Dragons win on the bell

Report from: Bryce Pepper
05/09/03

Dragons got off to a flying start with tries to Shaun Timmins (3rd Min) and young winger Ben Creagh (10th Min) with both tries converted to have a 12-0 lead after 10 minutes. Both tries were from Broncos own mistakes.

Broncos finally got on the board when Shane Webcke powered through a huge hole to score a rare try, his first of the season and only his 13th career try to get them back within 6 due to De Vere adding the extras.

With no longer than 5 minutes later it was again the Broncos scoring this time thanks to veteran centre Tonie Carroll, De Vere adding the conversion to lock the scores at 12-12 after 22 minutes.

10 minutes later De Vere scored after some great lead up work from Stuart Kelly. De Vere converts his own try to get them out to a 6 point lead, 18-12 and that's what it stayed at till half time.

Dragons were first to score in the second half by charging Mark Riddell and he also converted his try to lock the scores at 18-18.

De Vere added 2 penalty goals in the 53rd and 58th minutes respectively to get the Broncos back to a 4 point lead 22-18 but then Mark Riddell who had a blinder of a match scored to lock the scores at 22-22 then converted to give the Dragons a 24-22 lead with 15 minutes left.

De Vere added yet another penalty goal to make people think about golden point here 24-24. Petero Civoniceva was sin binned which didn't help Broncos out at all.

Darren Lockyer with less than 6 minutes left plots a brilliant field goal to give the Broncos the lead 25-24 which seemed to take the wind out of the sails of the Dragons, but not until the 80th minute the unthinkable happened. Broncos conceded a penalty within kicking range, Riddell lined it up, time counting down he put it over. Dragons 26-25.

What a game. Broncos will be sweating on the score of the Penrith Vs Eels match on Sunday hoping Panthers can win.

Leagueunlimited.com Players of the match:
3 - Mark Riddell (Dragons)
2 - Mathew Head (Dragons)
1 - Shane Webcke (Broncos)

Scorers:
BRONCOS
Tries: Webcke, Carroll, De Vere
Goals: De Vere 6/6. Field Goal: Lockyer 1
DRAGONS
Tries: Riddell 2, Timmins, Creagh
Goals: Riddell 5/5

By the clock:

Alot of players out of this match. For the Broncos Ben Ikin is out replaced by Scott Prince. Carl Webb was dropped from the squad today. Dragons are fielding a very under-strengthed backline with alot of injury problems. Neville Costigan makes his debut for the Broncos.

0 Min: Kickoff!

3rd Min: TRY - Dragons. After a mistake from Petero Civoniceva which was controversial, Shaun Timmins breaks through some feeble defence and drags few defenders over the line to score. Riddell converts. Dragons 6-0.

10th Min: TRY - Dragons. After another Broncos mistake from Richard Swain when he kicked out on the full, the following set off the scrum Mathew Head puts a great bomb up which Ben Creagh jumped above and got the ball to score. Riddell converts from the sideline. Dragons off to a dream start 12-0.

15th Min: TRY - Broncos. Broncos finally get on the board through Shane Webcke hitting a huge gap. De Vere converts. Dragons 12-6.

21st Min: TRY - Broncos. On the last tackle, Darren Lockyer puts a grubber through which went into the path of Tonie Carroll who pounced on it to score. De Vere converts from out wide. 12-12.

32nd Min: NEWS - Both sides just testing each other out here, few moments ago Brent Kite sliced straight through and then Broncos gave a couple penalties away.

35th Min: TRY - Broncos. De Vere crosses the line after a great run from Stuart Kelly. It puts them infront for the first time in the match. De Vere has no trouble converting. Broncos now 18-12 just before halftime.

HALFTIME - After Dragons got off to a dream start 12-0 after 10 minutes Broncos slowly clawed their way back into the match and scored 18 unanswered points to lead 18-12 at the break.
Top Tacklers Broncos: Shane Webcke, Richard Swain (17).
Top Tacklers Dragons: Luke Bailey (15), Brent Kite (11).

2nd half underway!

46th Min: TRY - Dragons. Mark Riddell makes sure Dragons get the first try of the second half to get back within 2 points of the Broncos. Riddell locks the scores up 18-18.

53rd Min: PENALTY GOAL - Broncos. De Vere keeps his 100% accuracy intact with a penalty goal to give the Broncos breathing space. Broncos 20-18.

58th Min: PENALTY GOAL - Broncos. They slowly get further ahead with a 4 point advantage now. Broncos 22-18.

65th Min: TRY - Dragons. Riddell is having a blinder of a game and crosses for an important try with a kick to come to take the lead. Thats exactly what Riddell does, converts. Dragons 24-22.

68th Min: PENALTY GOAL - Broncos. Michael De Vere gets it back to 24-24.

74th Min: FIELD GOAL - Broncos. Darren Lockyer plots the ball over the crossbar and inbetween the uprights to give the Broncos a 25-24 lead.

80th Min: PENALTY GOAL - Dragons. Riddell kicks a penalty goal the give the Dragons victory here at Suncorp. Riddell had a wonderful game.

FULL TIME - This game was a great one, Riddell had a blinder of a game and for me was man of the match. The lead kept changing several times until the last minute with the penalty goal won it. Dragons 26 defeated Broncos 25.
Top Tacklers Broncos: Shane Webcke (28), Corey Parker (23).
Top Tacklers Dragons: Luke Bailey (28), Mark Riddell (23).

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