St George Illawarra Dragons v Saints
Result
NRL Preseason Challenge - 9:05am GMT / 8:05pm AEDT
11/02/23 - 09:05
Att: 6,483
St Helens won the Battle of the Red V after beating St George 18-30 in Wollongong, Australia!
Our English outfit took the lead in the eighth minute. After earning a penalty which pushed them into the hosts’ territory, on the last skipper James Roby put in a grubber kick from dummy half in the opponents five metres, Lewis Dodd picking up the loose ball to dive over from close range. Tommy Makinson converted, 0-6 we led.
That lead was further extended three minutes later. The Dragons knocked the ball on from a high kick in their own ten, from the scrum Saints threw right as Dodd found Makinson on the wing, he threw a good offload whilst being tackled to Jack Welsby who then burrowed his way over from close range. Makinson missed the conversion, 0-10.
Another good chance soon followed. Saints again moved well downfield and Jonny Lomax was just about unable to keep hold of a pass which would have seen Saints with a three against two down their right edge, 0-10 it remained.
The Dragons then got back into the game. After camping for a few repeated sets on the Saints line, Ben Murdoch-Masila broke through the visitors line and found Zac Lomax on his outside to go over in the corner. Lomax converted his own try, 6-10 they trailed.
The scores were then levelled as Treigh Stewart broke through the Saints line before stretching over to plant the ball down. Lomax converted again, as St George took the lead for the first time on the night, 12-10.
Once again the scores were tied shortly after. Welsby made a break down the heart of the Dragons line but was stopped by try-scorer Stewart, the referee judged that it was a hip drop tackle, therefore Saints were awarded a penalty and the Dragons number one put on report. Makinson kicked the two, 12-12.
With six minutes to go until the break, the visitors once again took the lead. Saints throw it from left to right and Curtis Sironen manages to throw an offload before a big hit to Makinson who cuts back off the wing before powering over from close range. Tommy was unable to convert his own try, 12-16 Saints led.
There was time for a final score of the half for the visitors. A high kick wasn’t dealt with by Stewart, the loose ball was allowed to bounce and Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook flicked the loose ball back for Will Hopoate to stroll over for the try. After a long review the try was ruled out for a Sione Mata’utia knock on.
Saints got the ball back as St George had knocked on first, despite camping on the line Makinson tried a kick and chase down the right wing but the ball was put out in-goal, but a good first fourty for the visitors as they led 12-16 at the break at the WIN Stadium.
The first half of the second period was dominated by both sides being very good at completing their sets. The first real chance came as the Dragons broke down the middle of the Saints pack but Saints recovered and stopped the break. The following play, on the last tackle, Mata’utia made a great tackle on the Saints line to stop the hosts at they had looked destined to once again level the scores. It remained 12-16.
A couple of minutes later, the visitors had a chance. Following a successful ‘Captain’s Challenge’ the Saints got the ball in their opponents 20. The ball was thrown from left to right but Lomax’s pass was tipped into the air onto the floor by a St George defender and Saints were unable to capitalize.
The visitors then did extend that lead in the 63rd minute. The hosts were awarded a penalty but did not find touch, as Tee Ritson kept the ball in-field. From the error Saints drove downfield and on the last Dodd’s kick was not dealt with which allowed Welsby to claim the ball, he was tackles inches short of the line. Joey Lussick pinched one from dummy half the following play though from close range. Ben Davies converted, 12-22 the visitors led.
Another try looked to have followed, Agnatius Paasi found Dan Norman, he found Davies, who then found Lussick again who crossed for his second, but the referee had ruled that the final pass had gone forward so it remained 12-22.
Our fifth try, which is worth a bonus point in the Pre Season Challenge, came with ten minutes to go. The ball was moved through the hands down the right edge as Sironen found Konrad Hurrell who then found Ritson and he sped down the right wing before diving over in the right corner for his first Red Vee try. Davies converted from the right touchline, 12-28.
The following kick off was not dealt with by the visitors and the hosts forced a goal-line dropout. From it they moved downfield and Savelio Tamale broke through the line to score. Alex Lobb converted, 18-28.
Another successful ‘Captain’s Challenge’ from the visitors gave them the chance to kick two points with the last play of the game. Davies converted as the visitors won the battle of the Red Vee with a 18-30 victory over the Dragons at the WIN Stadium in the Pre Season Challenge!
Match Summary
St George Illawarra Dragons Team: Treigh Stewart, Mathew Feagai, Moses Suli, Zac Lomax, Mikaele Ravalawa, Connor Muhleisen, Moses Mbye, Joshua Coric, Jacob Liddle, Blake Lawrie, Ben Murdoch-Masila, William Burns, Jaiyden Hunt.
Interchanges: Tautau Moga, Max Feagai, Nick Lui-Toso, Dan Russell, Haele Finau, Sione Finau, Alex Lobb, Savelio Tamale, Jackson Shereb, Joshua Cook, Toby Couchman, Zac Herring, Dylan Egan, Ryan Couchman, Aaron Johnson.
Tries: Zac Lomax (19), Treigh Stewart (24), Savelio Tamale (73)
Conversions: Zac Lomax (2 from 2), Alex Lobb (1 from 1)
Saints Team: Jack Welsby, Tommy Makinson, Konrad Hurrell, Mark Percival, Will Hopoate, Jonny Lomax, Lewis Dodd, Alex Walmsley, James Roby, Matty Lees, Sione Mata’utia, Joe Batchelor, James Bell.
Interchanges: Jon Bennison, Agnatius Paasi, Jake Wingfield, Sam Royle. Lewis Baxter, Joey Lussick, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Curtis Sironen, Dan Norman, Ben Davies, Tee Ritson, Dan Hill.
Tries: Lewis Dodd (8), Jack Welsby (11), Tommy Makinson (34), Joey Lussick (63), Tee Ritson (70)
Conversions: Tommy Makinson (1 from 3), Ben Davies (2 from 2)
Penalties: Tommy Makinson (1 from 1)
HT: 12-16
FT: 18-30
Attendance: 6,483
Highlights & Full match replay: St. George Illawarra Dragons vs St. helens
Saints TV: Joey Lussick on the opportunity to play in NRL Preseason Challenge
Saints TV: Paul Wellens on win in Australia and standout performers
St Helens win the battle of the Red V!
Match Preview: St George Illawarra Dragons
Captain’s Run: St George Illawarra Dragons
Saints TV: Take a closer look at our Narrabeen home
Saints visit the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground
Gallery: Saints get to work in Australia
Saints set off to Australia
Saints Line up
1 | Jack Welsby |
---|---|
2 | Tommy Makinson |
3 | Konrad Hurrell |
4 | Mark Percival |
3 | Will Hopoate |
7 | Jonny Lomax |
7 | Lewis Dodd |
8 | Alex Walmsley |
James Roby | |
10 | Matty Lees |
11 | Sione Mata’utia |
12 | Joe Batchelor |
15 | James Bell |
5 | Jon Bennison |
14 | Joey Lussick |
15 | Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook |
11 | Curtis Sironen |
St George Illawarra Dragons Line up
1 | Treigh Stewart |
---|---|
2 | Matthew Feagai |
3 | Mosese Suli |
4 | Zac Lomax |
5 | Mikaele Ravalawa |
6 | Connor Muhleisen |
7 | Moses Mbye |
8 | Francis Molo |
9 | Jacob Liddle |
10 | Blake Lawrie |
11 | Ben Murdoch-Masila |
12 | Billy Burns |
13 | Jaiyden Hunt |
14 | Tautau Moga |
15 | Max Feagai |
16 | Michael Molo |
17 | Joshua Coric |
Last updated 11 Feb 23 10:58:01
🔥 St Helens win the #BattleOfTheRedV against St George Illawarra Dragons in Wollongong!
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St Helens get a penalty and will take the two to close out the game.
Davies slots it over to seal a memorable win!
🔴 18-30 🔵
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Dragons with some wind in their sails try a grubber kick but it is no good and Saints leap onto it well by the 10m line.
#BattleOfTheRedV
🔴 18-28 🔵
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Alex Lobb adds the kick.
#BattleOfTheRedV
🔴 18-28 🔵
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Dragons score through Savelio Tamale who powered his way to the line and reached out to score.
🔴 16-28 🔵
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Ben Davies from the sidelines! ✌🔥
#BattleOfTheRedV
🔴 12-28 🔵
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TRY TIME FOR TEE! What insane pace from the winger to finish off a move on the right!
#BattleOfTheRedV
🔴 12-26 🔵
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Davies with a lovely kick on the last by the try line for the left edge to try chase, Dragons have to knock it out for a GLDO.
#BattleOfTheRedV
🔴 12-22 🔵
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Lussick thinks he’s in for a score but is pulled back after going next to the sticks.
#BattleOfTheRedV
🔴 12-22 🔵
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✌ Davies on kicking duties now and he kicks it!
#BattleOfTheRedV
🔴 12-22 🔵
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GET IN JOEY! Dodd placed a kick for the Dragons fullback, LMS hits him hard and the ball goes loose and we get it. On the next play Lussick scoots and scores!
#BattleOfTheRedV
🔴 12-20 🔵
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Saints get a let off with a kick that doesn’t go into touch, Ritson races in after making the catch.
#BattleOfTheRedV
🔴 12-16 🔵
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We don’t make the good position pay though, with a forward pass after a scrum.
#BattleOfTheRedV
🔴 12-16 🔵
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Small bit of history, the first-ever Saints’ Captain’s Challenge. Saints get the ball back from the call.
#BattleOfTheRedV
🔴 12-16 🔵
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Ritson, Paasi and LMS come on for Makinson, Lees and Walmsley.
Let’s go boys!
#BattleOfTheRedV
🔴 12-16 🔵
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What a try saving tackle from Sione Mata’utia! 💪 The Dragons with their first chance of the second half but come short thanks to our #11.
#BattleOfTheRedV
🔴 12-16 🔵
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More solid work from both sides, Saints defending well and Dragons having to kick from near the halfway line on a number of occasions.
#BattleOfTheRedV
🔴 12-16 🔵
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Saints again come close! Lussick darts from dummy half and comes close to scoring but strong Dragons defence stops him just shy of the line.
#BattleOfTheRedV
🔴 12-16 🔵
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Saints have the first major chance of the half, Lomax kicks a grubber behind the defensive line into the left for Bennison but the Dragons knock it out for a GLDO.
#BattleOfTheRedV
🔴 12-16 🔵
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Both sides trading sets to start the second half, no major threat on either line yet.
#BattleOfTheRedV
🔴 12-16 🔵
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Back underway for the second half, Davies, Bennison, and Lussick come on. Batchelor, Hopoate and Roby come off at the break.
#BattleOfTheRedV
🔴 12-16 🔵
#COYS | #HistoryInTheMaking
Here at the WIN Stadium there is a firework display, it looks glorious with fans on the hill getting a memorable view!
It’s been a game full of fireworks too so far…
How good was Tommy in the opening forty? 🙌
Well… what an opening forty eh?
What did you make of it?!
⏸ St Helens hold a narrow lead in the #BattleOfTheRedV
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Makinson 👏 What a leap to stop a Dragon attack, a high bomb is taken well by our #2
#BattleOfTheRedV
🔴 12-16 🔵
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Kick missed from the sideline.
#BattleOfTheRedV
🔴 12-16 🔵
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TOMMMYYYYY! That is fantastic from from Curtis Sironen in the carry before and then the final pass to Makinson for a finish in the corner!
#BattleOfTheRedV
🔴 12-16 🔵
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Welsby was tripped and the Dragons get penalised. In front of the sticks we call for the tee and Tommy Makinson adds the penalty. Back level.
#BattleOfTheRedV
🔴 12-12 🔵
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Saints get a chance to attack the other way and stop the Dragons momentum, a great pass inside to Welsby gets Saints close but as we go to the right wing the ball goes loose.
🔴 12-10 🔵
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Zac Lomax’s kick gives the hosts the lead.
🔴 12-10 🔵
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Treigh Stewart makes it back-to-back scores for the Dragons.
🔴 10-10 🔵
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Zac Lomax adds his own kick.
#BattleOfTheRedV
🔴 6-10 🔵
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The hosts have their first points of the game, a pass goes to ground and they have numbers on the left edge for Zac Lomax to score.
#BattleOfTheRedV
🔴 4-10 🔵
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Saints come close again, a shaped up play on the right edge but as Lomax goes to throw out to Makinson he knocks on.
#BattleOfTheRedV
🔴 0-10 🔵
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Conversion missed from the sideline this time.
🔴 0-10 🔵
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Welsbyyyyy! What an offload from Makinson though before being bundled into touch!
🔴 0-10 🔵
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✌ Tommy adds the two!
#BattleOfTheRedV
🔴 0-6 🔵
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That Lomax and Dodd link-up! A beauty of a kick from Jonny and Lewis dots it down!
#BattleOfTheRedV
🔴 0-4 🔵
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There is no quarter being given, both sides giving it to one another early here!
#BattleOfTheRedV
🔴 0-0 🔵
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Okay, let’s have some score predictions.
Drop us a tweet @Saints1890 with yours!
Plenty of St Helens fans here in Wollongong! The Hill overlooking the pitch is looking superb and filling up nicely!
Paul Wellens spoke to Saints TV ahead of the game confirming Morgan Knowles misses out due to a slight sickness bug and wants him at this best ahead of the WCC next week. James Bell steps in at loose!
Your Saints squad for the Battle of the Red V 🙌
💪 A historic occasion as St Helens and St George Illawarra Dragons meet for the very first time!
It has been a hot week in Manly for the Saints getting prepped, and they are on their way to Wollongong where the temperature is going to be 27°C/81°F.
Like Matty Lees said earlier in the week, sunscreen is essential…
📷 Whether you are cheering on our Saints in Wollongong or from your living room, we’d love to see your supporters pictures!
Send us them on social media and use #️⃣ #HistoryInTheMaking
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On Saints TV we have LOADS for you to watch to get ready for the big game!
Interviews: Paul Wellens, James Graham, and Jake Wingfield
Behind the Scenes: Saints visit; The SCG, Rabbitohs and Swans
Plus more so go look!
It is GAME DAY!
History will be made as our St Helens face St George Illawarra Dragons in Australia, the first-ever meeting between these two huge clubs!
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