Round 15
St.George-Illawarra Dragons 13 d. Penrith Panthers 12

2008 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

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

Field goal gets Dragons home against Panthers
Sat June 21, 2008
Source: www.dragons.com.au

The St George Bank Dragons have made it five victories in a row defeating the Panthers 13-12 in front of 9,032 fans at ANZ Stadium.

Both sides had two converted tries to their name but it was a Jamie Soward field goal that sealed victory for the Dragons in the 72nd minute.

Coach Nathan Brown after the match commented on how the boys continued to fight and stayed in the battle.

"We toughed it out and found a way to win tonight," Brown Said. "I think they completed 20 out of 21 sets in the first half so we did well to keep them to two tries."

"It wasn't our best tonight but it again showed we are a tougher side and have improved throughout the course of the year," he said.

Front rower Jason Ryles who today announced he will head to Les Catalans Dragons in the English Super League next season said it was a relief to have it out in the open now.

"I've known for a few months but to have it out in the open is better for me and the team," he said. "I'm committed to the Dragons for the remainder of the year and will be doing the best I can for the rest of the year."

The match was played from end to end in the opening with the Dragons being called back for a forward pass whilst at the other hand the Panthers had a try disallowed after captain Petero Civoniceva was inside the 10m from a kick.

After some exciting moments in the opening minutes the Panthers opened the scoring in the ninth minute through fullback Rhys Wesser. Wesser started the play after a tip-on play sent Nathan Smith through and the fullback trailed back on the inside and ran 25m to score under the posts. Jarrod Sammut converted to put the Panthers in front 6-nil.

The Panthers were dealt a blow following the try with Wesser going down with what looked to be an abdominal injury after attempting a tackle on Brett Morris.

With the Dragons on the end of a few harsh calls by referee Jared Maxwell in the first half it was a change of call that gave the Panthers their next opportunity. After it looked as though the Dragons had earned a repeat set the video referee changed the referee's decision and the Panthers had a 20m restart. From that the Panthers then earned a return set after Brett Morris was forced to take it over the dead ball line in the 37th minute.

Throughout the return set it was the Panthers in control with Luke Lewis splitting Jason Ryles and Brett Morris to score next to the right upright. On this occasion Shane Rodney converted and the Panthers went to the half-time break leading 12-nil.

The second half started as the first did with some end to end play but the Dragons on this occasion got the first points of the half. It was a good kick return by Jason Nightingale that enabled the Dragons to start their set of six in Panthers territory. A few plays later Rangi Chase ran a run around play and had Ben Creagh run off his left hip and sent him through a yawning gap which he managed to take on Sammut and reach out to score. Jamie Soward converted from 10m to the left of the uprights to close the gap to 12-6 after 53 minutes.

From the restart the Dragons put on a regulation set before a moment of brilliance from Soward. On his own 40m line he put in a chip for himself which he regathered and got the ball out to his left hand side into the hands of Josh Morris who ran the remaining 25m to score. Soward converted to bring the scores level at 12-all.

The Dragons next opportunity came in the 66th minute after the Dragons earned three penalties in a row Soward elected to take a shot at goal from the sideline but was unsuccessful.

It was a mistake from the Panthers after they failed to find touch from a penalty that gave the dragons the ball back. The red and whites worked the ball straight down the middle of the park and on the last tackle Chase threw a long ball back to Soward who was waiting on the 20m line and he slotted over a field goal to put the Dragons in front 13-12 after 72 minutes.

DRAGONS 13 (Creagh, J Morris Tries; Soward 2 Goals; Soward Field Goal) def. PANTHERS 12 (Wesser, Lewis Tries; Sammut, Rodney Goals).

Referee: Jared Maxwell

Crowd: 9,032

Report Source: www.dragons.com.au

NRL: Dragons 13 v Panthers 12
NYC: Dragons 26 v Panthers 28


Gasnier and Cooper return for Dragons
Tue June 17, 2008
Source: www.dragons.com.au

The St George Illawarra Dragons will welcome the return of NSW Origin centres Mark Gasnier and Matt Cooper for the match against the Panthers this Friday night at ANZ Stadium.

Gasnier replaces Chase Stanley who moves to the interchange while Cooper forces Josh Morris onto the wing.

Kirk Reynoldson, Jon Green and Jarrod Saffy have all been named on a seven man bench with Coach Nathan Brown to make a decision on his four players to use later in the week.

Unavailable Dragons are: Wendell Sailor (cheekbone) Rnd 17-19.

TELSTRA PREMIERSHIP
St George Illawarra Dragons v Penrith Panthers
ANZ Stadium
Friday 20 June
7:45pm

Dragons (NRL):
1. Brett Morris
2. Jason Nightingale
3. Mark Gasnier (c)
4. Matt Cooper
5. Josh Morris
6. Jamie Soward
7. Ben Hornby
8. Justin Poore
9. Dean Young
10. Jason Ryles
11. Beau Scott
12. Ben Creagh
13. Stuart Webb

14. Lagi Setu
15. Dan Hunt
16. Chase Stanley
17. Rangi Chase
18. Kirk Reynoldson
19. Jon Green
20. Jarrod Saffy
(three to be omitted)

Coach: Nathan Brown

TOYOTA CUP
St George Illawarra Dragons v Penrith Panthers
ANZ Stadium
Friday 20 June
5:30pm

Dragons (NYC):
1. Sam Morath
2. Joe Vickery
3. Kane Linnett
4. Dean Whare
5. Henry Raiwalui
6. Maurice Kennedy
7. John Kennedy (C)
8. Thomas Hancock
9. Daniel Fepuleai
10. Rory O'brien
11. Jake Marketo
12. Brad Hudson
13. Matt Mundine

14. Trent Merrin
15. Josh Cochrane
16. Ben Schreiber
17. Jace Brown
18. Rhys Cochrane
19. Travis Roche
(two to be omitted)

Coach: Steven Price

News Source: www.dragons.com.au

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