​Mistakes dominate as Dragons outlast Panthers

It will go down as a match not to be remembered, but in the end the Dragons prevailed 19-12 over the Panthers in front of 9,145 fans at WIN Stadium.

Needing to win to keep their top-eight aspirations alive, the Dragons managed to rise to the occasion in the final ten minutes, but for the previous 70 both sides struggled for any cohesion.

Opening the scoring with a penalty goal in the 9th minute, Gareth Widdop was able to draw in Isaah Yeo before linking with Peter Mata'utia who crossed out wide to give the home side an 8-0 lead.

Having shown a willingness to attack throughout the first half, but often let down by poor execution; the Panthers were able to open their account after 26 minutes following a sensational crossfield kick by Jamie Soward to an umarked David Simmons.

Shortly afterwards, Josh Mansour touched down in the opposite corner after receiving a pass Matthew Gidley would be proud of.

Just before the break the Dragons leveled the scores following a Widdop penalty goal, but were unable to take the lead on halftime as Benji Marshall's attempt at field-goal fell well wide.

For much of the second half neither side could make an impression on the scoreboard; both Soward and Widdop exchanged penalty goals, but neither playmaker could get their sides the lead.

With ten minutes left on the clock, Benji Marshall stepped up to break the deadlock from close range, allowing the Dragons to take a 13-12 lead into the dying stages.

With Gareth Widdop stepping up with a series of long-range kicks which resulted in line drop outs, the Dragons managed to put themselves in a strong position to seal the deal.

Putting in a last-tackle grubber kick from close range, Widdop was able to beat Jeremy Latimore to the ball to see the Dragons run out 19-12 victors.

While the Dragons were able to get the victory in the end, coach Paul McGregor will know his side has to lift heading into the finals, especially with their ball control.

For the Panthers, their horrid run with injury continues to mount with Elijah Taylor suffering a broken hand early in the match which will likely end his season.

Next week the Dragons travel to the Gold Coast to take on the Titans on Sunday afternoon, while the Panthers head to the ACT to battle the Raiders on Monday night football.

Match Details

St. George Illawarra Dragons 19 Penrith Panthers 12
Venue: WIN Stadium
Crowd: 9145
Halftime Score: St. George Illawarra Dragons 10 Penrith Panthers 10

ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS (19)
Tries: Gareth Widdop, Peter Mata'utia
Field Goals: Benji Marshall (1/2)
Conversions: Gareth Widdop (2/2)
Penalty Goals: Gareth Widdop (3/3)

PENRITH PANTHERS (12)
Tries: David Simmons, Josh Mansour
Conversions: Jamie Soward (1/2)
Penalty Goals: Jamie Soward (1/1)

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:

3 points - Gareth Widdop
2 points - William Smith
1 point - Jamie Soward

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary

Welcome to League Unlimited's coverage of Thursday Night Football between St. George Illawarra Dragons and Penrith Panthers at WIN Stadium.

For the Dragons, Joel Thompson is out; Jake Marketo will start in the front row, while Mark Ioane comes onto the bench.

The Panthers have opted to use Tyrone Peachey alongside Jamie Soward in the halves, allowing Sika Manu to come into the forward pack.

Elijah Taylor leads the Panthers onto WIN Stadium.

Will Smith kicks off and Mike Cooper takes the first charge of the night.

1: Josh Dugan puts a chip kick in, but Will Smith does well to gather the ball in.

1: The Panthers get a penalty, but Elijah Taylor appears hurt; he's staying on for now.

3: Jamie Soward's kick ricochets off a Dragon, but the referee has deemed the ball wasn't played at. Changeover.

4: Penrith come up with an error inside their own half, early chance for the Dragons.

4: Josh Dugan throws a few dummies but can't through the Panthers defence.

5: Dragons get a penalty.

5: UNFORCED ERROR ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Justin Hunt makes an unforced error.
Benji Marshall delivers a cut-out pass, but the Dragons winger can't keep hold of the ball.

7: Soward puts a long kick in, but the ball rolls dead allowing the Dragons to start a 7-tackle set.

8: The Dragons receive a penalty and elect to take the 2 points on offer.

8: SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Penalty goal attempt by Gareth Widdop successful.
From 28 metres out, right in-front; the Dragons open the scoring.

10: The Dragons finish off their set after points by putting in a nice kick close the Panthers line.

11: Lewis Brown has lost the ball in a three-man tackle featuring Benji Marshall and Trent Merrin.

11: Peter Mata'utia finds some space, but ignores Justin Hunt in support.

13: UNFORCED ERROR ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Josh Dugan makes an unforced error.
From close to the sideline, the Dragons fullback looks to pass to Dylan Farrell but puts the ball into touch.

14: TRY ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Scored by Peter Mata'utia. Kick to come.
Great work from Gareth Widdop to put his centre over.

15: Mata'utia was denied a few minutes earlier; but following a poor read from Isaah Yeo, the Dragons centre scores the first try of the night.

16: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Conversion attempt by Gareth Widdop successful.
From the sideline, Widdop manages to sneak the ball between the posts.

17: UNFORCED ERROR ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Benji Marshall makes an unforced error.
Looking for a 40/20, Marshall puts the ball out on the full.

17: Elijah Taylor has succumbed to a wrist injury. Tupou Sopoaga takes his place.

18: Penalty to Penrith close the the Dragons try-line.

18: UNFORCED ERROR PENRITH PANTHERS
Sika Manu makes an unforced error.
On the first tackle of the set, Manu makes an error gifting the Dragons back possession.

19: UNFORCED ERROR ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Euan Aitken makes an unforced error.
After running behind Jack de Belin, the Dragons centre is penalised for an obstruction.

20: Penrith will get another set after Dylan Farrell was ruled to knock the ball into touch.

21: Bryce Cartwright is over the line after a flat pass from Koroisau, but the Dragons are able to hold the second rower up.

22: The Panthers come up with an obstruction as they looked likely to score.

23: Penrith come up with a great hit back following a Widdop grubber. Will Smith takes the Panthers up to the 40 metre line.

24: Soward comes up with a brilliant banana kick to trap Gareth Widdop in-goal. Line drop-out.

25: Lailani Latu is met in a heavy tackle by Mitch Rein and Mike Cooper.

25: The Dragons will get a penalty after Will Smith was ruled to be taken out by Tyson Frizell.

25: Frizell on-report for tripping.

26: Tyrone Peachey is down after coming into contact with Euan Aitken's knee.

26: Euan Aitken has been placed on-report. It shouldn't have been a penalty, but being placed on-report is just overkill.

26: TRY PENRITH PANTHERS
Scored by David Simmons. Kick to come.
Great work by Jamie Soward to kick for his isolated winger.

27: The League Unlimited team mentioned David Simmons in the match preview and once again the veteran winger has delivered.

27: Tyrone Peachey is being assessed by the Panthers medical team.

27: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PENRITH PANTHERS
Conversion attempt by Jamie Soward successful.
After setting up the try with a kick, Soward puts another great kick in to add the extras.

29: Soward puts a long kick in which subsequently results in a line drop out. Great pressure from the Panthers.

29: The Panthers have made some errors early on tonight, but they look to be coming into their own at the moment.

30: Soward puts another great kick in for David Simmons; the referee is checking to see whether Isaah Yeo has grounded the ball, but it looks as though the St. John's Dubbo junior has been held up.

30: No Try. Penrith will start a new set 10 metres out.

31: This has been a mistake riddled first half; Dragons make an error, Penrith make an error. It's errors galore here at WIN Stadium!

32: Isaah Yeo does well to gather in a poor pass from dummy half.

32: TRY PENRITH PANTHERS
Scored by Josh Mansour. Kick to come.
Lewis Brown comes up with a "Matt Gidley" flick pass to put Mansour over. Penrith have the lead.

34: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PENRITH PANTHERS
Conversion attempt by Jamie Soward unsuccessful.
From the touchline, Soward can't quite get the ball to swing back.

35: James Segeyaro aims for a 40/20, but the kick doesn't have the necessary direction.

35: Penalty to the Dragons. They elect to level the scores from close range.

37: SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Penalty goal attempt by Gareth Widdop successful.
Scores are level.

38: The Fresh Prince of Penrith comes up with a great take close to his tryline.

39: Elijah Taylor has been ruled out with a broken hand. That will more than likely end his season.

39: UNSUCCESSFUL FIELD GOAL ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Field goal attempt by Benji Marshall unsuccessful.
He's kicked a field goal from halfway before, but that's about the worst kick Benji's ever put in!

40: It's been a mistake riddled first half, but both sides will have the next 40 minutes to see who will come away with the two points.

40: Gareth Widdop kicks off, Leilani Latu takes the first run of the second half.

41: Jamie Soward's kick finds Justin Hunt 30 metres out from the Dragons line.

42: After Benji Marshall throws an intercept, Latu does his best Nathan Blacklock '99 Grand Final impression, but is taken on halfway.

44: Widdop puts a high bomb up, but once again Will Smith produces a sensational catch.

44: Penalty to Penrith.

45: Koroisau has the ball stripped from him, giving the Panthers a penalty 20 metres out.

46: Three Dragons are able to prevent David Simmons from getting over for his second.

47: Widdop puts the ball over the sideline. Penrith will start a set just short of halfway.

48: Jake Marketo and Leeson Ah Mau have placed Leilani Latu into a dangerous position.

48: Marketo on report. That may be his season if his cops a suspension.

48: Jamie Soward will kick to give Penrith the lead once again.

49: SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL PENRITH PANTHERS
Penalty goal attempt by Jamie Soward successful.
Soward doesn't miss. Penrith lead 12-10.

49: Reagan Campbell-Gillard comes on for Leilani Latu.

51: Soward launched the ball into the air; after letting it bounce, Josh Dugan comes up with possession.

51: Isaah Yeo fends off Justin Hunt, but loses his footing.

52: Jack de Belin offloads to a flying Gareth Widdop who is cut down short of the line.

53: Widdop earns a penalty and elects to once again take the two points.

54: SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Penalty goal attempt by Gareth Widdop successful.
Scores are level once again.

55: Mitch Rein kicks straight to the cornerpost, Penrith will get a 7-tackle set.

56: Sika Manu loses the ball!

57: Mike Cooper comes up with a play the ball on par with Benji Marshall's halftime field-goal attempt.

58: Isaah Yeo swamps Josh Dugan in a tackle; the Dragons aren't making ground. They aren't playing like a team capable of making an impact in the finals.

59: Tyrone Peachey makes a break, but Euan Aitken pulls the rampaging forward down.

59: Penalty to Penrith. Soward elects to play on, positive attacking signs from the Panthers.

60: Dugan manages to stop Will Smith close to the tryline.

60: James Segeyaro has been held up over the line.

61: Sam McKendry loses the ball. Both sides ball control has been abysmal tonight!

64: Jamie Soward throws the ball into touch. Neither side can get their attack right tonight.

65: Benji Marshall comes up with a pass even worse than Soward's. It's as though both players were trying to come up with ways to ruin an attacking set.

66: Bryce Cartwright throws a forward pass straight to Mike Cooper.

66: Justin Hunt makes an enthusiastic charge out of his own half.

67: Mitch Rein leads the chase on Will Smith, and with the help of three other Dragons manage to trap the Panthers fullback in-goal. Line drop out.

69: SUCCESSFUL FIELD GOAL ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Field goal attempt by Benji Marshall successful.
They haven't been able to score tries, but that play might be enough to get the Dragons over the line. Great kick by Marshall.

70: Josh Mansour has been taken back in-goal. Great defence by the Dragons. It's been a lacklustre game up to this point, but the Dragons look to be rising at the right time.

71: Trent Merrin makes a mistake 20 metres out. Penrith get off the hook but will need to come up with points soon.

72: The Panthers look to put on an attacking raid, but Lewis Brown's final pass goes into touch.

74: Will Smith can't get pass Tyson Frizell as the Panthers start their set 20 metres out.

75: Penrith make another attacking raid, but once again the final pass goes to ground.

75: Penalty to the Dragons, Lewis Brown never got back onside from the previous play.

76: TRY ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Scored by Gareth Widdop. Kick to come.
Putting a grubber kick in for himself, Widdop dives over to seal the deal for the team with the Big Red V.

77: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Conversion attempt by Gareth Widdop successful.
That's the game. The Dragons will win and live to keep their September hopes alive.

78: Widdop kicks for Dylan Farrell, but Will Smith has batted the ball dead.

78: Soward comes up with a short restart to give the Panthers possession.

78: As has been the case all night, the team in possession comes up with an error.

79: Dylan Farrell can't get the ball over the tryline. The Panthers have been valiant as always, but there ball control has really let them down.

80: It's been a slog, but the Dragons have finally prevailed 19-12 over the Panthers.