A powerful performance by the Dragons at Jubilee Oval saw them run out big 44-6 winners over the Raiders NYC team.
Injuries continue to cruel the Raiders NYC team in 2016, with several late changes needing to be made to the team before the game. Ron Leapai and Sebestian Kris both made their debuts for the team, while Zac Woolford returned to the team after missing the previous round with a shoulder injury.
A smart set play from a scrum saw the Dragons get the first points off the game. Slick passes from left to right gave Patrick Herbert heaps of room to cross easily near the right corner. The first conversion by Jai Field missed to the right.
Nearing the halfway point of the first half the Dragons struck again. Jacob Essau powered over the Raiders defence from 15 metres out and managed to beat Raiders fullback, Harry Van Dartel, in the one-on-one near the tryline. A successful conversion by Field from in front of the posts saw the Dragons take a 10-0 lead.
Moments later, in an almost exact repeat of the play that led to the Dragons first try, the Raiders fumbled the Dragons high bomb deep inside their own half. On the resulting play the Dragons spread it to the left and a flying Paora Kemp found space in the corner to grab the Dragons third.
Using a high kick to their advantage this time, Jack Hickson put up a high bomb near halfway. The Dragons defence hesitated and it was enough for a charging Kris to gather and put in a smart pass back to Hickson to score. Woolford, having come onto the field after starting on the bench, slotted the conversion to get the Raiders back into the game 14-6 down.
Despite a few late attacking raids by the Dragons it looked like the scores would remain at 14-6 going into the break. Having terrorised the Raiders on the right edge for the whole first half, it was fitting that it was Herbert who squeaked in with seconds remaining in the half to get his second try. With Field converting the Dragons extended their lead to 20-6 at the break.
Herbert started the second half as he ended the first, finishing off a dash by Field up the right edge to score and complete his hat trick. It was a bitter blow for the Raiders who had started the second half with a strong attack that was unlucky not to yield points. The Dragons attack continued to fire on the edges, with Kemp next to score and complete his double.
A tiring Raiders outfit were no match for the Dragons in the final 20 minutes. Late tries to Matt Dufty and Luciano Leilua sealed the comprehensive 44-6 victory.
The Raiders NYC team will now have to prepare for their longest road-trip of the year in Round 11, a gruelling journey to New Plymouth to take on the New Zealand Warriors.
St George Illawarra Dragons 44 (Herbert 3, Essau, , Duft, Kemp 2, Leilua, Field 5/7) defeated Canberra Raiders 6 (Hickson, Woolford 1/1)
