Knock-On Effect NSW Cup: Dragons punch Grand Final ticket

The contest began with a strong back and forth period between the two sides which was broken by a Warriors penalty in the 8th minute, giving the Dragons their best attacking opportunity up to that point.

The Dragons nabbed the first points of the game as a brilliant shift down the right side saw centre Nick Tsougranis throw an incredible flick pass back into his winger Mathew Feagai who scored to make it 4-0 in the 9th minute.

They continued to pile on the pressure against the minor premiers with a Jonah Glover bomb forcing an error in New Zealand’s red zone. 

The Dragons capitalised once again on the right side as Feagai swan dove into the corner to claim his second try of the afternoon

Glover converted from the right touchline to increase their lead to 10 in the 13th minute.

Warriors prop Bunty Afoa was placed on report in the 21st minute for a late tackle on Jett Liu, as the Dragons continued to pepper the opposition’s tryline.

A third Dragons try was denied by the referee after a Cody Ramsey cutout pass to winger Jesse Williams was deemed forward.

The fullback made up for his error as he stopped a potential Warriors try by taking out half Luke Hanson who made a break down the right touchline.

Loko Pasifiki Tonga was taken from the field in the 28th minute after suffering a lower leg injury during a tackle.

Repeated sets on the Dragons line allowed for centre Moala Graham-Taufa to steam through and score a much needed first try for New Zealand.

Neither side were able to capitalise on a bit of hot potato action in the final minute as the Dragons entered the sheds with a four point advantage.

The Warriors came out of the half-time break in second gear as their attack began to run smoother but their efforts were held off by the Dragons’ strong defence.

Jacob Halangahu broke open the second half arm wrestling period in the 52nd minute with a barnstorming run over three Warriors defenders as Glover converted to retake a 10-point lead. 

The Dragons struggled to put the final nail in the coffin after a number of great attacking chances on the Warriors’ line.

A break in Dragons’ territory from dummy-half Makaia Tafua gave way for the Warriors to shift right on the last tackle to send centre Morgan Harper over and cut the lead to six in the 65th minute. 

An error of the kickoff by the Warriors pushed the Dragons back into attacking position but another costly error bailed New Zealand out.

Liu was taken from the field in the 71st minute for a HIA after a head clash with Makaia Tafua.

Lachlan Ilias was awarded a penalty in the 77th minute after being taken off the ball in Warriors’ territory giving Glover a conversion to take an eight point advantage. 

An incredible leap from Jesse Williams off the short kick-off put an end to the Warriors’ last ditch efforts.

Cody Ramsey dealt the final blow to the Warriors with a remarkable individual effort slicing through the defence to score as the Dragons left Leichhardt Oval with a remarkable 14-point victory and a Grand Final berth.