The St George Illawarra Dragons were defeated 16-4 to the Penrith Panthers at WIN Stadium, Wollongong on Sunday.
The Red-and-Whites managed only the single try in the loss with winger Brett Morris managing to score in the opening stanza of play.
Head Coach Paul McGregor had made only the one change to the team line-up named midweek with prop Dan Hunt elevated to the starting forward-pack in lieu of Mike Cooper, who reverted to the interchange.
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This marked the Dapto Canaries junior’s 150th first-grade appearance for the Club having overcome both a groin and foot injury in recent weeks.
The hosts were contesting their final home game at the venue for the season and marked the occasion by scoring an early try in the seventh minute.
Dragons winger Brett Morris was the player to get his name on the scoresheet having managed to collect a bullet pass on the left flank from fullback Adam Quinlan.
By crossing the stripe, the Kiama Knights junior etched both his and brother Josh’s (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs) respective names in the record books as the all-time record holders of tries scored by siblings in premiership games (196).
However, the celebrations were short lived as the Panthers later evened proceedings with a try to hooker James Segeyaro directly under the posts in the 17th minute.
Panthers five-eighth Jamie Soward converted to put the visitors in front 6-4.
The visitors continued their momentum when second-half play commenced and scored first through lock Adam Docker in the 43rd minute.
Soward converted to make the score 12-4.
After a long arm wrestle of possession and penalties, the Panthers extended their lead courtesy of a try to centre Jamal Idris in the 72nd minute.
Unfortunately, the home side were unable to cross again and succumbed to a harrowing defeat which now places them four-points off the top eight.
St George Illawarra Dragons 4. Tries: Morris. Goals: Widdop (0/1).
Penrith Panthers 16. Tries: Segeyaro, Docker, Idris. Goals: Soward (2/3).
