Dragons find some lost form
Written by: Tim Sainsbury
20/08/2006

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Round 24
St George Illawarra Dragons 46 v Wests Tigers 16
at Oki Jubilee Stadium Kogarah
Referee: Shayne Hayne

Match Summary:
The St George Illawarra Dragons have run in nine tries to three to defeat the Wests Tigers 46-16 at OKI Jubilee Stadium today.

The Dragons came out on fire and they opened the scoring in the second minute when Dean Young slipped a nice ball to a flying Matt Bickerstaff to give the Dragons a 6-0 lead. They soon extended that lead in the sixth minute to 10-0 when Wes Naiqama scored from a bomb.

The Dragons then put on two more quick tries through Mark Gasnier in the 15th and 18th minute. The Tigers managed to get on the board with a Chris Heighington try and they trailed by 20-4 at the break.

The Dragons would quickly put the match out of reach for the Tigers. Seemingly scoring at will, the Dragons led 46-4 after 66 minutes, putting on the first of five tries of the second half. To the Tigers credit they were able to get two late consolation tries to make the final score 46-16.

The Dragons forwards really stood up today and laid the platform for the backs to dominate with Gasnier picking up three tries and Morris two. Jason Ryles, Mark Gasnier, Trent Barrett, Ben Hornby, Dean Young and Matt Bickerstaff all had strong games and they will be hoping to hold onto this form heading into the oncoming weeks.

Scorers:
St George Illawarra Dragons: 46
Tries: Mark Gasnier (3), Aaron Gorrell, Clint Greenshields, Wes Naiqama, Matthew Bickerstaff, Brett Morris (2)
Goals: Aaron Gorrell 3/5, Wes Naiqama 2/4
Wests Tigers: 16
Tries: Robert Farah, Chris Heighington, Chris Lawrence
Goals: Scott Prince 2/3

By the Clock:
A beautiful day here at OKI Jubilee Stadium for this clash between the Dragons and the Tigers.
The Dragons will be looking to get their season back on track today after 5 consecutive losses and they will need to, to stay in touch with the other teams fighting for spots in the 8.
The Tigers will be smarting after their contraversial loss in extra time to the Raiders last week and even though they are out of finals contention they will be out to show why they are the reigning premiers.

1 min: Dragons kickoff..

2 min: TRY St George Illawarra Dragons
On the back of a Tigers error the Dragons make them pay when Dean Young slips a nice ball to a flying Matthew Bickerstaff to score. Conversion successful
Dragons 6-0

6 min: TRY St George Illawarra Dragons
The Dragons score again this time from the bomb for Naiqama to score out wide. Just the start the Dragons needed. Conversion unsuccessful
Dragons 10-0

14 min: The Tigers are under lots of pressure, they will have to defend again from the goal line drop out.

15 min: TRY St George Illawarra Dragons
The Dragons are carving the Tigers up here as Mark Gasnier goes through the defence to score. Conversion unsuccessful
Dragons 14-0

18 min: TRY St George Illawarra Dragons
Gasnier bags a double going through some poor defence. The Dragons are on fire and have had all the ball. Conversion successful
Dragons 20-0

24 min: NEWS Off to the video ref for a possible Tigers try.

24 min: TRY Wests Tigers
The Tigers finally get the ball in their opponents territory and they put up a bomb and Heighington is able to get the ball down right in the corner. Conversion unsuccessful
Dragons 20-4

33 min: NEWS Scott Prince comes up with a 40/20.

40 min: ATTEMPTED FIELD GOAL St George Illawarra Dragons
Barrett has a shot at field goal right on halftime but it just misses.
Dragons 20-4

Halftime...

41 min: Tigers kickoff to get the second half underway

46 min: TRY St George Illawarra Dragons
Jason Ryles breaks through the defence and he gives it to Greenshields who scores next to the post.
Dragons 26-4

51 min: NEWS Barrett slips a great pass to Morris and he drops the ball with the line open.

53 min: TRY St George Illawarra Dragons
This time Morris hangs onto the pass and he scores in the corner. Conversion unsuccessful.
Dragons 30-4

56 min: TRY St George Illawarra Dragons
The Dragons go the length of the field from a break from Hornby and Gasnier finishes it off to bag a hatrick. Conversion unsuccessful.
Dragons 34-4

60 min: TRY St George Illawarra Dragons
It's raining tries for the Dragons now as Barrett goes through the gap and he finds Gorrell who shows good pace to score. Conversion successful.
Dragons 40-4

66 min: TRY St George Illawarra Dragons
The Dragons score a great try through Brett Morris to get their season back on track. Conversion successful.
Dragons 46-4

71 min: TRY Wests Tigers
The Tigers get a consolation try, when Lawrence picks up a Prince grubber to score in the corner. Conversion successful.
Dragons 46-10

79 min: TRY Wests Tigers
Farah scoots out of dummy half from close range to put a little bit of respectability back into the scoreline. Conversion successful
Dragons 46-16

Fulltime...
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Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 - Jason Ryles (Dragons)
2 - Mark Gasnier (Dragons)
1 - Trent Barrett (Dragons)
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