The Dragons were able to extend their Knock-On Effect NSW Cup winning streak to four games coming from behind to down the Bears 28-18 at North Sydney Oval on Sunday afternoon.
The afternoon belonged to Dragons winger Ben Rumble who nabbed his third hat-trick of the season to bring his yearly try tally to 10 from just seven appearances.
The Bears jumped out to a 12-4 lead late in the opening stanza as they looked to replicate the upset win they notched over the Red V earlier in the season before Rumble and co. took charge.
The clash also marked Dragons veteran Ben Murdoch-Masila’s first outing since suffering a Lisfranc injury in Round 21 last year capping off a long and challenging rehab journey for the Tongan international.
Match: Bears v Dragons
Round 11 -
home Team
Bears
9th Position
away Team
Dragons
2nd Position
Venue: North Sydney Oval, Sydney
The afternoon started in ideal fashion for North Sydney who scored first through a hard-running Matt Stimson with Harradyn Wilson adding the extras to make it 6-0.
The Dragons were able to answer through Hayden Buchanan who showcased his rapid speed off the mark to finish off of a textbook left-edge shift with Norths stripped for numbers as Cody Ramsey threw the final pass.
Bronson Garlick found the Bears’ second through a shrewd short side play which caught the visitors napping as their advantage grew out to eight heading into half-time.
Rumble found a try for the Red V early in the second forty off a spilt Jonah Glover bomb which Nick Tsougranis did well to keep alive.
A superb Cody Ramsey cut-out laid on a second for Rumble just moments later as the Dragons hit the lead for the first time.
Glover’s conversion cannoned off the left upright and over to make it a 16-12 Dragons advantage.
The Dragons’ defensive line was tested off it, but Willie Talau’s men held their nerve to force a needed error and wrestle back possession.
Teenage back rower Jacob Halangahu was relentless with his kick chase throughout the afternoon and managed to force an error to earn his side another attacking opportunity.
The visitors took full advantage of it with Ramsey using his pace to create room down the right flank and hitting Rumble who dove over in the corner for his third as the lead ballooned out to double figures.
The Bears found a way to stay in it however with Ben Talty pouncing on a deft grubber which had ricocheted off the sticks to bring it back to 22-18.
Knock-On Effect NSW Cup Highlights: Round 11 v Bears
Rumble showed his impact without the ball as well producing a strong tackle on Garlick to force a late error.
It laid the platform for Ramsey and Tsougranis – who did well to reel the ball in – to combine for a match-sealing try with the powerful centre producing a superb swan dive as the seconds ticked away.
The four-pointer marked Tsougranis’ fifth from his past six and extended his try-scoring streak to four-consecutive matches – all of which resulting in wins.
