A fast-starting Magpies side was defeated 40-20 by St George Illawarra in Round 13 of the NSW Cup in Wollongong on Sunday.
Match: Dragons v Magpies
Round 13 -
home Team
Dragons
8th Position
away Team
Magpies
10th Position
Venue: Sid Parrish Park, Sydney
Wests provided the opening three tries of the contest before the Red V ran in six unanswered tries to secure victory.
Triston Reilly, who has found some terrific form in recent weeks, exploded through a gap to collect the opening points of the match.
Rua Ngatikaura then produced a trademark dart from dummy half to score under the posts and extend the Magpies lead.
After 15 minutes, an outstanding kick from Will Smith had Treigh Stewart scrambling to prevent the 40/20, and Reilly pounced on the loose ball to grab his second of the afternoon.
From there however, the game was almost all red and white, as three straight Dragons tries gave them a two-point lead at the break.
St. George Illawarra’s ascendency continued into the second half, with Treigh Stewart’s long ball putting Alex Lobb over in the right corner, before Dylan Egan’s burst allowed Stewart to cross for his second of the afternoon.
After Zach Herring beat three would-be tackles to crash over beside the uprights, Daine Laurie provided a long cut-out ball for Livai Saukuru, with the winger crossing for his sixth try of the season.
Haele Finau wrapped up the scoring with the Dragons emerging victorious, 40-20.
