The St George Illawarra Dragons National Youth Competition team were defeated 36-12 by the New Zealand Warriors at Kogarah on Saturday.
The Young Dragons scored only the three tries in the loss with all the spoils going to centre Euan Aitken.
Co-Head Coaches Ben Hornby and Dean Young was forced to reshuffle their line-up following the two game suspension of second-rower Jack Bird with Luciano Leilua elevated to the run-on side.
This gifted prop Jay Gallagher his first hit-out of the season after filling the void on the interchange.
The Warriors started the scoring with a try to prop Sam Lisone in the fifth minute, which was easily converted by playmaker Mason Lino.
The visitors struck again in the 15th minutes with a try to winger Lapu Feagaiga who made it 10-nil.
The Warriors notched another four-pointer five minutes later after second-rower Michael Ki crossed the stripe.
Warriors halfback Lino was the next to score on the half hour mark and converted to increase the lead to 20-nil.
Warriors winger Tomas Patelesio later scored after a late decision from the video referee confirmed the flanker was not brought into touch.
With two minutes remaining, the Dragons finally crossed the stripe to through centre Euan Aitken, who slipped past several defenders to find the line and make it 24-4.
The hosts were the first to score in the second half, with another four-pointer to Aitken in the 55th minute.
The right-side centre successfully finished-off his trifecta of tries with 11 minutes remaining on the clock to make it 24-12.
Unfortunately, the Warriors responded and managed to further their lead with six minutes on the clock again through Lino, who once more converted his own try to make it 30-12.
The visitors scored one more through playmaker Mafoa’aeata Hinganom who collected a grubber from Lino.
Lino converted to make it 36-12.
New Zealand Warriors 36 defeated the St George Illawarra Dragons 12
St George Illawarra Dragons: 12. Tries: Aitken (3). Goals: McCrae (0/1), Moceidreke (0/2).
New Zealand Warriors: 36. Tries: Lino (2), Lisone, Feagaiga, Ki, Aoake, Hingo. Goals: Lino (3/7).
