The Dragons were bested by the Roosters 48-28 in their Knock-On Effect NSW Cup meeting at Collegians Sporting Complex on Sunday afternoon.
The clash marked Dylan Egan’s first outing since suffering a torn ACL almost a year ago.
It proved business as usual for the Gerringong junior who nabbed two first-half tries to earn his side a four-point edge.
Egan spent the second half off the field as the Roosters surged towards a comprehensive win against a youthful Dragons outfit.
Match: Dragons v Roosters
Round 8 -
home Team
Dragons
6th Position
away Team
Roosters
3rd Position
Venue: Collegians Sporting Complex, Wollongong
The Roosters drew first blood just eight minutes in with Junior Tupou slipping through several players after scooping up a Dragons grubber and taking off downfield with it.
The Red V found a hit-back moments later with Hame Sele bursting into space up the middle and hitting a supporting Ryan Hutchinson back up the middle to score.
An inspiring carry from skipper Jacob Halangahu saw the Dragons surge right back onto the attack their next opportunity and they made the most of it.
Much to the delight of the local crowd, Egan sliced through a hole off the back of it to dive over down the right-hand corridor and ensure his return would be a memorable one.
Eagle return
The Roosters managed the contest’s next points with Blake Steep crashing over off an inside ball next to the sticks to put the visitors back ahead by two.
The Red V nabbed a crucial try prior to the break with Tyler Peckham-Harris zipping into the backfield and hitting a supporting Egan as the hard-working second-rower went over untouched for his second try of the afternoon.
The second half started in terrific fashion for the Red V with Toby Rumble pouncing on a pinpoint grubber to make it a double-digit game.
The Roosters answered the very next set however after winning it back off the restart with Kanaan Magele crashing over to the right of the sticks.
The visitors hit the front again their next set with Cody Ramsey slipping through on a sweep run and burning the cover back up the middle to slam it down.
The Tricolours were able to extend their lead entering the final quarter of the match with Junior Pauga going over in the left-hand corner off a looping cut-out pass to make it 28-22.
Aston Warwick took in a Toby Rodwell chip kick to go over and push the Roosters out to a double-digit edge with 17 minutes on the clock.
A penalty off the following kick-off put the visitors right back on the attack and their second-half surge continued off it with Reece Foley slicing through to score.
Pauga went over again for the Roosters the next set as the scoreline began to get away from the Red V.
Taylor Losalu scored another for the Roosters to push the scoreline out to 48-22 before David Afu powered his way over for a late Dragons consolation try.
