Shaun the redeemer as Warriors win

A Shaun Johnson penalty in the 78th minute gave the Warriors a dramatic 14-13 win over the Roosters in Auckland yesterday.

In a gripping finish, the Roosters dominated the possession and territory stats over the final 20 minutes and despite some great defending, it looked as if a Mitchell Pearce field goal in the 75th minute had given the Roosters the win.

The Warriors failed to score in the half up until that point, but referee Ashley Klein made the big

call of awarding the Warriors a penalty from close range three minutes later. It ends the Warriors’ two-game losing streak and means they’re now two points outside the top eight.

The most thrilling action came at the end of a game which started sedately. Three minutes into it the Warriors were given a penalty, 35 metres from the Roosters line. They chose to turn down the two points from a kick but couldn’t conjure up anything from their attack.

But soon after, one of their best players of the season, James Gavet took a ball from Issac Luke at dummy half a couple of metres out and crashed over for a try, his first for the club.

The Roosters piled on the pressure in the second half, looking to take the lead for the first time, but the Warriors defence was resolute and the Sydney club eventually had to settle for a penalty kick in the 55th minute to square the game at 12-12.

The Roosters kept the heat on the Warriors and Ryan Hoffman had to charge down another onepoint attempt seven minutes from time. However, with Pearce’s third attempt he finally found the space between the posts to put the Roosters in front.

That looked to be the game, but the Warriors stormed back to win the game with Johnson’s late penalty.