New Zealand Warriors coach Nathan Brown saluted the performances of Reece Walsh and Bayley Sironen as they picked up their first win of the season against Wests Tigers.
The Warriors are hoping to finish in the top eight of the NRL this season and are finally up and running thanks to a hard-fought 16-12 win at Campbelltown Stadium.
Consecutive losses
Both sides went into the match with 0-2 records and badly in need of a win and it was the Warriors that came out on top.
The Tigers lead 6-0 early on but then converted tries by Euan Aiken and Adam Pompey put the Warriors 12-6 ahead. They extended the lead to 14-6 thanks to a Walsh penalty goal.
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Walsh was then involved in arguably the play of the game when great work by Tigers star Oliver Gildart looked to have set up Starford To’a to go over in the corner on the stroke of half-time.
But a stunning cover tackle by Walsh took him in to touch.
High praise
Speaking to reporters after the game, Brown was full of praise for his fullback and Sironen.
"The way the boys competed, Reece [Walsh] is obviously a talented young player and everyone sees the try assists and that but his work off the ball tonight, especially in the defensive part of his game, was the best it's been since he's been here which was great, and I thought Bayley Sironen had his best game since he's been at the club," Brown said.
