Warriors recruit escapes suspension as Dragons misery continues with one-point loss
Updated . First published
Warriors recruit Erin Clark has escaped suspension after he was placed on report for a high shot on Jack De Belin.
Clark's tackle came in a one-point win for the Warriors over the Dragons, as Luke Metcalf once again showed his class at halfback with a winning field goal.
The lock-forward has since been hit with a grade one careless high tackle charge and will be fined $1000 with an early guilty plea.
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Erin Clark's hit on Jack de Belin. Fox League
The visitors were out to a strong start in Wollongong, leading 14-0 inside 30 minutes.
Tries came to Metcalf and Taine Tuaupiki while the former also hit two penalty goals.
Right on half time, the Dragons went into the sheds with momentum after Clint Gutherson scored to make it 14-4 at the break.
Moments into the second half, Clark collected De Belin across the face with Steve 'Blocker' Roach describing it as a "lazy arm" on Fox League.
De Belin's mouth was wide open after the hit, clutching at his face and looking right in the direction of the referee before he pointed and laughed at Clark when the penalty was given.
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The Dragons' try-scoring form continued when Dylan Egan crossed the line before it became 14-14 in the 52nd minute following Corey Allan's four-pointer.
Both sides then engaged in a grind with neither team able to put their stamp on the match.
Metcalf, who moved to halfback in the off-season, then showed why that move is paying off, slotting a field goal with 10 minutes to go.
The Dragons failed to threaten from there and it was the Warriors flying home with a 15-14 victory.
It's the second time Metcalf has hit a winning field goal this season after securing a win against the Broncos earlier in the season.
Next week the Warriors play the Dolphins while the Dragons are up against Brisbane.
