League: Soggy farewell for Awen

Warriors 12 Sharks 10

You have to feel sorry for Awen Guttenbeil. Firstly Sione Faumuina tried his best to ruin Guttenbeil's testimonial luncheon with an inappropriate and offensive outburst that will do nothing for his reputation. And then the dreadful Auckland weather last night rained on his parade for what was his testimonial match.

Only 4850 brave souls turned up to a cold and soggy Mt Smart Stadium last night but what would have softened the blow for the likeable Guttenbeil was the fact his side reversed its three-match losing streak and condemned the Sharks to their sixth straight loss, severely denting their playoff hopes.

The Sharks sit on the cusp of the top eight but might struggle to arrest a sharp decline in their fortunes with only four rounds remaining.

"We are a mile away from being a top eight side at the moment," frustrated Sharks coach Stuart Raper said. "I would buy a win if I could."

For Guttenbeil, those four rounds represent the end of a long chapter in his life that began when he made his debut against North Sydney in 1996. He wasn't a foundation member, playing for Manly in 1995, but he is the last remaining link from that first era of Warriors history.

Guttenbeil almost didn't play last night, with a troublesome calf injury threatening to make his testimonial as damp as the weather.

"If it hadn't been this week, I wouldn't have played," a limping and bruised Guttenbeil said after the match. "We did a pretty good job of strapping it up and I almost ran out there with a cast on. It wasn't going to hold me back."

The 30-year-old had a rare start to his 166th match for the club, leading out the team soon after the team jerseys had been handed out by inaugural Warriors skipper Dean Bell. What Guttenbeil and Bell saw in the opening seven minutes would have brought smiles to their faces.

Halfback Grant Rovelli jinked past his marker to score and give the home side a 6-0 lead. The Sharks levelled 10 minutes later, however, when Brett Kimmorley took advantage of missed tackles and muscled over.

Given the conditions, it wasn't a game for expansive league and certainly wasn't a celebration that often goes hand-in-hand with testimonials.

Paul Gallen tried to liven things up with a high shot on Patrick Ah Van and, aside from Darren Albert dropping the ball over the line after he had climbed high to claim a Kimmorley bomb, neither side really threatened.

Luke Covell broke through in the 58th minute when he dived over in the corner to give the Sharks their first lead of the night but Michael Luck replied with his first try for the Warriors 10 minutes later when he pounced on a clever Rovelli grubber.

It was appropriate Guttenbeil took the final hit-up of the game as the hooter sounded in the background.

"For myself and Webby [Brent Webb], it's counting down and you don't want to take anything for granted because it's a great place and it's given us both a huge amount of joy over the years," he said. "I'm sure Webby is like me in that we'll be looking to approach these next four weeks looking to repay the club."

And that sums up Guttenbeil. He's not a flashy player. He's an honest player. And 11 years after it all started for him, history will show he was a good club player.

Warriors 12 (G. Rovelli, M. Luck tries, T. Martin 2 gls)
Sharks 10 (B. Kimmorley, L. Covell tries, L. Covell gl).
HT: 6-6.