Knights Topple The Warriors

2009-08-11

The last game of the regular season proved to live up to expectations as the New York Knights continued their good form with a 34-24 victory over defending champions the New Haven Warriors.

With the chance to host a home semi-final, and a second place finish on the table a lot was on the line as these two sides came out fired up and ready to play.

The Knights opened up the scoring after some astute defense on their own line then making their way up the field on the back of a penalty before moving the ball wide through a long cut out pass and scoring in the corner.

It was only a matter of minutes before the Warriors struck back through a try to halfback player/coach Roy Leoni. Leoni scored on the back of some good go forward from Second Rowers Kea Misipeka and Ewan Robinson.

Possession swayed back and forth for the rest of the half. But some lazy defense by the Warriors allowed Knights fullback Luke Hume to score from dummy half. Hume also had a hand in a controversial last try of the half. A cross corner kick from dummy half was put in and the loose ball pounced on by a Knights winger. It seemed as though the Warriors were hard done by as the touch judge missed a number of offside Knights players and the try awarded.

Halftime New York Knights – 14, New Haven Warriors – 6

The third quarter has proven over the last few weeks to be a good one for the Warriors and this week was no different. Fullback Anthony Sunia recovered a kick then raced up the field breaking a number of tackles before offloading to winger Jeremy Kosbob who flicked the ball back inside to his center Derrick Roma who out ran a number of defenders to the try line.

It wasn’t long before Warriors captain Siose Muliumu was in the thick of things. Firstly scooting from dummy half and carrying over multiple Knights defenders to score. Then combining with Leoni to cross again after Robinson made yet another line break.

Up 24-14 at the end of the third quarter it seemed as though Warriors would be able hang on to the win. But the Knights had other plans as Hume once again continued to trouble the Warriors defensive line, scoring three times in the final quarter to get the Knights over the line 34-24 after the scores were locked up 24-24 with 5 minutes remaining.

Leoni said after the game he was disapointed in the loss but said his side would learn and grow from the experience.

“It was a tough loss, we had a chance to win the game but couldn’t capitalize on the opportunities that were presented to us. In saying that though the Knights really played well, they came to play 80 minutes of football and we only played 60 minutes and it showed on the score board.”

Second rowers Ben Kelly, Kea Misipeka, and Ewan Robinson had strong games for the Warriors, making a number of tackles as well as gaining good meters when running the ball.

New York Knights – 34

New Haven Warriors – 24 (Siose Muliumu 2, Derrick Roma, Roy Leoni tries; Leoni 3, Roma conversions)

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