By Jack Clifton & Olivia Barry
The St George Illawarra Dragons Junior Representatives enjoyed mixed-results in their respective third pre-season trial fixtures on Saturday.
The St George Dragons respective Harold Matthews Cup (U16) and SG Ball (U18) teams were both in action against the Sydney Roosters at Jubilee Oval, Kogarah.
The Dragons Harold Matthews Cup team recorded a narrow four tries to three victory over their Roosters counterparts.
The home side had initially raced to a two-try lead early in in proceedings only to be pegged-back by a spirited Roosters side.
The Dragons though did enough to stay in front at the final whistle.
"Our defence was better and we are working hard for each other however our ball control wasn't good,” said Dragons Harold Matthews Coach Graeme Wynn.
“We will need to do a lot more on this at training and I'm sure we can rectify this problem but overall I'm pleased with what the team produced.”
The Dragons SG Ball team however team fell four tries to two to the Roosters in a game where strong defence and hard running through the middle of the field were on show by both teams.
After falling behind in the first quarter, the hosts showed a lot of fight in getting themselves back in the contest and matching it with the visitors for the remainder of the match.
"It was a good performance overall as we were down two front rowers before the start of the game and lost another during the first quarter,” said SG Ball Coach Brad Liggins.
“Our defence on the line throughout the game was tested many times with players working hard for each other.
“Both sides did drop plenty of ball in the wet conditions and it is an area we need to improve in coming weeks.”
Additionally, the Illawarra Steelers respective Harold Matthews Cup (U16) and SG Ball (U18) teams both celebrated victories over the North Sydney Bears at TG Milner Field, Marsfield.
Meanwhile at TG Milner Field at Marsfield the Illawarra Steelers celebrated trial victories over the North Sydney Bears recording a 32-0 result in the Harold Matthews Cup and a 32-8 score line in the SG Ball Cup.
The Steelers Harold Matthews team were 32-0 victors over their hosts and commenced their unanswered haul of points in the opening minute of the encounter.
The visitors went on to score all but four points during an exciting initial stanza.
The Steelers SG Ball team followed in a similar fashion with a dominant 32-8 win which saw them tally points in quick succession.
The Bears, however, answered back with a try of their own, though the Steelers concluded the first half with a solid score of 12-4.The Steelers scored five more tries during the second-half and proved themselves defensively, only letting in one more try from the hosts in the dying minutes of the game.
"Both trials were valuable, ensuring much-needed time on the field for the players and the opportunity for coaching staff to assess all players prior to our final trial next weekend,” said Steelers Official Steve Nielsen.
“There were some good performances today, though there is also plenty of room for improvement".
