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Metcalf kicks Warriors to best NRL start in 20 years - 1News
<article><p>Luke Metcalf has sent the Warriors to their best start to an NRL season in more than 20 years, after kicking the club to a 15-14 win over St George Illawarra.</p><p>After the Warriors led 14-0 early, they looked set to be the fourth team to fall victim to a comeback in two days before Metcalf saved them on Saturday night.</p><p>With the Dragons able to get scores level at 14-14 with 28 minutes left, Metcalf nailed a 25-metre field goal to win it in Wollongong.</p><p>The half's deception was key to the play, standing in the line and seemingly catching the Dragons' unaware as he got the kick away under little pressure.</p><p>The Dragons had a shot at field goal with five minutes to play to level the scores, but Valentine Holmes sent it wide before another attacking set went begging.</p><p>"Luke practices that deception bit, that he looks like he's playing but he knows what he wants to do," coach Andrew Webster said.</p><p>"It was the right call at the right time. </p><p>"He will look at his game, we didn't attack well in the second half ... I don't think he or the team will be happy with the attack.</p><p>"But I liked that he knew one point was important there. I don't think anyone in the stadium thought he was going to take it but Luke. </p><p>"They're always the best and smartest field goals from halves."</p><p>Saturday night wasn't Metcalf at his best, but he is a big reason why they are second on the ladder this late in a season for the first time since 2002.</p><p>The No.7 got the Warriors' first try, dummying his way through Luciano Leilua and Lyhkan King-Togia to score after impressive lead up play from Erin Clark.</p><p>The half also had a role in the Warriors' next, when his cross-field kick was inch perfect and Taine Tuaupiki capitalised in the corner.</p><p>Crucially he also kicked three-from-four off the tee, compared to Holmes' one-from-three. And while the Warriors attack lost its way in the second half, Metcalf was still able to provide the key moment in what has been a breakthrough season.</p><p>For the Dragons, it is a case of the same old story after three wins from their opening nine games.</p><p>They did well to get back into the contest with a hot start to the second half, and looked like they had all the momentum when Corey Allan levelled the scores.</p><p>But this is the third game this year the Dragons have been beaten at the death, and second time a field goal has sunk them with limited kick pressure.</p><p>"It's the second game this year we have scored more tries than the opposition and haven't won the footy game, and that really hurts," coach Shane Flanagan said.</p><p>"There were a couple of decisions that made it hard for us, not just from the referee but from us. We bombed a couple of tries.</p><div><h2>More on this topic</h2></div><p>"In the end we had the opportunity to kick goals and kick field goals and we didn't do it.</p><p>"The effort is there, they are trying hard. Execution I can question, but not effort."</p></article>
<article><p>Luke Metcalf has sent the Warriors to their best start to an NRL season in more than 20 years, after kicking the club to a 15-14 win over St George Illawarra.</p><p>After the Warriors led 14-0 early, they looked set to be the fourth team to fall victim to a comeback in two days before Metcalf saved them on Saturday night.</p><p>With the Dragons able to get scores level at 14-14 with 28 minutes left, Metcalf nailed a 25-metre field goal to win it in Wollongong.</p><p>The half's deception was key to the play, standing in the line and seemingly catching the Dragons' unaware as he got the kick away under little pressure.</p><p>The Dragons had a shot at field goal with five minutes to play to level the scores, but Valentine Holmes sent it wide before another attacking set went begging.</p><p>"Luke practices that deception bit, that he looks like he's playing but he knows what he wants to do," coach Andrew Webster said.</p><p>"It was the right call at the right time. </p><p>"He will look at his game, we didn't attack well in the second half ... I don't think he or the team will be happy with the attack.</p><p>"But I liked that he knew one point was important there. I don't think anyone in the stadium thought he was going to take it but Luke. </p><p>"They're always the best and smartest field goals from halves."</p><p>Saturday night wasn't Metcalf at his best, but he is a big reason why they are second on the ladder this late in a season for the first time since 2002.</p><p>The No.7 got the Warriors' first try, dummying his way through Luciano Leilua and Lyhkan King-Togia to score after impressive lead up play from Erin Clark.</p><p>The half also had a role in the Warriors' next, when his cross-field kick was inch perfect and Taine Tuaupiki capitalised in the corner.</p><p>Crucially he also kicked three-from-four off the tee, compared to Holmes' one-from-three. And while the Warriors attack lost its way in the second half, Metcalf was still able to provide the key moment in what has been a breakthrough season.</p><p>For the Dragons, it is a case of the same old story after three wins from their opening nine games.</p><p>They did well to get back into the contest with a hot start to the second half, and looked like they had all the momentum when Corey Allan levelled the scores.</p><p>But this is the third game this year the Dragons have been beaten at the death, and second time a field goal has sunk them with limited kick pressure.</p><p>"It's the second game this year we have scored more tries than the opposition and haven't won the footy game, and that really hurts," coach Shane Flanagan said.</p><p>"There were a couple of decisions that made it hard for us, not just from the referee but from us. We bombed a couple of tries.</p><div><h2>More on this topic</h2></div><p>"In the end we had the opportunity to kick goals and kick field goals and we didn't do it.</p><p>"The effort is there, they are trying hard. Execution I can question, but not effort."</p></article>
