The St George Illawarra Dragons finished their campaign with a 14-10 victory over the Melbourne Storm in the Dick Smith NRL Auckland Nines at Eden Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Dragons started strongly when Brett Morris pounced on a kick from Adam Quinlan to cross in the corner in the second minute. Dragons Fullback Josh Dugan created a chance for himself four minutes later when he put a kick through and re-gathered to score adjacent to the uprights.
The Red and Whites looked set to score again right on half-time with Charly Runciman on debut getting just metres short of the line as the half-time siren sounded. Runciman popped the ball but there was no Dragons trailing him and the ball was gathered by the Storm who worked their way downfield with Mitch Garbutt finishing the move and Sisa Waqa converted to reduce the deficit to just two points at the break, 8-6.
The Storm scored first in the second half through Mahe Fonua to put the Storm in the lead 10-8 with six minutes to play.
A clever short side play from hooker Craig Garvey put Winger Brett Morris away for his fourth try of the tournament which was converted by Dugan to put the Dragons ahead 14-10 and the team held on for the four point victory.
The Dragons next match will be the Charity Shield in Wollongong next Saturday night against the Rabbitohs at WIN Stadium.
<b/>Dragons 14 Tries:</b> Morris 2, Dugan <b/>Goals:</b> Dugan
<b/>Storm 10 Tries:</b> Garbutt, Fonua <b/>Goals:</b> Waqa
<a href="http://www.dragons.com.au/news-display/90532">Click to hear from Nines Captain Brett Morris after the match against the Storm</a>
<a href="http://www.dragons.com.au/news-display/90485">Click to see the full Match Report and Match Highlights from Game One V Rabbitohs</a>
<a href="http://www.dragons.com.au/news-display/90499">Click to see the full match report and game highlights from the clash against the Panthers</a>
