The Warriors ran out to a 32-10 win, scoring seven tries to two – five of which came in the second half.
Broughton played a standout role in the win, with her instinctive play and passing slotting in seamlessly alongside halfback Patricia Maliepo, while captain and fullback Apii Nicholls picked her spots superbly on attack to create overlaps and assist on a couple of tries.
Defensively, things started on shaky ground for the hosts as they gave away five penalties in the Bulldogs’ first three possessions – at least three of which were for poor execution in their tackles – to gift the visitors territory.
But dominant tackles were a feature of this win from the Warriors, Shakira Baker leading the way with some big shots to stop opponents in their tracks or drive them backwards.
The Warriors went a player down 13 minutes in when prop Mya Hill-Moana was sent to the sin bin for a hip drop tackle, which appeared to have caused an injury to Bulldogs halfback Tayla Preston.
That didn’t prove to be the case, as Preston was able to stay on the field and played the full 70 minutes.
Even a player down, the Warriors looked the more likely of the two sides and that was the case when Broughton opened her account with the Warriors 20 minutes into the contest.
A try out wide to Emmanita Paki five minutes later extended the lead to 10 points at halftime, but when play resumed, the Warriors were without Payton Takimoana – their strike winger who scored 15 tries last year – as she was injured late in the first half. Sky Sport commentary noted Takimoana had an arm in a sling on the sidelines.
A second to Paki almost immediately after the restart triggered a run of tries on three possessions in a row for the hosts, with Tysha Ikenasio and Lavinia Tauhalaliku scoring on their respective wings.
Maliepo was rewarded for a solid performance with a try 54 minutes in, with good footwork to beat the defensive line.
The Bulldogs eventually scored through prop Alexis Tauaneai with 10 minutes to go, before the sides traded tries – Tauhalaliku getting a second and Bulldogs centre Monica Tagoai having the final say.
Warriors Women 32 (Emmanita Paki 2, Lavinia Tauhalaliku 2, Gayle Broughton, Tysha Ikenasio, Patricia Maliepo tries; Maliepo 2 cons)
Bulldogs Women 10 (Alexis Tauaneai, Monica Tagoai tries; Tayla Preston con)
HT: 10-0