Young Dragons Dig Deep For Win

The St George Illawarra Dragons National Youth Competition team secured a 28-16 win over the South Sydney Rabbitohs at ANZ Stadium, Olympic Park on Saturday.

The Red-and-Whites notched five tries en route to the victory with Kayne Brennan managed a two-try brace.

Head Coach Justin Holbrook stood by his line-up announced midweek and had hoped to build off the comprehensive 44-12 victory over the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks last round.

Dragons winger Kayne Brennan had been sidelined in recent weeks but needed only eight minutes to get his name on the scoresheet.

The S.G. Ball graduate had been the beneficiary of some quick passing out to the right which allowed the flanker to dash and slide over the stripe.

The home side however replied through second-rower Brett Jarrett, a late addition to the squad, in the 19th minute courtesy of a barge and charge of his own through the Dragons’ forward pack.

Rabbitohs five-eighth Dylan Walker was on strike to make it 6-4 in the hosts’ favour.

However the visitors continued pressing and took the lead through the quick thinking of five-eighth Todd Ryan near the centre sticks in the 22nd minute.

Dragons second-rower Daniel Burke converted from the tee to make it 10-6.

Yet the Rabbitohs struck back to equalise on the half hour mark courtesy of hooker Cameron McInnes.

Walker was again on hand for the extras to make it 12-10.

Holbrook’s stalwarts were the more energised of the two outfits following the interval and struck thrice unanswered.

Dragons prop Luke Gallaher, who began the clash on the bench, scored the first four-pointer adjacent to the left post in the 53rd before fullback Adam Quinlan followed suit seven minutes later.

Winger Kayne Brennan was on hand to bag his second of the confrontation in the 64th minute after an unchallenged run through the centre field.

Burke was successful in two of his three ventures to make it 26-12.

Rabbitohs centre Nick Hedley managed a consolatory try for the home side in the 72nd minute but it was all for naught after the hosts were penalised for a high-hit on Burke.

The second-rower replied with a two-pointer to make the scoreboard read 28-16.

Unfortunately, the game was marred near the end with the sending off of both Dragons hooker Craig Garvey and Rabbitohs centre Jordan Tongahai.

Despite the depleted personnel the Red-and-Whites held on come full time to secure a further two valuable competition points.

Dragons 28 defeated Rabbitohs 16.

Dragons: 28. Tries:Brennan (2), Ryan, Gallagher, Quinlan. Goals: Burke (3/5). Penalty Goal: Burke (1/1).

Rabbitohs: 12. Tries: Jarrett, McInnes, Hedley. Goals:Walker (2/3).