Gasnier gets double as Saints go down at Suncorp
Report from: Alison Nolan
28/05/04

A terrific crowd at Suncorp Stadium were treated to a great game of rugby league when the Dragons just went down to the home side by 24-22.

With players on both sides backing up from the State of Origin game two nights earlier, the fitness and determination of the players showed right throughout the game as the score fluctuated between the two sides.

The Dragons went into the halftime break with a lead of 16-12, scoring three first half tries, knowing full well the Broncos would hit back at them with vengeance in the second half.

And this they did almost straight after the break, taking the lead and holding it until the end, the Dragons only managing their first points in the second half in the 80th minute.

The forwards on both sides were impressive, putting in a mountain of work. Civoniceva, Ryan and Parker especially for the Broncos were tremendous on defence as was Thompson and Young and Kite for the Dragons. Ikin and McGuire combined well in the halves for the Broncos allowing a lot of movement right across the park.

Suncorp Stadium
Referee: Tim Mander
Video Referee: Chris Ward. Touch Judges: Pat Reynolds, Gavin Badger
Scorers:
BRONCOS 24
Tries: Ikin, Tallis, Hunt, Kelly
Goals: De Vere 4/5
defeated
DRAGONS 22
Tries: Gasnier 2, Hornby, Timmins
Goals: Riddell 2/3, Head 1/1

By the clock:

2 days out from the first State of Origin with many players from both sides backing up tonight for their clubs.

0 min: Kick off!

3rd min: TRY - Gasnier for Dragons. Back on the field following suspension Gasnier gets the first points of the night. A high kick from Holdsworth is passed beautifully to Gasnier to score. Riddell from 10 metres in goes wide and misses. Dragons 4-0

7th min: TRY - Ikin for Broncos. McGuire breaks through the defence out wide with Ikin in support who scores. De Vere gets the conversion. Broncos 6-4

9th min: NEWS - The kick off after the try is fumbled by the Broncos and the Dragons have a gift line dropout. The kick by Head on the last tackle goes too far and the attack dies

15th min: NEWS - Hunt (Broncos) busts through the defensive line and makes a good 40 metres. Play breaks down on the last tackle as Gasnier intercepts a pass. The game opening up. Broncos 6-4

16th min: TRY - Hornby for Dragons. Hard yards once more for the Dragons. The ball pops up nicely for Hornby close to the line and he scores under the posts. Riddell from right in front. Dragons 10-6

18th min: NEWS - Another mistake from the restart this time at the other end of the field as Head drops the ball in goal from the kick. A line dropout this time for the Broncos.

20th min: NEWS - De Vere (Broncos) misses a chance for a penalty goal as he hooks the ball rather badly. Dragons hold their lead, 10-6

22nd min: NEWS - Head (Dragons) put a high kick to the in goal. Kelly and Hunt both go for the ball and collide with no one calling for it. Line dropout to the Dragons, ending in a 20 metre restart for the Broncos, Carlaw just missing a chance to score out wide

24th min: NEWS - Thompson (Dragons) falls heavily to the ground in a 3 man tackle. Looks to carry on in the match at this stage

29th min: TRY - Tallis for Broncos. McGuire once again finds the hole and breaks through the defence with a rampaging Tallis in support. De Vere adds an easy 2 points. Broncos 12-10

34th min: NEWS - The Broncos piling on the pressure with the Dragons players looking tired. Desperate defence stops any scoring

36th min: TRY - Timmins for Dragons. A Brisbane mistake hands the Dragons great field position. A steady set, Timmins moving forward throws a terrific dummy to score right in the corner. Head from right on the sideline, kicks a pearler conversion. Dragons 16-12

40th min: NEWS - Gasnier (Dragons) looks to burst to the line, throws the ball back in the tackle only to have it scooped up by a Broncos player

HALFTIME: A fluctuating game with both side seeming to tire, only to burst back to life and score points. Could go either way in the 2nd half. Dragons lead at the break, 16-12

HALFTIME STATS:

Possession: Broncos 46% - Dragons 54%
Penalties: Broncos 3 - Dragons 3
Completed sets: Broncos 11/16 - Dragons 17/20
Errors: Broncos 6 - Dragons 3
Offloads: Broncos 6 - Dragons 11

Second half underway..

43rd min: TRY - Hunt for Broncos. Mapp breaks through the Dragons defence and runs 40 metres. Support by Carroll who throw a 'round the corner' pass to Hunt who scores under the posts. De Vere adds the 2 points. Broncos 18-16

45th min: NEWS - Gasnier (Dragons) off at the break limping with a twisted ankle, has more problems and may leave the field with the ankle injury. Creagh on to replace him

50th min: NEWS - The Broncos with the weight of possession from the halftime break are putting pressure on the Dragons defence. To their credit, the Dragons scrambling defence has been as solid as a rock. Broncos lead 18-16

51st min: NEWS - Great attack to the line by the Broncos and Hunt nearly catches the defence napping. The video ref is used to show Hunt was just short of the line and used a double movement for the ball to get over the line

55th min: NEWS - Withers (Dragons) off the field following a solid tackle by Costigan which left Withers a bit worse for wear. Broncos still hang onto the lead, 18-16

59th min: NEWS - The Dragons have their first real chance to score in the second half when De Vere drops the ball 10 metres out from the Dragons line. Unfortunately for the Dragons the attack breaks down with a sloppy pass

66th min: NEWS - Dragons unlucky on attack, when Tallis deliberately rakes out the ball, the ref ruling the ball lost by the Dragons player. The scrum feed to the Broncos

68th min: NEWS - Carlaw (Dragons) off the field with an eye injury. No change in the score

69th min: TRY - Kelly for Broncos. The Broncos manage to break through the tiring Dragons defence to take play up to the 20 metre mark. Spreading the ball to the other side of the field, Kelly scores right in the corner. De Vere does a magic conversion from the sideline to get an eight point lead. Broncos 24-16

71st min: Gasnier (Dragons) returns to the game

75th min: NEWS - Brisbane playing well and applying more pressure to the Dragons

78th min: NEWS - The Dragons busting the Broncos defence wide open but not enough to grab the points. Howell very unlucky not to score. Broncos 24-16

80th min: TRY - Gasnier for Dragons. The defence opened wide after so excellent go forward by the Dragons. Riddell adds the extra 2 points quickly. Broncos 24-22

FULL TIME: A great game

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Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 - P Civoniceva (Broncos)
2 - K Hunt (Broncos)
1 - L Thompson (Dragons)
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