Last minute field goal sinks Junior Warriors

Toka Likiliki of the Junior Warriors. Photo / Getty Images.

Raiders 39
Junior Warriors 38

A last minute Raiders field goals has clutched defeat from the jaws of victory for the Junior Warriors in their Toyota Cup qualifying final in Canberra today.

The Warriors who are the defending champions - and finished the regular season in second place - will now face the Sydney Roosters in the next round of the playoffs.

In a 14-try thriller the Junior Warriors took the lead for the first time in the 74th minute and looked to have the win in the bag, before a late Raiders try, conversion and field goal shattered their fight back.

In the end the Warriors were made to pay for a sloppy, slow start where they conceded 16 points in the opening 13 minutes.

And despite mounting two spirited 16-point fight backs the Warriors will be left to stew over the one that got away.

Due to the lack of a Warriors first-grade home semifinal, the Under-20s had to travel to Canberra for the playoff despite finishing above their opponents, who they beat 26-12 last weekend, on the table.

Canberra 39 (J Reuben, E Lee 2, J Ahearn, J Hawkins, A Milford, J Hawkins tries; A Milford 5 con; 1 Field goal) Warriors 38 (D Fusita, T Bishop, T Likiliki 2, M Lino, N Laumare, Havili tries ; M Lino 5 con) Halftime 20-16