Tyra Wetere scores a try for Warriors against Cronulla Sharks. Photo: David Rowland/Photosport
Winger Tyra Wetere grabbed a try double and teammate Payton Takimoana added to her NRLW-leading tally, but the NZ Warriors fell to their second straight loss against Cronulla Sharks 22-14.
Reduced to 11 players in their plucky defeat to Canberra Raiders last week, they again lost lock Laishon Albert-Jones to the sin bin, and during her absence, the Sharks kicked a penalty and scored a try to take control of the contest.
Cronulla poured on the early pressure, taking winger Tyra Wetere into touch and driving fullback Apii Nicholls back into her goal area for repeat possessions, but the Warriors withstood that battering.
The Sharks opened the scoring after the Warriors opted to run on the last tackle and died with the ball. From the ensuing possession, hooker Georgia Hannaway broke from dummy half and sent fullback Emma Verran clear to the tryline.
Former Black Ferns Sevens star Tyla King was left flat on the ground, after clashing heads in a tackle, and underwent a concussion check that ruled her out for the rest of the contest for Cronulla.
After a period of sustained pressure, Warriors winger Payton Takimoana added to her try tally, strolling over in the left corner, after a draw and pass from centre Shakira Baker.
They snatched the lead when big metres from the forwards and quick hands put Wetere over in the other corner.
Five-eighth Patricia Maliepo converted from the sideline and the Warriors enjoyed a 10-6 halftime advantage.
Verran had her second try, when Wetere spilled a high kick and the Sharks fullback sliced through the defence from the ensuing scrum.
The Warriors had to reshuffle their backline, when centre Kaiyah Atai hobbled to the sideline and halfback Emma Paki reverted to her natural midfield position. Luckily, they aren't short of halves in their line-up.
Albert-Jones was dispatched for a high tackle and halfback Chantay Kiria-Ratu slotted the penalty to reclaim the lead for Cronulla.
Moments later, that advantage grew, when centre Tiana Penitani Gray gave winger Cassie Staples space out wide to score in the corner.
Still shorthanded, the Warriors struck back, as Wetere secured her double with a full-length dive, barely sneaking inside the corner flag. Maliepo's sideline conversion curled away and they still trailled by two points with 10 minutes remaining.
Their hopes took another blow, when Paki left for a head assessment, with insufficient time to return.
Cronulla sealed the win when front-rower Stephanie Faulkner crashed over for a try between the posts, and their rivals ran out of time to mount another comeback.
In the dying seconds, Takimoana was held up over the tryline and Wetere was ushered into touch, as she eyed a hattrick.
The result is a blow to the Warriors' playoff hopes. With the top six qualifying, they drop to seventh on the table, with three wins and five losses.
They visit St George-Illwarra Dragons in Sydney next Saturday.
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