Stunning comeback - Vodafone Junior Warriors 28, Penrith 30
Penrith scored a converted try in the 77th minute to stop a 12-man Vodafone Junior Warriors completing what would have been an astonishing comeback win in tonights 21st-round NYC clash against Penrith at CUA Stadium.
After captain Elijah Taylor opened the scoring in the fourth minute, the Vodafone Junior Warriors yielded five tries to trail 4-24 at halftime.
But within 13 minutes of the second spell starting, theyd totally transformed the contest, storming back to 22-24 on the back of tries from Shaun Johnson, Rusty Bristow and James Gavet.
Only minutes after his try, Gavet was ordered off after what appeared to be a relatively innocuous skirmish involving most of the players from both sides.
However, his dismissal had little effect on the Vodafone Junior Warriors.
They continued to build pressure and in the 70th minute Sione Lousis clever flick pass created space for the prolific Bill Tupou to score wide out, Johnson converting superbly from the touchline to cap an amazing recovery giving the side a 28-24 lead.
But with just three minutes left the young Panthers concocted a reply of their own to level the scores at 28-28 and then celebrated wildly as standoff Stirling Siejka converted brilliantly from wide out for a 30-28 lead.
It wasnt a safe advantage, though, and it looked anything but when Vodafone Junior Warriors fullback Jason Cook scorched 70 metres downfield after fielding a kick just short of his line.
But as he got up to play the ball Cook was ruled to have lost possession when a penalty might have been awarded for interference. That was to be the last chance.
Match details:
At CUA Stadium, Penrith
Vodafone Junior Warriors 28 (Elijah Taylor, Shaun Johnson, Rusty Bristow, James Gavet, Bill Tupou tries; Shaun Johnson 4 conversions).
Penrith Panthers 30 (Malakai Watene-Zelezniak 2, Michael Fualalo 2, Sam Jones, Ali Beale tries; Stirling Siejka 3 conversions).
Halftime: 24-4 Penrith.
Referee: Chris Butler.
