The St George Illawarra Dragons were defeated 50-14 by the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium, Moore Park on Saturday.
The Young Dragons scored thrice in the defeat courtesy Jacob Host, Luciano Leilua and Bessie Aufarag-Toomaga.
Head Coach Ben Hornby opted to make only the one change to the line-up announced midweek with five-eighth Drew Hutchison starting in lieu of Thomas Freebairn who reverted to the interchange bench.
This shift in personnel meant utility Nathan Leatigaga was omitted from the team.
The Young Dragons entered the encounter in search of igniting an ailing campaign which had seen them notch only one win from their first seven outings.
Unfortunately, the Roosters compiled further woes by inflicting two unanswered converted tries in the opening twenty minutes of the first stanza.
Roosters centre Joseph Manu was the first across the stripe in the 15th minute of play before five-eighth Connor Watson followed suit four minutes later.
Roosters halfback Jackson Hastings converted both attempts to make it 12-0.
However, the visitors rallied to claw the deficit back to eight points when second-rower Jacob Host charged over the line in the 24th minute.
Dragons winger Bessie Toomaga-Aufaga converted to make it 12-6.
The momentum was short lived however with the home side edging further ahead once more off the back of Watson’s second of the match.
Hastings converted again to make it 18-6.
The Dragons though managed to score a second four-pointer when prop Luciano Leilua etched his name on the score sheet six minutes from the interval.
The visitors started where they left off with a quick try to Augaga-Toomaga down the left flank just after the interval.
However, the Roosters regained composure to mount a counter attack and score through prop Richard Skelton moments later.
Hastings converted to make it 24-14.
The home side continued their attacking prowess to inflict a further three tries on the visitors, courtesy of Milne, Watson and winger Johnny Tuivasa-Sheck, prior to the hour mark.
Hastings converted two of his three attempts at the tee to make it 40-14.
The visitors continued haemorrhaging points and succumbed to Roosters fullback Latrell Mitchell’s darting run to the tryline in the 64th minute.
Hastings converted to make it 46-14.
The Roosters notched one final try through Watson to make it 50-14.
St George Illawarra Dragons 14. Tries: Host, Leilua, Aufaga-Toomaga. Goals: Aufaga-Toomaga (1/3).
Sydney Roosters 50. Tries: Watson (4), Manu, Skelton, Milne, Tuivasa-Sheck, MItchell. Goals: Hastings (7/9).
