St George Illawarra Dragons have defeated Brothers Valleys by 60-4 in a pre-season trial match.

The Saints team, captained by a trimmer looking Chris Leikvoll and made up mainly from lower grade ranks were far too good for their Brisbane affiliate club running in 11 tries to one.

It was a good first up hit out for the Dragons and gave a number of young and newly signed players an opportunity to impress head coach Andrew Farrar and new First Division coach, Michael Potter.

Most impressive was half Dean Byrne (pictured in foreground, right) who set up much of the play. Byrne scored a try and kicked seven goals for a personal tally of 18 points. Kieran Kerr, also competing for the half back spot, looked sharp as well and put in some well directed passes.

Other stand outs included centre threequarters Christian Hill (pictured in background, right) and Damien Bower as well as winger Wise Kaviverata who made several strong runs. Impressive up front were second rowers Brent Kite who showed plenty of go forward and Shane Millard who lost possession a few times but put in a good defensive effort.

The match, played in four 20 minute quarters, began with a burst down the right flank from Lee Hookey (pictured top) who scored out wide. Hookey, along with other try scorers, Reece Simmonds and Aaron Gorrell were only given short runs leading to the view that they are already ear marked for first grade spots.

At half time it was 24-nil and the match was beyond doubt. The flood gates opened in second half with several breaks being made just wide of the ruck.

Injured and forced to leave the field late in the match were forward Stephen Duggan (ankle) and back Damien Bower who was bracing his rib cage.

A near capacity crowd of over 5,000 people came out to see Saints first game of 2002 and  Brothers Valleys who were playing their first ever game as a joint venture. The Die Hards scored a try in the third quarter and didn't play too bad for the most part but in the end they were simply out-classed.

St George Illawarra 60 (Tutt 2, Hookey, Simmonds, Bower, Byrne, Kerr, Hornby,  Laloata, Gorrell, Hill tries. Byrne 7, Gorrell 1 goals)
Brothers Valleys 4 (Glen Barber try)
Referee: Mark Waugh
Perry Park (Bowen Hills, Brisbane)
Crowd: over 5,000

Full team squad
Pre-match details

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