Sparkling finish for seasoned Warriors

Brent Webb (left) and Awen Guttenbeil leave the field to the acclamation of their teammates. Picture / Brett Phibbs

The Warriors faithful farewelled club stalwarts Brent Webb and Awen Guttenbeil in style as the team thrashed the Sydney Roosters 42-16 at Mt Smart Stadium yesterday.

It was the final home appearance for the England-bound players, who have played a big part in a late-season revival which brought the Warriors their fourth successive win in front of a crowd of 12,700.

Webb was denied two tries by the video referee, and neither player got on the scoresheet, but those were minor points as the long-suffering home fans were given something to savour.

Guttenbeil, who joined the Warriors in 1996 and was playing his 169th game, pumped a fist as a farewell gesture to the crowd after man-of-the-match Jerome Ropati's fourth and final try.

Captain Steve Price refused to blame the loss of four competition points - the penalty for breaching the salary cap - for the team's not making the top-eight playoffs.

Price said they could have overcome the points deficit, and he was full of hope for the future.

"It's exciting to see these young guys improving and I'm look forward to them coming back more confident and stronger next season."

The Warriors' final match is against the Broncos in Brisbane.