The Dragons were able to hold off the Roosters 24-20 in their Knock-On Effect NSW Cup clash at Wentworth Park on Saturday.
It proved a back-and-forth affair with both teams holding second-half leads but it was the works of the Dragons forward pack that got the job done with Ryan Hutchinson and Matthew Alhazim both finding crucial late tries.
The clash proved a special day for Connor Muhleisen who made his first appearance since tearing his ACL in last year's Grand Final, marking the culmination of a long rehab journey for the 25-year-old.
It also marked Dapto Canaries junior Oliver Burton's Knock-On Effect NSW Cup debut and another step in the 17-year-old's meteoric rise through the grades.
Match: Roosters v Dragons
Round 22 -
home Team
Roosters
7th Position
away Team
Dragons
11th Position
Venue: Wentworth Park, Sydney
It took just three minutes for the Dragons to strike with Nick Tsougranis scooping up a loose Roosters dummy-half pass and showing some terrific speed to race more than 60 metres downfield and score.
Ha’ele Finau – playing in an unfamiliar position at fullback – produced back-to-back try-saving cover tackles soon after much to the joy of his teammates.
Having enjoyed a bulk of the ascendancy, the Dragons found a second half an hour in with Dextar Grant showcasing some nice vision to send Dylan Coutts crashing over down a narrow right side.
The Roosters found a needed try prior to the break off the back of a missed knock-on call with Jaxson Rahme diving over out of acting half to cut the deficit back to 8-6.
The Dragons extended their lead back out to eight in the opening exchanges of the second half with Jacob Webster steaming through to pounce on a dropped Joseph O’Neill grubber.
The Tricolours answered moments later with Junior Pauga finding space on the end of a slick shift out left before Toby Rodwell and Rex Bassingthwaighte combined to earn the hosts their first lead.
Undeterred, the Dragons nosed back in front with Braith Plecas punching through a hole off some sharp Muhleisen ball-playing and finding a supporting Ryan Hutchinson who outran the cover to dive over for his fourth try of the season.
The visitors were able to edge further ahead shortly after with Matthew Alhazim charging his way back behind the truck to produce a strong individual effort and make it 24-16.
With eight minutes remaining, Pauga nabbed his second to set up a nervous finish but Willie Talau's men were able to hold on and snap their three-game losing streak.
