LeagueNews.co | Nick Loken
In the Harold Matthews Cup grand final held at Leichhardt Oval, the NZ Warriors secured back-to-back premierships with a 30-16 victory over Newcastle.
Key to their triumph was Bishop Neal, whose man-of-the-match performance distinguished him amidst a strong team effort.
Finishing the regular season in third place, the Warriors displayed formidable strength in the playoffs, overcoming the Sydney Roosters, South Sydney, and ultimately, the Knights.
Neal, a 16-year-old student from St Thomas of Canterbury College, was the standout player.
His performance featured two impressive tries, relentless runs that racked up significant yards, and crucial defensive plays.
Neal's first try came 16 minutes into the match when the Warriors moved the ball left through Ronan Byford and Alapati Soagia.
He received the ball 30 meters out, skillfully evading two defenders and delivering a powerful fend to Newcastle fullback Riley Rostron on his way to a remarkable score.
Shortly after, he jumped into dummy half near the line, carrying four defenders with him to secure another try.
With Soagia converting both attempts, the score tied at 12-12, indicating the Warriors' competitive edge.
The well-rounded performance of the Warriors, coupled with Neal's extraordinary contributions, solidified their dominance in the competition, as they celebrated their success once again.