Round 22
St.George-Illawarra Dragons 14 l. South Sydney Rabbitohs 24

2007 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: Aus_NZ > National > First Grade Competition: NRL Telstra Premiership

Rabbitohs secure first win in Wollongong since 1989
Mon August 13, 2007
Source: www.souths.com.au

The South Sydney Rabbitohs have secured their first victory in Wollongong in 18 years by defeating the St George Illawarra Dragons at WIN Stadium tonight (Saturday) by 24 points to 14 in front of 18,382 fans.

The Rabbitohs looked to have let the game slip from their grasp, only to take control late in the second half to record their 10th win of the season and their first in Wollongong since 1989.

As has been par for the course for the past few games, the Rabbitohs had got away to a handy lead in the first half, only have it eroded away in the minutes before half time.

South Sydney opened the scoring in the third minute of play when Jeremy Smith scooted 65 metres to score next to the sticks. The Dragons were looking for a long kick with the ball hitting Smith's legs. He charged through, picked up the loose ball and scored. Joe Williams converted to give the Rabbitohs an early six-point lead.

The game see-sawed for the next 15 minutes, with the Rabbitohs controlling play and blowing a couple of chances to extend their lead.

They finally crossed in the 20th minute through winger Paul Mellor, who flew high above the pack to snap up a Joe Williams cross field bomb to score in the right-hand corner. Williams missed the conversion to give the Rabbitohs a 10-nil lead midway through the first half.

The Dragons struck back with two late tries to winger Tom Hewitt, both coming from Jamie Soward kicks in the 30th and 34th minutes. Soward missed both conversions from the touchline to trail by two at the break.

The Rabbitohs again controlled the play for the first 20 minutes of the match and let their opposition back into the game. The Rabbitohs made plenty of metres to get in good field position but failed to capitalise often enough. Roy Asotasi, Peter Cusack, John Sutton and Luke Stuart were making good metres up front and Nathan Merritt looked dangerous chiming in from the back. The Dragons' play revolved around Soward on the left, with Gasnier fairly well contained on the right.

The Rabbitohs opened the second half in exciting fashion with Dean Widders and Nathan Merritt making breaks and earning 80 metres for their team mates, but the Rabbitohs couldn't finish it off with points.


The Dragons capitalised on three sets of six in the Rabbitohs 20 metre area when replacement Rangi Chase scored from his own grubber kick. It looked as though Chase knocked the ball on over the line, however the video referee decided the try was good and awarded the four-pointer as benefit of the doubt. Soward kicked the conversion to give the home side the advantage for the first time in the match 14-10.

The Rabbitohs sprung to life in the 62nd minute when Jeremy Smith again plucked a kick out of the air and raced 80 metres down field to set up the next raid on the Dragons line. Jamie Soward committed a professional foul by lying on the tackled player, leaving his side with 12 men for the next ten minutes.

The Rabbitohs pounced in this opportunity with Paul Mellor scoring his second try for the night in the 63rd minute. A beautiful grubber in goal by Williams was collected by Mellor were ran around to score near the posts. Williams conversion gave the Rabbitohs a two-point advantage with 15 minutes left on the clock.

The Dragons attacked from the next set and would have scored through Chris Houston if not for a miraculous try-saving tackle from Nathan Merritt.

Ferocious defence from captain Roy Asotasi forced an error from the Dragons in the 70th minute of play setting up the Rabbitohs next attacking raid.

The red and greens scored two minutes later through Yileen Gordon, who received a quick tap on from Williams, then goose stepped his way over the line. Williams converted from the left hand touchline to give the Rabbitohs 22-14 lead with only seven minutes left on the clock.

From the next set the Rabbitohs attacked again with Asotasi popping a beautiful pass to set up a Merritt break, who nearly scored under the sticks. A penalty for lying on the tackled player set up a Williams penalty goal, giving the Rabbitohs a 10-point advantage with four minutes to play.

The Rabbitohs held the Dragons out for the remainder of the game to record their 10th win of 2007 and keep their top-eight dreams alive.

Roy Asotasi was a stand out for the Rabbitohs in the second half, with halves Joe Williams and Jeremy Smith guiding their team around the park in the second forty minutes. Nathan Merritt was a sensation at the back, causing the Dragons all sorts of problems. The Dragons go-to man in Mark Gasnier was shut down all night by the Rabbitohs solid defence.

The Rabbitohs move on to play the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles next Monday night at Telstra Stadium in a block-busting match up.

South Sydney Rabbitohs 24 (Paul Mellor 2, Jeremy Smith, Yileen Gordon tries; Joe Williams 4 goals)

defeated

St George Illawarra Dragons 14 (Tom Hewitt 2, Rangi Chase tries; Jamie Soward goal)

NRL Team Changes:

Rabbitohs - #9 Issac Luke to the interchange bench, #14 Shane Rigon starting at hooker.

Dragons - #15 Ashton Sims out (Premier League), #18 Lagi Setu on to interchange bench.

Premier League - St George Illawarra Dragons 34 defeated North Sydney Bears 24

Report source: www.souths.com.au


Dragons unchanged for Rabbitohs clash
Tue August 7, 2007
Source: www.dragons.com.au

Dragons Coach Nathan Brown this week has named an unchanged team to take on the Rabbitohs at WIN Stadium this Saturday night.

The side who defeated the Knights last week will be looking to put together back to back wins to keep in touch with the top eight.

Brown is looking for his side to be smarter in attack this week and work hard in defence.

"We did some good things in attack last week but really need to improve against a tougher opposition this week," Brown said.

Unavailable Dragons are: Wes Naiqama (Knee), Dean Young (Knee), Brett Morris (Shoulder), Keith Lulia (Groin), Corey Payne (Shoulder) and Ben Ellis (Hamstring).

NRL
v South Sydney Rabbitohs
7.30pm Saturday 11 August
WIN Stadium

Coach: Nathan Brown

1. Ben Hornby
2. Tom Hewiitt
3. Chase Stanley
4. Matt Cooper
5. Josh Morris
6. Mark Gasnier
7. Jamie Soward
8. Justin Poore
9. Simon Woolford
10. Jason Ryles
11. Beau Scott
12. Chris Houston
13. Ben Creagh

Subs:
14. Adam Peek
15. Ashton Sims
16. Dan Hunt
17. Rangi Chase

News sent by: www.dragons.com.au

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