Jersey Flegg: Dragons, Wests Tigers play out hard-fought draw

The clash got off to a chaotic sort of start with Kade Reed forcing an error off his opening kick of the match to earn the Red V an attacking opportunity.

Wests Tigers centre Max Taotua scooped up an awry Dragons pass to shoot off downfield only to be rounded up by Jesse Williams.

The visitors swung the ball left the following play but some desperate Dragons scramble saw their raid held off.

Reed’s boot again produced a result for the hosts moments later with the craft No.7 laying one on a dime for a chasing Tobias Miller for first points.

Reed converted the try he helped set up to make it 6-0 the way of the Red V.

The Wests Tigers took advantage of a Dragons error down the other end of the field to score through Faaletino Tavana who manufactured an athletic dive in the right corner to cut the deficit back to 6-4.

The Dragons went back to the well which had served them so successfully in recent times to hit back – Reed kicking high for a chasing Lyric Craft-Te Moananui.

The Dragons centre skied above his opposite and fashioned a pass inches off the ground to a supporting Miller who dove over for his second.

A crusher tackle penalty sent the Dragons right back into the attack their next set with David Afu producing a thundering carry to surge into space down the left-hand corridor and handing it off to Williams to finish things off.

The hosts forced a Wests Tigers error soon after as Miller’s sensational day continued with the back rower showing off some footwork on an angled run and hitting Jarrah Treweek with a perfect offload to score and make it 22-4.

The visitors came up with a needed response through Solomone Saukuru off a bungled kick refusal shortly after to cut the lead back to a dozen a little shy of the half-hour mark.

Iverson Matai was placed on report for a crusher tackle prior to half-time gifting the Dragons another opportunity in Wests Tigers territory.

The Red V ventured right and were rewarded with Tyler Peckham-Harris throwing a pinpoint cut-out to winger Toby Rumble who did well to finish in the corner and make it 28-10.

Will Craig scored for the visitors just shy of the break in similar fashion to their previous try with Saukuru scoring up a spilt kick and moving it into his winger to make it a 14-point game.

The second forty started in perfect fashion for the visitors with Saukuru crashing over for his second to bring it back to 28-20.

They went back-to-back their next set with Shaquille Tavita powering his way over off a Heith Pritchard break as the contest roared back to life.

Dragons prop Ryan Hutchinson was placed on report for a dangerous tackle off the corresponding kick-off as the Wests Tigers’ wave of momentum to start the second half persisted.

The Dragons were able to hold off a wave of Wests Tigers attack with Williams picking up a dropped ball and racing off downfield only to be dragged down short of the stripe.

The ball made its way out to Rumble the following play however with the winner strolling over untouched for his second as the lead grew back out to double digits.

Brenden Naicori went close to responding for the visitors entering the final 10 minutes but was denied due to a forward pass.

Several poor Dragons errors kept the Wests Tigers in the contest with fullback Logan Deininger crossing off a sweep play with a little over six minutes on the clock to cut the hosts’ edge back to 34-28.

The visitors were able to tie things up at 34-apiece with two minutes to play courtesy of Jeremiah Leatigaga who pounced on deft grubber.

Both sides had late shots to try and snatch victory but were unable to be separated in what proved a heart-stopping encounter.