Warriors survive late scare to upset Sea Eagles

Looking down the barrel of a record seventh straight loss at Mount Smart Stadium, the Warriors put in arguably their best performance of the year.

The change in attitude was clear to see from the very first set, as the Warriors swarmed Manly in gangs of three or four, in what would become an enduring feature of their game at Mount Smart Stadium.

Rookie wonder Chanel Harris-Tavita was outstanding, setting up a pair of first-half tries and contributing eight points off the boot, while Ken Maumalo scored a double with neat finishes in tight spaces.

It was the 111kg winger who opened the scoring, latching on to a pinpoint kick from Harris-Tavita and tiptoeing his way to the line.

Given what they endured last week it was a dream start for the hosts, but for the next 15 minutes they hardly touched the ball and had to endure an onslaught from Manly.

But they survived, and on their next chance down the other end of the park Roger Tuivasa-Sheck produced some brilliance to give them a second try, getting on the end of a Blake Green chip before soccer kicking for himself and flicking the ball back to a waiting Ligi Sao.

When Maumalo added a second three minutes later, and Harris-Tavita converted from the sideline, the Warriors led 16-0.

In a half where Harris-Tavita could seemingly do no wrong, he kicked for himself to force a dropout, before kicking a penalty on the next set to send his side into the sheds up 18-0.

The Sea Eagles continued to enjoy the lion's share of possession in the second spell, but found the Warriors had an answer for everything they threw at them in attack, until Blair's sin-binning let them back into the game.

Joel Thompson steamed over from close range before Garrick crossed twice and converted both of his efforts from the sideline, to make it 18-16 with four to play.

But Api Koroisau's forward pass halted Manly's momentum and on the next set Tevaga burrowed over to seal the game.