The Warriors have recorded back-to-back wins for the first time this NRL season, despite playing with 12 men for a quarter of their match against the Cronulla Sharks.
Photo: NRL Photos
Front-rower Kane Evans was sin-binned twice after being riled up by Sharks centre Will Chambers but the Warriors held on to beat Cronulla 18-16 on the Gold Coast.
Evans was given his marching orders for the first time in the 35th minute for punching Chambers.
The Sharks scored two tries before the halftime to break a 6-all deadlock and take a 16-6 lead at the break.
Once the Warriors were back to 13 players they scored twice, with Reece Walsh and Euan Aitken both dotting down to draw level at 16-all midway through the second-half.
Evans was then sin-binned for the second time in the 64th minute for a head slam on Chambers.
Despite being down to 12 men the poked their nose in front with Walsh kicking a penalty goal.
The Sharks curiously turned down an opportunity to square up with a penalty goal, opting to attempt to score a try. That backfired when Connor Tracey kicked early in the tackle count and turned over possession.
Warriors five-eighth Harris-Tavita was sin-binned for deliberately slowing down the play in the final minute, allowing Cronulla one final play.
But a two-point field goal attempt from Braydon Trindall was awry, hurting Cronulla's finals hopes and keeping the Warriors' alive.
The Warriors are still 12th on the ladder but are now four points outside the top eight with four rounds remaining.
- RNZ/NRL