It may have taken eleven rounds, but the Vodafone Warriors have finally managed to pick up a win in Australia. It has been utterly dreadful viewing for Warriors fans, until Saturday night when they defeated the Newcastle Knights - who went into the game as clear favourites.

The Warriors managed to grind out a tough win, although they seemed hell-bent on giving the Knights every opportunity to win (we used to have hair...).

If it wasn't for Grant Rovelli's intercept in the last few seconds, well...*shudder*. At half time the score was 6-4 in favour of the Knights, showing how much of a tough night it was for both sides.

It was in the second half that the Warriors broke away, and with about twenty minutes to go they led 16-6. And that should have been enough, right?

Wrong - cue, the hair-pulling.

The Warriors went to sleep, and in the space of a few minutes the Knights had levelled up the scores. It wasn't looking good for the Warriors (or our hairdresser), and the game seemed to be heading towards extra time.

With about a minute to go, some good fortune struck the Warriors. They were given a penalty for offside play (the ball bounced off Cooper Vuna's back and into the hands of his team mate - who was in front of him). Step up Patrick Ah Van - not a regular kicker, and with time almost up he slotted it straight down the middle.

Cliched, we know. But that's exactly where it went.

Just when we thought it was all over, and that we'd retain at least some of our hair, the Knights somehow manged to get hold of the ball for one last attack. With the Warriors track record looking the way it does, you couldn't help but think the Knights were going to pull something out of the bag. Or the Warriors were going to put bags on their heads. Or something.

With an overlap out wide the Knights began to spread the ball, and a try seemed imminent...(we watch the Warriors week-in week-out - of course it seemed imminent)...

Rovelli, though, snatched an intercept and gave the Warriors a close, tough-fought win.

Interestingly, it was the second time this year the Warriors have scraped in against the Knights with a last minute intercept.

And we think we're pulling our hair out??

Final score:

Warriors 18
(trys: Michael Crockett, Patrick Ah Van, Ian Henderson; goals: Ah Van 3/4)

Knights 16
(trys: Adam MacDougall, Chris Bailey, James McManus; goals: Wes Naiqama 2/3)

Patrick Ah Van had his best night for the Warriors, only coming into the side at the last minute to replace the injured Lance Hohia. He showed nerves of steel, and converted the match winning penalty - good man! [said in the most unbiased, impartial way possible...].

While the win gets a huge monkey of their backs, the Warriors showed they still have a lot of work to do on their defence and handling. They were their own worst enemies at times on Saturday night, and if they want to make the top eight come finals time, their defence really needs to improve.

Grant Rovelli put in a good performance for a guy who's been under the gun lately, and two well-timed intercepts proved the difference between the two sides. We feel, though, that he needs to find some consistency before he can feel comfortable again - especially as Wiki is leaving at the end of the year, freeing up some extra talent-buying cash for the Warriors.

Ian Henderson continues to impress us. His work rate and strong dummy half runs are just what the Warriors need, and he's proving to be a great replacement for George Gatis.

Steve Price has re-signed with the Warriors for one more year, which will probably be his last in rugby league. It's great to know that he'll see out his last days as a Warrior.

Injured star, Wade Mckinnon, has signed on until 2011. He's stated that he's happy with life in Auckland, which has ultimately influenced his decision. Good - because we'd like you back on the field, Wade.

So, with that elusive win in Australia under their belts, the Warriors will be looking to get their season back on track.

And hopefully for Warriors fans (you've seen them - the people walking around with no hair), a top eight finish will be just around the corner.