The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have been defeated by the New Zealand Warriors 36-6 in the NYC fixture at Mt Smart Stadium.
Fresh off a bye, the Bulldogs came into the clash looking for their fifth win of the season, but were out played by the Warriors who ran in seven tries to one.
Both sides had their chances in the opening 15 minutes of the match, before the home side capitalised on an opportunity in the 17th minute when a backline move to their right found centre Melino Fineanganofo to cross for the first try of the match. Halfback Chanel Harris-Tavita added the extras to give the Warriors a 6-0 lead.
Three minutes later following a Bulldogs error inside their own half, the home side were in again through five-eighth Kane Telea. The ball went through a number of hands from their right to their left before finding Telea who scored under the post. Chanel Harris-Tavita converted and it was a 12-point lead.
The Warriors had all the momentum and went close to scoring in the 25th minute, but some desperate defence from the Bulldogs held the ball runner up to stop the try.
The hard work from the visitors was undone when the Warriors shifted the ball to their right two tackles later to centre Fineanganofo who grabbed a first half double. The kick was waved away and the score was 16-0.
Five minutes later the Warriors had their fourth try of the half when centre Dean Kouka-Smith crossed down the short side to extend he lead out to 20.
The next set after points saw a 40/20 from Halfback Chanel Harris-Tavita put the home side once again in good field position which led to Fullback Lee Turner scoring out wide in the 36th minute. Harris-Tavita converted to give the Warriors a 26-0 lead at the break.
The second half saw the Warriors grab tries in the 57th and 59th minutes through Winger Gibson Popoalii and forward Jerome Mamea to give the home side a 36 nil lead. Harris-Tavita was able to convert one of the tries.
The Bulldogs were to grab a try in the 68th minute when centre Adam Keighran split the defence to score out wide. He converted his try and the score was 36-6.
Handling errors from both side came into the match in the final ten minutes and with no change to the score, the Warriors ran out 36-6 winners.
Warriors 36 (Fineanganofo 2, Mamea, Popoalii, Telea, Kouka-Smith, Turner tries: Harris-Tavita 4 goals)
Def.
Bulldogs 6 (Keighran try: Keighran goal)
