The St-George Illawarra Dragons have claimed a comfortable 24-16 over the Newcastle Knights in Newcastle tonight.

The Dragons led 14-0 at half time and held out a Knights comeback in the second half.

The Dragons scored their first try through Chase Stanley, it did appear as though he had lost control of the ball, although it was given through benefit of the doubt.

The Dragons held out a Knights attacking raid and then scored an 80 metre try through the Morris brothers on the stroke of halftime.

It only took four minutes after halftime for the Dragons to put the match to bed, Jamie Soward scoring a fine individual try for a 20-0 lead, and Jason Ryles crossed nine minutes later to put the Dragons up 24-0.

The Knights struck back with two tries to Junior Sau to set up a mildly tense final 10 minutes, but could only score on fulltime for the 24-16 final scoreline.

Match Details
St George Illawarra Dragons 24 def Newcastle Knights 16
Round 17 - Saturday July 5th, 2008 7:30pm
Venue: EnergyAustralia Stadium
Referee: Sean Hampstead
Half time: Dragons 14-0
Crowd: 22,348

Newcastle Knights 16
Tries: Junior Sau (2), Kurt Gidley
Goals: Kurt Gidley (2/3)
St George Illawarra Dragons 24
Tries: Chase Stanley, Josh Morris, Jamie Soward, Jason Ryles
Goals: Jamie Soward (4/5)

LeagueUnlimited.com Player of the Match
3 Points: Jamie Soward (Dragons)
2 Points: Ben Hornby (Dragons)
1 Point: Jason Ryles (Dragons)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary
Touch Judges: Alan Shortall, Jeff Younis
Video Referee: Phil Cooley

KNIGHTS: 1. Kurt Gidley 2. James McManus 3. Wes Naiqama 4. Adam MacDougall 5. Cooper Vuna 6. Chris Bailey 7. Jarrod Mullen 8. Steve Simpson 9. Danny Buderus (c) 10. Jesse Royal 11. Chris Houston 12. Cory Paterson 13. Zeb Taia
Interchange: 14. Scott Dureau 15. Ben Cross 16. Richard Fa’aoso 17. Danny Wicks
DRAGONS: 1. Brett Morris 2. Jason Nightingale 3. Josh Morris 4. Matt Cooper 5. Wendell Sailor 6. Jamie Soward 7. Ben Hornby 8. Justin Poore 9. Dean Young 10. Jason Ryles 11. Beau Scott 12. Chase Stanley 13. Lagi Setu
Interchange: 14. Kirk Reynoldson 15. Dan Hunt 16. Jarrod Saffy 17. Rangi Chase; Reserves: 18. Michael Lett 19. Matt Prior

Both teams taking to the field now.

1 min: Underway!

3 min: Dragons move into the Knights half off a penalty.

4 min: Vuna defuses a bomb and ends up injured after an accidental hit to the face.

9 min: Nightingale is held up.

9 min: VIDEO REF - For a Dragons try...

10 min: NO TRY - Dragons are offside.

12 min: Nightingale takes the ball on the full in the in-goal, holding the Knights out. The Dragons get a penalty to assist them out of their end.

14 min: PENALTY GOAL St George Illawarra Dragons
Another penalty and Soward puts first points on the board.
St George Illawarra Dragons 2-0

16 min: Great chase from the Dragons gains them a line drop out.

18 min: Dragons get another drop out.

19 min: Dragons throw the ball over the sideline.

20 min: Knights on attack off a penalty.

25 min: Reynoldson breaks through but falls short of the line. Dragons get a penalty.

25 min: VIDEO REF - For a Dragons try...

26 min: TRY St George Illawarra Dragons
Stanley catches a great offload and scores. Evidence suggests he lost control of the ball, but it is awarded through benefit of the doubt. Conversion attempt by Jamie Soward successful.
St George Illawarra Dragons 8-0

29 min: Sailor is tackled in the air and another Knights raid ends with a penalty.

30 min: Dragons back on attack after another penalty, for a high tackle. 7-3 the penalty count in favour of the Dragons.

34 min: The Knights put in a cross field kick, Sailor takes it and sets off, only for Mullen to come across with a great covering tackle forcing him into touch.

39 min: TRY St George Illawarra Dragons
The Dragons come up with an 80 metre special, Brett Morris makes a break and passes to Josh Morris who scores. Conversion attempt by Jamie Soward successful.
St George Illawarra Dragons 14-0

HALFTIME: The Dragons go in deserved 14-0 leaders.

40 min: Back underway in Newcastle!

42 min: Dragons get a scrum on attack after Vuna spills a kick.

44 min: TRY St George Illawarra Dragons
Soward steps and runs right through the Knights defence to score under the posts. Conversion attempt by Jamie Soward successful.
St George Illawarra Dragons 20-0

51 min: A possible Knights breakout is called back for a questionable forward pass.

53 min: TRY St George Illawarra Dragons
Very average defence from the Knights, Ryles pushes over and is nearly held up, but is left free to spin and score. Conversion attempt by Jamie Soward unsuccessful.
St George Illawarra Dragons 24-0

57 min: TRY Newcastle Knights
The Knights get one back, moving the ball left on the last sees them run in a try. Conversion attempt by Kurt Gidley successful.
St George Illawarra Dragons 24-6

60 min: Brilliant play by the Knights, nearly score down the left side and just get held out on the right. The Dragons turn the ball over putting the Knights back on attack.

62 min: TRY Newcastle Knights
The Knights are in again. From the scrum MacDougall sets up Sau to score in the corner. Conversion attempt by Kurt Gidley unsuccessful.
St George Illawarra Dragons 24-10

66 min: A Knights try is ruled out by a forward pass.

68 min: Knights on attack off a penalty.

69 min: Knights knock on in the play the ball. Justice, as they lost the ball several plays earlier but was bizarrely called play on.

80 min: TRY Newcastle Knights
Gidley gets the final say in the game, dotting down under the posts. Conversion attempt by Kurt Gidley successful.
St George Illawarra Dragons 24-16