Dragons Pathways Wrap: Rd 4

The Dragons under-19s men suffered their first loss of the year at the hands of reigning Grand Finalists the Knights 16-14 with a 64th-minute Wailer Whaiapu try proving the difference.

Willie Talau’s squad got off to a strong start thanks to a four-pointer 14 minutes in courtesy of winger Jesse Williams who was on the end of a slick backline shift and Tyler Peckham-Harris cut-out ball.

It was Williams’ eighth try in just four games this season – a competition-leading mark.

Williams’ wing-partner Zac Nachar turned defence into attack to claim the Red V’s second picking off a looping Knights cut-out ball to race 80 metres down the other end and dive over untouched.

Skipper Shadi Hammoud linked with Corey Ackers for the side’s third try with the former sending the latter charging over via a well-timed inside-ball on the goal-line to make it 14-0 on the stroke of halftime.

The Knights’ kicked off their fightback on the other side of the break with Bailey Carmichael finding his way to the stripe for their first points.

Hammoud was forced from the field in the lead-up to the hosts’ second try for a HIA with centre Wilson De Courcy crossing to cut the lead to four.

Whaiapu scored what proved to be the match-winner with six minutes remaining to put an end to the Dragons’ undefeated start to the year.

The Steelers are back atop the SG Ball Cup ladder having taken down the Eels 30-16 at WIN Stadium on Saturday.

The visitors got on the scoreboard first via fullback Corey Leigh before the Steelers answered through stand-in halfback Aaymon Fitzgibbon who took advantage of halves partner Lyhkan King-Togia’s break to crash over next to the sticks.

Fitzgibbon followed his effort up by laying on the Steelers’ second try serving a pinpoint, cross-field kick to leaping winger Tom Kirk who snatched the ball out of the air to dive over.

The Eels hit back a half-hour in through second rower Tyrese Lokeni to cut the hosts’ edge to just two heading into the sheds.

Skipper Daniel Meafou spun and ducked his way over underneath the sticks to continue his superb try-scoring form off an Eels error early in the second stanza as the Steelers gained an eight-point buffer.

Refusing to yield, the Eels hit back 53 minutes in again through Lokeni before No.1 Lucas Borg responded nearly immediately for the Steelers off a left-side raid to earn his side some breathing room.

Meafou trucked his way over for his second moments later to put the icing on the cake for the Steelers and ensure they remained unbeaten for season 2024.

TARSHA GALE CUP

The Steelers under-19s women secured their fourth win from four outings this season taking care of business against the Eels 38-0 at WIN Stadium.

It was the perfect encore to their 50-to-nothing shut-out against the Bears a week ago with Courtney Crawford’s squad having now played 168 minutes of rugby league without conceding any points.

The scoring started early for the hosts with centre Mia-Rose Walsh scoring her fifth try of the season just five minutes in before centre partner Indie Bostock snagged one of her own to make it 10-0.

Bostock had her second a little over 10 minutes later as the Steelers’ edges continued their dominant display.

Five-eighth Evie McGrath – who leads the competition's try-scoring list – joined the party soon after as the Steelers marched into halftime with a 20-0 advantage.

No.9 Chelsea Savill managed to power her way over 41 minutes in to improve the hosts’ edge before McGrath crossed to grab her fifth try the space of a fortnight.

Front rower Hope Millard capped it off with a late four-pointer for the Steelers who next week host the Roosters Indigenous Academy in a top of the table clash at Figtree.

HAROLD MATTHEWS CUP

The Steelers Harold Matthews Cup side went down 20-12 to the Eels at WIN Stadium on Saturday.

An early try to second rower Creighton Meafou got the Steelers on the board before the Eels answered through Michael Nauer to make it six-apiece heading into the sheds.

Five-eighth Talen Risati put the Eels ahead in the opening stages of the second half before Steelers rake Caden Hooper scored to tie it at a dozen 42 minutes in.

Risati scored his second with eight to play in what proved to be the decisive try before the visitors capped their win off with a penalty goal on the siren.

LISA FIAOLA CUP

The Steelers Lisa Fiaola Cup outfit were unable to take down the Eels at WIN Stadium on Saturday falling 32-16.

Freedom Crichton Ropati got the visitors on the board 5 minutes in before skipper Tahlia O’Brien came up with the Steelers’ response.

Jasmine Rorani, Leyla Oueik, and Logan Lemusu all crossed the Eels prior to the break to hand them a 12-point edge.

Lemusu claimed her second on the other side of the half for the Eels before Armani Tanioria came up with an answer for the hosts.

Dummy-half Tori Shipton made it back-to-back tries for the Steelers to cut the deficit to eight with a little under 10 minutes to play only for Lemusu to seal her hat-trick and No.7 Sharon Latapu to ice it.

LAURIE DALEY CUP

The ISC Dragons’ Laurie Daley Cup squad were bested by the Western Rams 28-12 in Shellharbour on Sunday.

The Rams leapt out to a 16-6 halftime lead behind tries to Beau Hartley, Ajay Isbester-Boss, and Ryan Goodsell with Levi Valesini the lone try-scorer for the hosts.

A Letham Manago try cut the deficit to four for the ISC Dragons before a late Cooper Black double sealed the Rams’ victory.

ANDREW JOHNS CUP

The Western Rams proved too strong for the ISC Dragons in the Andrew Johns Cup running away 50-22 victors in Shellharbour.

An early Rams assault made life hard for the ISC Dragons who found themselves down 28-0 just 24 minutes in.

A Jordan Barlow try got the hosts on the board on the stroke of halftime before a quick Cruz McGuinness double cut the deficit to 12 early in the second half.

Despite a late try to ISC Dragons back rower Tom Voase, the Rams took home a crucial pair of competition points.