The Dragons were able to put a disappointing season opener behind them to thwart the Eels 22-8 at WIN Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Nathan Cross’ squad proved that plenty can change in a week with veterans Brooke Anderson – who started the game in the hooking role – and Hannah Southwell leading the way to help the Red V to a maiden victory.
“I’m feeling great,” Cross said post-game.
“I’m just so happy for the girls because they’ve been working so hard. I challenged the girls around competing really hard and bringing that effort. Brooke was great driving that with the girls through the playing group. We’re just pleased to get a bit of reward for effort.”
The Dragons outran the Eels and completed at over 80 per cent, but it was the energy in the opening exchanges which resulted in a quick three tries and paved the way for the win.
Match: Dragons v Eels
Round 2 -
home Team
Dragons
7th Position
away Team
Eels
10th Position
Venue: WIN Stadium, Wollongong
The Dragons got off to a dream start with Ruby-Jean Kennard-Ellis – against her former-club – going over virtually untouched under the sticks less than five minutes in off a peach of a face ball from Anderson to nab her maiden NRLW try.
A yardage penalty the very next set handed Anderson an opportunity at a quick tap and she took full advantage putting Teagan Berry through a yawning gap.
Berry had plenty to do; she turned State of Origin teammate Abbi Church around before burning a pair of Eels chasers to dive over and make it a double-digit difference.
The hosts’ continued their sizzling start soon after with Kasey Reh weighting a grubber for a chasing Ella Koster who got the ball to ground just shy of the dead ball line to extend the lead out to 16-0 just nine minutes into the encounter.
After wrestling back some of the ascendancy, Parramatta found a needed hit-back through a barnstorming Mahalia Murphy who powered her way over to cut the deficit back to a dozen.
Undeterred, the Dragons were able to manufacture their fourth try of the opening stanza with Zali Hopkins sending a charging Trinity Tauaneai over next to the sticks.
It also marked Tauaneai’s first NRLW try as the Dragons took a 22-4 advantage into the sheds.
NRLW Match Highlights: Round 2 vs. Eels
Parramatta managed the opening points of the second half with Rory Owen winning the race to a Cassey Tohi-Hiku to bring the visitors back within 14.
A collision off the following kick-off saw Hopkins and Kennedy Cherrington taken from the field for HIAs with the former ruled out for the remainder of the game.
The Dragons defended their line stoutly as Parramatta’s fightback attempt never picked up any great speed.
NRLW Press Conference: Round 2 vs. Eels
