It wasn't pretty but the Warriors did enough to dispatch an understrength Cronulla Sharks outfit in front of 13,939 fans at Mt Smart Stadium today.
Two tries to Ngani Laumape and one to Manu Vatuvei, along with two Chad Townsend goals, helped the Warriors to 16-6 halftime lead, but the second 40 saw them drop off the pace, with errors and a lack of direction allowing the Sharks to run them close.
The result gives the Warriors their first win over the Sharks since 2011, and moves them up into sixth position on the NRL ladder. They now rest among a logjam of six teams locked together on 26 points, behind both the Cowboys and Roosters and above the Storm, Bulldogs and ninth-placed Eels.
The visitors, who were already missing the likes of Luke Lewis, Wade Graham and Anthony Tupou, suffered another blow this morning when talismanic skipper Paul Gallen dropped out of the side with a virus.
Wearing black armbands as a tribute to the late Alexander D'Aleo, a 23-year-old Sutherland Shire local tragically killed in Croatia last week, the Sharks defied the critics and tipsters with an inspired performance to test their highly-rated opponents.
As has become commonplace in recent weeks, the home side began the match in dynamic fashion, with crisp passing and strong running stretching the Sharks defence.
With five-eighth Townsend and fullback Sam Tomkins sharing the kicking duties, they twice managed to trap the visitors ingoal and found reward on the back of a fifth straight set, when Ngani Laumape crossed out wide after six minutes.
The Sharks showed they had some bite, however, when they quickly fought their way downfield and claimed their first four-pointer, when replacement lock Tinirau Arona grounded a bouncing ball ingoal.
The Warriors were unfortunate to lose rookie winger Tuimoala Lolohea to a hamstring injury in his first run-on appearance, but they continued to dominate territory and possession. Two more consecutive line drop-outs inevitably took its toll on the Sharks line before some sharp ball movement gave Laumape room to run in his second of the afternoon, with Townsend again converting from near touch for a 12-6 lead.
The statistics told the story of the Warriors dominance, and after enjoying 66 per cent of the ball and a five-one penalty count, it was no surprise when Manu Vatuvei extended their lead with a try out on the left wing.
Despite having to do a mountain of defensive work the Sharks started the second-half strongly while the Warriors looked sluggish and disjointed. Rampaging Cronulla prop Andrew Fifita was carrying a fractured left arm, but did his best to lift his side with numerous offloads helping to get their second-phase play working.
The Warriors were forced to rejig their backline with Simon Mannering moving out to centre, when Dane Nielsen was forced from the park after an ugly lifting tackle from Cronulla's Sam Tagataese, but the incident failed to jolt them into action.
Consecutive penalties to the Sharks allowed them improved field position, before Jeff Robson's pinpoint cross-field kick found a leaping Sosaia Feki for their second try. Michael Gordon's sideline conversion left them just four adrift to set up a nail-biting final quarter but basic errors continued to stifle the Warriors play.
A swinging arm from Cronulla's Tupou Sopoaga allowed Townsend a 77th minute penalty shot and although the kick was wide, the Warriors reclaimed the football from a 20 metre dropout. Some frantic play and lack of organisation had them at sixes and sevens but they hung on for an ugly win.
Warriors 16 (Ngani Laumape 2, Manu Vatuvei tries; Chad Townsend 2 from 4 goals) Sharks 12 (Tinirau Arona, Sosaia Feki tries; Michael Gordon 2 goals)
