Knock-On Effect NSW Cup: Dragons grind out Round 1 victory

An error in the opening set of the match handed the Dragons an early opportunity and they obliged with Kade Reed wearing a shot as he sent a nice pass the way of Mathew Feagai who stepped and shoved his way to the line.

Reed left the field following the hit bringing former-Bulldog Joseph O’Neill into the action.

Tyrell Sloan stepped up to add the extras and make it 6-0.

Jacob Webster left the field for a HIA – which he passed – 15 minutes in as Willie Talau was again forced to lean on his substitutes with Ryan Hutchinson called up.

An Alex Conti 40/20 gave the Bulldogs an attacking chance a quarter of the way in but the visitors’ line held string to force an error and earn possession back.

Canterbury managed a response just shy of the break with Jonathan Sua scurrying his way over in the left corner after having been camped in good ball for an extended period.

Sloan pulled off a remarkable chasedown effort in the early stages of the second half to keep his side on top.

The Dragons found a key four-pointer 15 minutes into the second half with Lyhkan King-Togia laying on a perfect grubber for a chasing Nick Tsougranis to extend the lead out to 10-4.

The Bulldogs manufactured a response soon after with Sua picking off a Dragons cut-out against the run of play and streaking away untouched to dive over under the sticks and lock things up.

Isaiah Fagalilo went within inches of answering for the Red V out of dummy-half only to be ruled held up.

It was Jacob Halangahu who propelled the Dragons back into the lead with the teenager spotting room behind the ruck and determinedly surging his way over to make it 14-10.

Blake Lawrie was held up over the line with just three minutes on the clock as the Dragons eyed a match-sealing four-pointer.

Canterbury threatened to steal it in the dying stages only for Hayden Buchanan to track off a manage a crucial intercept.