NSW Cup Match Report: Last gasp winner

Fullback Taine Tuaupiki kicked a conversion after the final siren to give the One New Zealand Warriors a dramatic 26-24 win over St George Illawarra in today’s seventh-round New South Wales Cup contest at Collegians Sporting Complex in Wollongong.

The Dragons had sneaked into the lead – 24-20 – for the first time in the match with a Savelio Tamale try four minutes from fulltime but the Warriors weren’t to be denied.

Inside the last minute they organised a try for winger Setu Tu to lock it up 24-24 with all the pressure on Tuaupiki to seal victory.

He didn’t disappoint, coolly slotting the goal for the Warriors’ third win of the season.

The victory rounded out a brilliant day for the club’s pathways teams after the Harold Matthews Cup side had stunned favourite Canterbury Bankstown 12-10 to make next week’s under-17 grand final and the Jersey Flegg Cup under-21 team headed off the Dragons 28-22 for its first win of the season.

The New South Wales Cup victory was built on a fast start which delivered tries to second rower Maia Sands, Tuaupiki and hooker Jaydee Aloa – all converted by Tuaupiki – for an 18-0 lead inside 24 minutes.

The Dragons snared a try before the break and two more in the third quarter to close to 14-18 with 25 minutes to play before the Warriors went out to 20-14 when they opted for a penalty 12 minutes from time. It would be critical.

In the space of three minutes the Dragons scored twice but could convert only one of the tries for a 24-20 lead before the two Tus - Tu and Tuaupiki - combined to seal victory.

Tuaupiki’s goal kicking was the difference.

The Warriors were outscored five tries to four but Tuaupiki converted all four as well as adding a goal for a total of 14 points while St George Illawarra’s Jesse Marschke succeeded with just two conversions.

The Warriors face top side Penrith at North Harbour Stadium next Saturday.