Last updated 22:10, April 20 2018
The Warriors have beaten St George Illawarra 20-12
The Warriors have taken the scalp of the last undefeated team in the NRL this season, defeating the St George Illawarra Dragons 20-12.
In a tense game, the Warriors' defence won this. They spent so much time with their backs to the wall, soaking up attack after attack from a Dragons side that had been victorious in their opening six games of the year.
Issac Luke had perhaps his best ever game in a Warriors jersey, scoring a try, putting in big tackles and involved in everything. It was a masterclass from the hooker, who's playing himself back into a Kiwis jersey.
Anthony Gelling's celebration for scoring his first Warriors try would make a good statue.
After the disappointments of last week's loss to the Broncos, this result showed that the Warriors' great start wasn't a flash in the pan and it's only points differential that's keeping them off top spot on the ladder.
With 12 competition points, the Warriors are already halfway towards finishing in the top eight.
Matthew Dufty was a threat throughout for the Dragons against the Warriors.
In the fourth minute Mason Lino showed for the second time this season he's capable of filling in for Shaun Johnson.
The backup halfback picked up a loose ball 15 metres out, dodged one defender, ran through two more and got the opening try.
In the ninth minute, Dragons fullback Matt Dufty almost set up a try creating space with a run on the left edge, but with the line in front of him Tim Lafai couldn't hold onto a pass.
Euan Aitken went close for the Dragons in the 17th minute but Anthony Gelling, starting his first game for the Warriors, held the centre up and then Roger Tuivasa-Sheck gathered the dropped ball.
The Dragons continued to hammer away at the Warriors line, helped by the high number of penalties going their way.
But consistently the Warriors were able to hold them out, whenever the Dragons' main danger man Dufty had the ball, he was immediately set on by two defenders, twice Luke produced crucial tackles on the fullback.
With 13 minutes left in the half, Tohu Harris copped a knee to his head and after a couple of minutes on the ground was taken off for the rest of the game.
Two more penalties went against the Warriors close to their line and the team were given a final warning by referee Ben Cummins.
The Warriors not only cleaned up their act (for a bit), but in the 36th minute got their second try, with Gelling taking a pass from Blake Green and then bursting through from a few metres out.
Ten minutes after the Warriors were given their warning, Green was given his marching orders for being offside as the Dragons mounted a late attack in the half.
But even down to 12 men, the Warriors defence was resolute, as Jason Nightingale was drove out of bounds as the hooter went.
It was a half where the Dragons were on top in just about every statistic, yet incredibly, in the one that really counted, the Warriors were up 10-0.
Nine minutes into the second period, the Warriors finally succumbed to the relentless pressure, with Ben Hunt scoring a try.
Lafai had a try ruled out 17 minutes from time because James Graham had knocked the ball on just before.
Three minutes later, the Warriors rolled down field and Luke scored the decisive try, going from a metre out when playing at dummy half.
Seven minutes from time Tariq Sims stretched out to score the Dragons' second try, while being tackled.
With the lead down to four points, it set up a nail biting finish, but the Warriors had the final say, with Mason Lino's cross field kick finding Tuivasa-Sheck in the middle and the Warriors had numbers galore out to the left, with Isaiah Papali'i getting the try.
Warriors 20 (Mason Lino, Anthony Gelling, Issac Luke, Isaiah Papali'i tries; Mason Lino 2 goals). Dragons 12 (Ben Hunt, Tariq Sims tries; Gareth Widdop 2 goals). HT: 10-0