It was a new look Warriors outfit that took the ground last Sunday with Matt Cutler, Aaron Bradley, Matt Cook and Heath Brew all playing their first game players. They were also backed strongly by returning players Wayne Craft and David Field.
Kicking with a strong breeze Sunbury got off to a solid start against the Warriors who appeared to be still adjusting to the new style of play introduced by the new Club Coach Ash Oldman.
Sunbury's bad kicking at goal kept the Warriors in the match and when Aaron Bradley kicked truly after some classic in and under work by Brett Morris the Warriors only trailed by 11 points at the first break.
The Warriors gradually gained some control of the contest midway through the second quarter. Joe Pataki, Wayne Craft and Jamie March provided the spring board out of defence into attack and goals from Gary Fenton and David Field had the Warriors back in touch.
After the main break Sunbury again started strong but solid defenders Ash Oldman, Paul March and Brett Morris kept their scoring to a minimum. Matt Cutler was proving to be a great asset in the ruck providing the Warriors with the first use of the ball. Big marking forward David Field brought down a big pack mark and set up Garry Fenton second major. When Heath Brew marked in the square in the dying moments of the third quarter the Warriors look to go five points up.
With scores level the the Warriors were posed for a solid win going into the last quarter with a strong breeze. This wasn't to be with Sunbury going goal for goal with Warriors in the last term.
With the game in the balance and only minutes remaining it was the defensive pressure of forward line players Greg Sage, Heath Brew and Mike Whitaker that made the difference.
Wellington Warriors 6.5.41 def Sunbury Lions 5.9.39
Best: Brett Morris, Matt Cutler, Matt Cook, Aaron Bradley, Jamie March
Goals: Garry Fenton 2, David Field 1, Mike Whitaker 1, Aaron Bradley 1, Joe Pataki 1
Last Modified on 12/05/2014 15:39