The Warriors under 17 team celebrating their back-to-back Harold Matthews Cup victories. Photo: David Neilson/Photosport
Second-rower Bishop Neal has scored a try double to rally the NZ Warriors under 17s to a successful defence of their Harold Matthews Cup crown, defeating Newcastle Knights 30-16 at Sydney's Leichhardt Oval.
Neal's first-half brace brought his team back from an early 12-0 deficit to level at half-time, but they again fell behind when the Knights scored first after the break.
Coached by TJ Ashford, the Warriors closed with an 18-0 run that saw five-eighth Hinckley Ioka, and props Krushil Koteka and Lucian Mikaele cross for tries, with half-back Alapati Tusa Soagia enjoying a perfect kicking performance off the tee, slotting all five conversions.
Neal, 16, was named Man of the Match.
The Auckland-based team made history last year, winning the New South Wales U17 competition at their first attempt, and have now become the first repeat champions since Parramatta Eels prevailed, in 2012 and 2013.
Bishop Neal scoring a try against Newcastle Knights, on Saturday. Photo: David Neilson/Photosport
Parramatta historically dominated the competition, taking the title 20 times, while Newcastle had won five times.
The Warriors finished third in the regular season, with six wins and two losses, but overcame Sydney Roosters 20-4 and South Sydney Rabbitohs 28-8 to reach the grand final.
In the build-up to the game, they lost the services of dummy half Amasio Tiatia and captain Tyson Hansen through injury, causing a late reshuffle in the line-up.
Halfback Hansen featured in last year's triumph, and his withdrawal left fullback Jeremia Faanu Lemana as stand-in skipper and the only player to contest both finals.
