou going over out wide. Cornish nailed the conversion from the sideline and the score was 26-0.
Mounties were looking confident and a scheming kick from Cornish was not handled by the Warriors seeing Canberra Raiders winger, Sami Sauiluma dive on the loose ball to take a 30-0 lead at the break.
The Warriors came out the blocks fast in the second half resulting in them creating some attacking chances. However errors let them down gifting Mounties possession.
After a stale second period Jake Forster broke the Warriors line and put a dangerous kick down the field. This set up a foot race between Sauiluma and Waetford which saw Sauiluma get to the ball first for his second for the afternoon.
At the 60th minute the Warriors finally got on the scoreboard when exciting youngster Abraham Papalii barged through the Mounties defence for a 36-4 score line.
As the match drew to a close, speedster Hawkins broke free of the Warriors defenders to sprint away for a try giving his side a convincing 42-4 win.
Next week sees the Mounties try and continue their winning streak taking on an inform Illawarra Cutters away at Ron Costello Oval in Shellharbour.
The New Zealand Warriors will be aiming to get back on the winners list but they have a tough match away to the West Tigers at Kirkham Park in Camden.
Mounties 42 (S Sauiluma 2, J Hawkins 2, L Setu, R Carr, J Ahearn, B Tupou tries; M Cornish 4, J Bond goals) def. NZ Warriors 4 (A Papalii try) at Aubrey Keech Reserve.
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