Metcalf mania guides Warriors home in first half blitz

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Warriors v North Queensland Cowboys

A 28-point first half from the New Zealand Warriors set the scene for a dramatic 30-26 verdict over the North Queensland Cowboys as the Warriors withheld a fast finishing Cowboys side.

The Warriors were playing enterprising footy early and were denied by the Bunker when Luke Metcalf was offside from a Chanze Nicoll-Klokstad grubber kick. After repelling several sets down the other end of the field, the Warriors were able to capitalise on their next opportunity as Metcalf put Kurt Capewell into space before finding the halfback to score the opening try after seven minutes.

Three minutes later, Metcalf again turned provider with a terrific set-play out to the left. He found Chanel Harris-Tavita who delivered a magic pass to Edward Kosi to score their second and the Warriors were looking ominous. The Cowboys attack finally got into gear after 14 minutes. Scott Drinkwater dug into the line to put Jeremiah Nanai into space before linking up with Jaxon Purdue to get the Cowboys on the board for Magic Round.

As the rain continued to tumble down, the Warriors were playing like they would never have this time again. A great reverse grubber kick from Chanel Harris-Tavita caught the Cowboys unaware, Tom Dearden couldn't handle it and Harris-Tavita picks the loose ball up and gets it to the ground first.

Metcalf once again became the star of the show, after a huge break to get the Warriors back in attacking territory. He did it on his own, getting on the outside of the Cowboys right edge to get the ball to the ground and it was a 16 point lead in the first half an hour.

Very quickly, the away side got back into it as Tom Dearden fought his way to the line to score and reduce it to a 10 point game. In the dying stages of the first half, Adam Pompey intercepted a Jake Clifford pass to sprint 50 metres to score and make it a 28-12 scoreline at half-time.

Metcalf added a penalty goal early in the second half to make it a three-converted-try game and it looked an uphill battle. North Queensland needed to be the next team to score and they delivered some magic of their own with 25 to play. An early kick from Clifford sat up perfectly for Robert Derby. The PNG international beat the cover tackle of CNK to score a much needed four pointer.

Two minutes later, Murray Taulagi continued his history of magic tricks at Magic Round. Despite juggling the ball, he was able to beat the cover of Capewell to slam the footy down in the right corner. As the Cowboys continued to have all momentum. It wasn't long before the away side were within a try of the Warriors. A clever Drinkwater kick wasn't defused by Taine Tuaupiki as he was crunched by Purdue and Jeremiah Nanai picks it up and scored for the Cowboys.

Despite an enthralling final twenty minutes. The Warriors were able to push back every attempt at the Cowboys attacking twenty, including a big try saver from Luke Metcalf to hold on for a famous win at Magic Round, their second on this stage in succession as the Cowboys first half fadeouts continue to be of significant concern to coach Todd Payten.