The St George Illawarra Dragons Junior Representative teams completed their respective regular seasons on Saturday.
The Illawarra Steelers Harold Matthews Cup (U16) and SG Ball (U18) teams both recorded victories over the Balmain Tigers at Leichhardt Oval.
The Steelers Harold Matthews Cup team ended their season on a high with a tight-fought 26-24 win over their hosts.
The team were trailing 14-20 at half-time but stole the match with a final minute try to Josh Dowel, which in turn clinched the win whilst knocking the Tigers out of Top 8 finish.
“It was a very pleasing end to the game and to the season”, said Coach Adam Blake.
“We were actually short on players so we really pulled through and showed some character.”
The Steelers SG Ball team clinched a 28-14 win over the Tigers to finish their campaign second on the table as they enter the Finals Series.
The team trailed 0-14 at half time due to some strong defence by the Tigers but roles reversed come the second stanza as the visitors unleashed their potent attack.
The result saw tries to prop Josh Dowel, winger Dylan Morris, hooker Cooper Purcell and two to five-eighth Tristan Sailor.
Zac Lomax converted three of the tries to produce the winning final score line.
“We started with a lack of intensity in the first half but we played to our full potential in the second,” said Coach Shane Millard.
“I thought we were aggressive in our defence and I am very proud of them for that.”
The St George Dragons Harold Matthews Cup (U16) and SG Ball (U18) teams both recorded losses to the Penrith Panthers at Jubilee Oval, Kogarah.
The Dragons Harold Matthews Cup team needed a win to guarantee themselves a finals berth but they were downed 36-10.
Nonetheless it was another spirited and determined effort by the young Dragons who ended the competition rounds in ninth place, a single point outside the Top 8.
The Dragons SG Ball team were defeated 44-18 despite a hard fought effort at home.
We struggled in the first half today with no field position and very little ball, and we could not contain the bigger Panthers team,” said Coach Brad Liggins.
“To our boys’ credit they came out in the second half and had a real dig to finish with three tries."
