Match Report: Pre-season Challenge vs Dragons

Ben Hunt secured the first try of the evening after he rose above Aidan Sezer to gather a cross-field kick from Kyle Flanagan.

The Dragons found themselves back on the attack immediately after the ensuing kick-off was sent out on the full.

Moses Suli took full advantage to score the visitor’s second before Mikaele Ravalawa further extended the lead with a barnstorming run to the line.

Ben Hunt then completed his first half double with an intelligent grubber kick.

Down by four tries, Jahream Bula took it upon himself to spark his side to life with a sensational solo effort.

The 2023 Kelly-Barnes Medal winner received the ball from Lachlan Galvin and turned Tyrell Sloan inside-out with a weaving run.

After the break, Shane Flanagan’s side wasted little time in extending their lead with a try to Zac Lomax in the 44th minute.

Jayden Sullivan cut into the deficit by taking advantage of a quick play-the-ball to set up Fonua Pole for a four-pointer underneath the posts.

However, any thoughts of a comeback were quickly quashed as Raymond Faitala-Mariner sent Tyrell Sloan through for the Dragons’ sixth try of the night.

Wests Tigers young gun Heath Mason charged over for a late consolation try, following on from his solid performance last weekend in Christchurch.

With the bye in Round 1, Benji Marshall’s side will now have three weeks to tune up before they travel to Canberra for their first match of the 2024 NRL season.