LeagueNews.co | Robbie Hamilton
The New Zealand Warriors' Jersey Flegg team had their unbeaten streak brought to an end in a hard-fought battle against the Sydney Roosters at North Harbour Stadium on Sunday.
Despite trailing 12-22 at halftime, the Warriors showed true grit and determination as they fought back in the second half.
A try from Ben Peni early on narrowed the gap to just 18-22, giving the home team a fighting chance.
The Roosters extended their lead to 28-18 with their fifth try, but prop Toby Crosby's second try brought the Warriors within striking distance at 22-28 with 11 minutes left on the clock.
Unfortunately, the Roosters sealed the deal with a late try, securing a 34-22 win.
The Warriors had shown flashes of brilliance throughout the match, rallying from a 16-0 deficit early on with tries from Presley Seumanu and Crosby.
While the Warriors may have come up short this time, their never-say-die attitude and fighting spirit are sure to see them bounce back stronger in the next game.
The Roosters may have won the battle, but the Warriors will be back in the fray, ready to fight another day.