The St George Illawarra Dragons have retained the Monty Porter Cup with a solid 16-10 win over the Cronulla Sharks at Southern Cross Group Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The first half was all the Dragons, kicking ahead 2-0 thanks to a penalty goal from skipper Gareth Widdop.
Four minutes later, the Dragons crossed for the game's first try when centre Euan Aitken won the race to a Cameron McInnes grubber.
Another penalty goal in the 32nd minute from Widdop pushed the Dragons ahead 8-0.
They weren't done there in the first 40 as Aitken produced a runaway 60-metre try following an error from opposite centre Ricky Leutele.
The start of the second half saw the Sharks fight their way back into proceedings when veteran back-rower Luke Lewis and winger Edrick Lee scored in the 50th and 57th minute respectively.
Terrific defence from Dragons back-rower Joel Thompson denied Sharks centre Kurt Capewell from scoring midway through the second stanza, while another Widdop penalty goal helped extend the Red V's lead to a converted try.
It proved a lead they'd hold on to by game's end.
St George Illawarra Dragons 16 (Euan Aitken 2 tries; Gareth Widdop 4 goals) defeated Cronulla Sharks 10 (Luke Lewis, Edrick Lee tries; James Maloney goal) at Southern Cross Group Stadium, Woolooware. Half-time: Dragons 14-0. Crowd: 14,247.
