RUGBY LEAGUE: An 80m intercept try by winger Aaron Hooper helped Souths snare a 24-all draw with Warwick in TRL A grade at Father Ranger Oval yesterday.

It was 12-all at half-time before Warwick took the lead in the second minute of the second half with a try to centre Dylan Galloway.

Ten minutes later, Warwick increased the lead to 24-12 after fullback Craig Donn kicked ahead, the ball hit an upright and he picked up the crumbs to score.

Souths fought back with a long-range try to fullback Corey Blades and then the intercept by Hooper levelled the scores.

Each team landed four goals.

One decision the Warwick players would have rued on the bell was not going for a penalty goal within definite kicking range with seven minutes to go. Later a Souths field-goal attempt hit the crossarm.

Coach Craig Mullaly had his hand up with two fingers but the quick on-field decision was to go for a try.

As happens so often in footy, including the NRL, the chance to score a try went begging.

Both sides dropped the ball in the final three minutes when play was close to the Warwick line and then Warwick won a scrum with four seconds to go.

It did not try a long kick but instead the player with the ball was quickly tackled and the game was over.

Souths coach Ned Murphy said Warwick was certainly one of the toughest teams his side had faced.

“Their back row was good, their halves steered them around well and they have

a good fullback,” Murphy said.