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 The
St George-Illawara Dragons have run away with
a 34-14 win against the Melbourne Storm in
an all dominating second half performance
at WIN Stadium.
After
a woeful performance against the Cowboys last
week it took just seconds into their first
set to show that the competitive Dragons had
come out to play as Head made a break and
Cooper backed up to score.
Melbourne
worked their way back into the match eventually
when big Matt King wrestled with several Dragons
defenders before finally planting the ball
down.
It
was the Dragons though that stole the momentum
on the stroke of halftime with Trent Barrett
scoring a great individual try to give his
side a 12-4 lead going into the sheds.
The
Dragons extended their lead just 7 minutes
into the second half with Carlaw running onto
a beautifully timed Matthew Head and from
there it was all one way traffic.
Simmonds,
Cooper and Withers all added further tries
as St George-Illawara found gears that hadn’t
been evident in recent weeks as they racked
up 34 points.
The
Storm scored two late consolation tries but
it was all too late as they had lost the match
and have lost their 5th position on the table
to St George-Illawara with the Cowboys still
to play this weekend.
WIN
Stadium
Referee: Sean Hampstead
Video Referee: Graeme West
Touch Judges: Pat Reynolds, Steve Chiddy
Scorers:
DRAGONS 34
Tries: Cooper 2, Barrett, Carlaw, Simmonds,
Withers
Goals: Riddell 3/4, Head 2/2
defeated
STORM 14
Tries: King, Bell, Orford
Goals: Orford 1/3
By
the clock:
0
min: Kick-off in a big Friday night match
as finals places are up for grabs with September
just around the corner.
1st
min: NEWS - Melbourne have been awarded the
first penalty of the match just seconds into
the contest putting them in good field position.
4th
min: TRY - Dragons. St George-Illawara are
instantly successful in their first set with
Head making a break and Cooper backing up
on the inside to score. Riddell converts -
Dragons 6-0.
7th
min: NEWS - The Storm have blown a great opportunity
to hit back with Hoffman slipping over when
all he had to do was pick up the ball and
score.
11th
min: NEWS - It's been good defence from the
Dragons early on in this match as they have
had to withstand several sets on their own
line.
14th
min: NEWS - A great 40/20 from Cameron Smith
gives Melbourne another great attacking opportunity.
16th
min: TRY - Storm. From the scrum Geyer and
MacDougall combined to put Matt King over
in the corner. Orford fails to convert - Dragons
6-4.
21st
min: NEWS - The Dragons have stepped up their
intensity with some amazingly quick play the
balls.
25th
min: NEWS - With game in a holding period
Matt Orford kicks out on the full and puts
his side under pressure.
28th
min: NEWS - A few mistakes are creeping into
both sides game stopping either from stamping
their authority on the contest.
33rd
min: NEWS - The Dragons have had several attacking
chances but mistakes and poor passes have
denied them from adding further points to
their tally.
38th
min: TRY - Dragons. A mistake from Melbourne
put the Dragons on attack and from the following
set Barrett ran at the line and went straight
through to score. Matthew Head converts -
Dragons 12-4.
40th
min: NEWS - Right on half time the Storm put
a kick in behind the line but Slater knocked
on in his attempt to ground the ball.
40th
min: HALF TIME - It hasn't quite been a preview
of finals footy just yet with both teams lacking
execution. The Dragons have played well in
patches but have been sloppy when it counts
while the Storm have had the better of territory
while not being able to do much with it.
Half Time Score: Dragons 12 Storm 4.
41st
min: The second half is underway!
42nd
min: NEWS - The Dragons have been awarded
an early penalty and go straight on attack.
47th
min: TRY - Dragons. After repeat sets the
Dragons finally broke through with head kicking
into the in-goal and Carlaw diving on the
ball to extend their lead. Head converts -
Dragons 18-4.
50th
min: NEWS - The penalty count is Dragons 4
Storm 5.
54th
min: NEWS - The Dragons defence has been great
all night and has stepped up a gear in this
second half.
59th
min: NEWS - Shaun Hampstead manages to get
into the play with the ball reflecting off
his feet and giving the Dragons another set.
61st
min: TRY - Dragons. From the scrum the Dragons
created an overlap and Reece Simmonds dives
over in the corner. Riddell fails to convert
- Dragons 22-4.
63rd
min: TRY - Dragons. It's turning into a red
and white party at WIN Stadium, this time
Mark Riddell make a big break and Cooper backed
up on his outside to stroll under the posts.
Riddell converts the try he set up - Dragons
28-4.
67th
min: NEWS - If St George-Illawara keep this
lead they will move into 5th place ahead of
the Storm.
70th
min: TRY - Dragons. Matthew Head showing an
old head on young shoulders grubbered in behind
the line, re-gathered and sent Lincoln Withers
over. Riddell converts - Dragons 34-4.
75th
min: TRY - Storm. Melbourne get a consolation
try as Bell dives over in the corner. Orford
fails to convert - Dragons 34-8.
79th
min: TRY - Storm. Matt Orford from the scrum
went through the Dragons line untouched to
score under the posts. Orford converts his
own try - Dragons 34-14.
80th
min: FULL TIME - It's been a very impressive
second 40 minutes from the Dragons as they
poured on the tries and had some fun in the
process.
Full Time Score - Dragons 34 Storm 14.
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Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 - M Head (Dragons)
2 - J Ryles (Dragons)
1 - M Cooper (Dragons)
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