Dragons Lower Grades Wrap: Round 5

Ben Woolf's men suffered a heartbreaking 30-24 loss to the Knights in torrential conditions at McDonald Jones Stadium on Friday evening.

It was all the hosts in the early goings with the Dragons conceding the opening three tries to trail 16-0 just 27 minutes in.

Soon after, a storming Alec Tuitavake charged his way through the Knights defence to crash over under sticks for his second try in as many weeks to get the visitors on the board.

The Dragons' Tuitavake-led surge continued with the barnstorming prop finding No.14 Haele Finau with a well-timed offload for the side's second on the stroke of halftime to cut the deficit to four.

The Red V's momentum continued into the second stanza with Finau finding his way over for a second out of dummy-half to give the side their first lead.

The Knights found a handy response through fullback Fletcher Sharpe who was the beneficiary of his own kick to wrestle the lead back.

A brilliant, soccer-esque effort courtesy of halfback Jonah Glover put the Dragons back ahead 24-22 on the other side of the hour mark before a Knights penalty goal tied things up heading into the final 10.

Knights winger David Armstrong nabbed the game-winner for the hosts in the final minutes to secure a 30-24 win.

JERSEY FLEGG CUP

The Dragons Jersey Flegg Cup squad continued their strong start to the season overcoming the Knights 30-16 in the Hunter on Saturday.

Winger Khye Russell got the Red V on the board just 12 minutes in before No.1 Ben Rumble continued his try-scoring exploits minutes later to extend the side's lead.

An impressive Cain Barnes double saw the visitors leap out to a 22-4 lead heading into the sheds.

Knights No.14 Harry Reid drew first blood for the hosts in the second half before the Dragons managed to hit back through Rumble's second.

Rumble has now crossed for eight tries from just three outings to kick off his 2024 campaign after spending the preseason training with the club's NRL squad.

Knights centre Jayden Harris crossed to keep the hosts in it entering the final 10 minutes, but the Red V held firm with second rower Jack Quine finding his way over the stripe late to seal a 30-16 win for Aaron Hertsch's squad.