Match Report: NRL Round 21 vs Dragons

After entering the half-time break ahead by two points, a sole Dragons try was enough for the Red V to pick up the victory in Wollongong.

Wests Tigers started fast on Thursday night after Tommy Talau picked up a wayward pass and put Junior Tupou into space.

The young winger still had plenty of work to do, as he beat two Dragons defenders to post the first points of the match.

The home side hit back through Tyrell Sloan, with a slick offload from five-eighth Talatau Amone putting the Dragons fullback over under the posts.

Ben Hunt’s neat chip kick to Zac Lomax extended the St. George Illawarra lead shortly after.

After a 32nd minute professional foul from Sloan had the Dragons playing with 12 men for the remainder of the first half, Wests Tigers capitalised with Tupou strolling over for a second.

The young winger helped orchestrate the visitors’ next try too, with his kick sending newly re-signed skipper Api Koroisau on his way to the try-line and giving Wests Tigers a 14-12 half-time lead.

In a tough and gritty second half Wests Tigers repelled the Dragons on several occasions before the deadlock was finally broken when Zac Lomax’s slick flick pass set up Mikaele Ravalawa for the match-winning try. 

The visitors tried desperately to bag a late try in the final 15 minutes of the match but the Dragons defence held firm to secure an 18-14 win in Round 21.

Next up is a trip to Tamworth next Friday to face South Sydney at Scully Park.