Luke Metcalf made a successful return from his long injury layoff to help the NZ Warriors to a big 46-10 win over the Parramatta Eels in Round 22 of the New South Wales Cup at Go Media Stadium.
Sidelined for four months after breaking his right leg in late-March, the 25-year-old was heavily involved in a 40-minute stint before making a scheduled exit from the match at halftime.
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He and halfback Te Maire Martin created havoc down Parramatta’s right edge as the Warriors bolted to 30-0 lead with five converted tries in the first 31 minutes.
Responding to the previous Friday night’s shock loss to Western Suburbs, the Warriors were in ruthless mood as they stretched the Eels almost every time they were in possession.
Wing Motu Pasikala showed great strength as he wrestled his way over for the opening try in the ninth minute before a Paul Roache bust up the middle created a try for his captain Kalani Going 12 minutes later.
There was a double for second rower Jacob Laban, one coming as he ran through and shook off multiple defenders, while Roache caught Parramatta out with a try from dummy half.
The Warriors lapsed just before the break conceding a try but were back on the scoreboard two minutes into the second half with a Taine Tuaupiki try to restore their 30-point advantage.
The Eels came back with a second try but it would be their last as the Warriors finished off the contest with Pasikala going long range for his second try followed by Eddie Ieremia-Toeava with his side’s eighth try of the day.
The Warriors’ 12th win of the season lifted them to 29 points, remaining fifth.
Meanwhile, Parramatta broke a 20-20 deadlock with a late try to hand the Warriors a six-point defeat in Saturday's Round 22 Jersey Flegg Cup (under-21) match at North Harbour Stadium.
It was a bitter blow for the Warriors. They had been down 16-4 at halftime but produced a strong second-half comeback to lock the game up with seven minutes to play, only for the Eels to seal victory inside the last two minutes.
Earlier, the two sides had made a fast start to the contest, the Eels out to a 6-0 lead after three six minutes followed by back rower Kayliss Fatialofa responding for the Warriors in the 11th minute.
They could not build on it as Parramatta went 12 points ahead at the break but started the second half ideally with a try to halfback Luke Hanson to reduce the margin to 16-10.
While the Eels soon went out to a 20-10 advantage, the Warriors then had their best passage of the day. Centre Siale Faeamani scored in the 54th minute but could not convert to leave the Warriors six points adrift.
Then nine minutes later he was in again and added the conversion to tie the game at 20-20 with all to play for.
However, it was not to be for the Warriors as standoff Te Hurinui Twidle scored and converted to give Parramatta victory.
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