Round 2
St George Illawarra Dragons 16 d. Gold Coast Titans 10

2009 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

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

Analysis: Dragons 16 v Titans 10
Mon March 23, 2009
Source: NRL Stats: Dragons 16 v Titans 10

St George Illawarra gave Wayne Bennett his first win as coach grinding out the Gold Coast Titans 16-10 on Saturday.

Bennett joined the Dragons with much fanfare and they showed they can win by playing tough and ugly football as they did what was required to get the two points. Traditionally the Dragons have been able to win matches when it all goes their own way or it's a tit-for-tat affair, but appears to be turning the corner.

Scott Prince scored in the 5th minute with a try from a charge down and from that moment the Dragons worked their way back into the match and a try to Jeremy Smith in the 22nd saw them level the scores at 4-all and Jamie Soward's conversion made it 6-4.

Neville Costigan scored soon after half-time as the Dragons went to a 12-4 lead and from that moment they were never in danger. Jason Nightingale secured victory in the 67th when he scored, but a late try to William Zillman in the final minute of play reduced the margin to six points.

Unwanted Titans hooker Nathan Friend once again topped the tackle count with 40 whilst Dragons duo Michael Weyman and Ben Creagh each made 17 hit ups with Creagh making the more metres.

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Positive: The fact they won by playing tough and ugly football.

Negative: Their attack is lacking points at this stage.

Verdict: Will be there when it matters later in the year and have turned the corner in how to win matches without all flair and all being one-way traffic.

GOLD COAST TITANS
Positive: They didn't give up and hung in there for long periods of the match.

Negative: Scott Prince made five errors and once again struggled away from home.

Verdict: Won't make the eight until they learn to play away from Queensland.

THE QUESTION
Is this the victory that can kick start the Saint Wayne era at the Dragons?

TOP STATS
All Runs Metres: Ben Creagh 134
All Runs: Michael Weyman 17, Ben Creagh 17
Offloads: Preston Campbell 3
Tackles: Nathan Friend 40
1-on-1 Tackles: Anthony Laffranchi 5
Tackle Breaks: Darius Boyd 8
Line Breaks: Jeremy Smith 1, William Zillman 1
Penalties Conceded: Mat Rogers 2, Mark Minichiello 2
Missed Tackles: Mark Minichiello 4
Kicks: Jamie Soward 18
Errors: Scott Prince 5
Gets: Scott Prince 26

NRL Stats: Dragons 16 v Titans 10
NYC Stats: Dragons 28 v Titans 30
Dragons v Titans Match Thread


2009 NRL Round 2 Saturday NRL & NYC Wrap
Sun March 22, 2009
Wayne Bennett secured his first victory as Dragons, Michael Ennis and Petero Civoniceva come to blows at full time and the great double act on display in Townsville highlights Round 2 Saturday action.

The Dragons dominated the Titans in a dour struggle scoring three tries and conceding two with the last of them coming in the final minute of play. Scott Prince scored early for the Titans, but a try to Jeremy Smith put the home side up 6-4 after 23 minutes and it remained that way until half time.

Neville Costigan scored six minutes into the second half to push the Dragons lead up to 12-4 and a try to Jason Nightingale in the 67th minute sealed victory for the home side. A late try to William Zillman brought the final margin down to six points.

At Penrith's CUA Stadium, the Bulldogs overcame bogey side Penrtih 28-26 in a dramatic and highly controversial clash. The Panthers rise for any clash against the Bulldogs and this was no exception with a late try to Ben Roberts in the final two minutes leveling up the scores. Veteran Hazel El Masri landed a bottler from near the sideline to seal victory for the visitors.

It didn't end there with Penrith captain Petero Civoniceva and Bulldogs recruit Michael Ennis reportedly coming to blows after full-time. Ennis was pounded by the Panthers defence on and off the ball in attack in another outstanding performance. Civoniceva and Ennis played alongside each other at the Broncos in 2007 and despite the reports being strong that an incident occurred; both clubs are understandably playing down the incident. What it does show is the passion and drive that both individuals have for success and hopefully dispel any rumours that Civoniceva doesn't have the same passion for the Penrith jersey as he does for others he has worn in the past.

Michael Jennings won the centre battle against Jamal Idris in the battle of the boom youngsters. Trent Waterhouse was outstanding for the home side along with Civoniceva, but the real star of the night was Bulldogs lock David Stagg. It was a performance that was up there with the deeds of Paul Langmack and Jim Dymock at their best as Stagg was involved in everything in both attack and defence. On top of Stagg's 43 tackles he made over 100m in attack, scored a try and created a try for Jamal Idris. New Bulldogs recruit Greg Eastwood scored on debut and also showed his class despite being out of condition.

Penrith Director and Fox Sports Commentator Greg Alexander complained about the use of 14 players by the Bulldogs, but it's believed at this stage TV footage has cleared the Bulldogs of any wrong doing and mere confusion. One of the points of contention was that only three players were sitting on the Bulldogs bench, but second rower Gary Warburton sustained a neck injury during the first half and wasn't put back onto the bench. Andrew Ryan was replaced late in the match and was walking around the other side of the ground, but footage has proved that Roberts was on the field after Ryan had left the arena.

Up at Dairy Farmers Stadium it was once again the great Johnathan Thurston and Matt Bowen double act as the Cowboys destroyed the Wests Tigers 42-14 in a dazzling display of Rugby League. North Queensland dominated all across the park with forwards Carl Webb and Antonio Kaufusi leading the way with Thurston and Bowen along with the rest of the outside backs putting on a treat for the passionate supports in Australia's Top End.

Meanwhile in Toyota Cup action, the Titans made it two from two defeating the Dragons 30-28 despite three tries from Beau Henry. The Dragons scored six tries to five and could have drawn the game at the end, but their goal kicking was way off target.

The Bulldogs overcame two players being sin binned to record their first victory of the season with a length of the field try in the final second of the match extending out the closeness of the clash. Local Bulldogs junior Cliff Nye made his debut at NYC level and equated himself quite nicely in the fullback position.

Wests Tigers bounced back from the big loss against Canberra to defeat the Cowboys 22-6 conceding just one try on the stroke of half time.

In NRL and NYC action today the Raiders are at home to the Roosters at 2pm and defending premiers Manly host the Warriors with kick off at 3pm. Get out and support both games and both grades and appreciate Rugby League is one of the few or possibly the only professional sporting code in Australia that has two grades of competition back to back.

NRL TELSTRA PREMIERSHIP
Saturday March 21, 2009
St.George-Illawarra Dragons vs Gold Coast Titans at WIN Stadium, Wollongong (NSW)

ST.GEORGE-ILLAWARRA DRAGONS 16
Tries (3): Jason Nightingale, Jeremy Smith, Neville Costigan
Goals (2): Jamie Soward (2 from 3)

GOLD COAST TITANS 10
Tries (2): Scott Prince, William Zillman
Goals (1): Scott Prince (1 from 2)

Referee: Ashley Klein, Alan Shortall
Crowd: 13329
Halftime score: St.George-Illawarra Dragons 6-4


Saturday March 21, 2009
Penrith Panthers vs Bulldogs at Penrith Stadium, Mulgoa Road, Penrith, Sydney (NSW)

PENRITH PANTHERS 26
Tries (4): Trent Waterhouse 2, Paul Aiton, Brad Tighe
Goals (5): Michael Gordon (5 from 5)

BULLDOGS 28
Tries (5): Greg Eastwood, Jamal Idris, Brett Kimmorley, Ben Roberts, David Stagg
Goals (4): Hazem El Masri (4 from 5)

Referee: Matt Cecchin, Chris James
Crowd: 16846
Halftime score: Penrith Panthers 20-12


Saturday March 21, 2009
North Queensland Cowboys vs Wests Tigers at Dairy Farmers Stadium, Kirwan, Townsville (QLD)

NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS 42
Tries (7): Matt Bowen, Travis Burns, Antonio Kaufusi, Aaron Payne, Carl Webb, John Williams, Ty Williams
Goals (7): Johnathan Thurston (7 from 7)

WESTS TIGERS 14
Tries (3): Tim Moltzen, John Morris, Taniela Tuiaki
Goals (1): Benji Marshall (1 from 3)

Referee: Jason Robinson, Phil Haines
Halftime score: North Queensland Cowboys 18-8


NYC TOYOTA CUP
Saturday March 21, 2009
St.George-Illawarra Dragons vs Gold Coast Titans at WIN Stadium, Wollongong (NSW)

ST.GEORGE-ILLAWARRA DRAGONS 28
Tries (6): Beau Henry 3, Kalifa Fai Fai Loa, Cameron King, Joe Vickery
Goals (2): Cameron King (2 from 3), Henry Raiwalui (0 from 3)

GOLD COAST TITANS 30
Tries (5): Kevin Gordon 2, Sebastian Davies, Luke Page, Cody Walker
Goals (5): Jordan Rankin (5 from 5)

Referee: Adam Gee
Halftime score: St.George-Illawarra Dragons 8-6


Saturday March 21, 2009
Penrith Panthers vs Bulldogs at Penrith Stadium, Mulgoa Road, Penrith, Sydney (NSW)

PENRITH PANTHERS 26
Tries (5): Michael Fualalo 2, Wade Graham, Ioritana Tuau, Zoram Watene
Goals (3): Stirling Siejka (3 from 5)

BULLDOGS 34
Tries (6): Pakisonasi Afu, Rhys Jack, Ben James, Joseph Matapuku, Kele Niusere, Josh Reynolds
Goals (5): Josh Reynolds (3 from 4), Matt Minto (2 from 3)

Referee: Grant Atkins
Halftime score: Penrith Panthers 16-12


Saturday March 21, 2009
North Queensland Cowboys vs Wests Tigers at Dairy Farmers Stadium, Kirwan, Townsville (QLD)

NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS 6
Tries (1): Steven Eliott
Goals (1): Ben Cronin (1 from 1)

WESTS TIGERS 22
Tries (4): Jake Clarke, Robert Lui, Jake Mullany, Simon Dwyer
Goals (3): Jake Mullany (2 from 3), Robert Lui (1 from 1)

Referee: Justin Davis
Halftime score: Wests Tigers 10-6

Fri March 20, 2009
• Titans focus on own backyard in enemy territory (Audio)
  
Fri March 20, 2009
• Preview: Dragons v Titans - 2009 NRL Round 2
  
Tue March 17, 2009
• Costigan to make Dragons NRL debut in opening home game
  
Tue March 17, 2009
• Bailey to notch 150th game against Dragons
  

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