Broncos victors in Steelers Heritage Clash

Fulltime score: Round 6 Broncos 34 v Dragons 24

Match summary:

17,287 supporters at WIN Stadium to watch the Steelers Heritage Clash against the Broncos were disappointed when their team wearing the traditional Steelers jersey, were defeated by a fired up Broncos side 34-24.

The Dragons back to full strength for the match, played hard and played fast right throughout the match. The loss for the Broncos of Karmichael Hunt early in the match, looked to be a major setback, however they managed to hold together well against some dynamic plays from the home side, and held a narrow lead at halftime by 14-12.

The second half was set to be a thriller right until the final whistle. Unfortunately for the home side, a fairytale finish was not on the cards as the Broncos defence held fast and their playmakers started to find holes in the tiring Dragons defence.

A well derserved victory to the Broncos, but a hard fought win as the Dragons took them to the wire.

Score details: DRAGONS 24 Tries: Thompson, Cooper, Timmins, Payne Goals: Head 4/4 BRONCOS 34 Tries: Bott 3, Carroll, S Berrigan, Seymour, Tate Goals: Lockyer 3/7

WIN Stadium, Crowd 17,287 Referee: Stephen Clark

By the clock:

A beautiful day at WIN Stadium for today's match

0 min: Kick off in front of a packed house. Line dropout for the Dragons for their first play of the match

2nd min: TRY - DRAGONS A penalty to the Dragons on the 2nd tackle resulting in excellent field position for the home side. Great hands and Thompson bursts over the line. Head with an excellent kick adds the 2 points. Dragons 6-0

6th min: NEWS - Hunt (Broncos) hit high by Timmons close to the line. Placed on report, penalty to the Broncos 10 metres out

9th min: NO TRY - BRONCOS Brilliant defence by Thompson keeps Stagg from scoring when the Broncos are hot on attack. Dragons still lead 6-0

15th min: NEWS - No change in the scoreline after the early try by the Dragons with solid defence keeping out the Broncos

16th min: TRY - DRAGONS A nice little kick through by Head on the fifth tackle looked to be under control, but a solid tackle pops the ball away from the Bronco defender and Cooper runs away to score. Head converts from out in front. Dragons 12-0

21st min: NEWS - The Dragons at this stage looking real good on defence nullifying anything the Broncos are throwing at them, and that is a lot

24th min: TRY - BRONCOS Finally the Broncos manage to cross the line with Bott crossing over out wide followinG an excellent build up by the Broncos. Lockyer misses the conversion much to the delight of the crowd. Dragons 12-4

29th min: TRY - BRONCOS Hot on attack, Tate under all sorts of pressure manages to kick the ball in field for Carroll to chase and score. Lockyer converts. Dragons 12-10

36th min: TRY - BRONCOS The Broncos have stepped up a gear since their last try and although the Dragons defence is strong, the Broncos winger Bott scores his 2nd of the afternoon. Lockyer misses the conversion. Broncos 14-12

HALFTIME: A great contest at WIN Stadium with both sides playing some exciting football. Broncos hold a narrow lead by 14-12

Second half underway..

44th min: NEWS - A solid start by both sides to start the half

48th min: TRY - DRAGONS An exciting end to end game, inside passes proving fruitful for the Dragons. A great inside pass from the touchline by Best sets up Timmons to score. Head converts. Dragons 18-14

54th min: TRY - BRONCOS Shaun Berrigan scores a try for the Broncos after some very hard work to get to the line, the scrambling defence of the Dragons making things tough. Lockyer's kick hitting the post and going over. Broncos 24-18

60th min: TRY - BRONCOS Shaun Berrigan jinking and jiving through the opposition sets up the play for Bott to net a hat-trick after once more going on the outside of Best. Lockyer from the sideline, misses the conversion. Broncos 26-18

64th min: TRY - BRONCOS The visitors have stepped up a gear, the defence of the Dragons starting to leave gaps that before now weren't there. Seymour slips through one to score close to the posts. Lockyer converts. Broncos 30-18

68th min: TRY - DRAGONS The Dragons players haven't given up. Payne from off the bench was set on heading for the line, twisted and turned his way through the opposition to score. Head from out in front, converts. Broncos 30-24

72nd min: NEWS - The Dragons are hitting back hard determined to even up the scoreline. However the Broncos defence are just as determined to hold them out, a great finish coming up

75th min: NEWS - A field goal by Lockyer is foiled by a charge down. A seemingly bad call by the official gives the Broncos great field position. Broncos lead 30-24

78th min: NEWS - A cruel bounce of the ball foils a certain try for Best (Dragons) following a great little kick in goal by Head

80th min: TRY - BRONCOS The ball not favouring anyone as it dribbles around on the ground 20 metres out from the Broncos line. Tate is about the only one able to control it and goes over for the try. Lockyer's kick is a shocker. Broncos 34-24

FULLTIME: Disappointing for the Dragons fans, however the Broncos played well enough to come away with the victory by 34-24

----------------------------------------- Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 - B Thorn (Broncos ) 2 - P Civoniceva (Broncos) 1 - S Berrigan (Broncos) -----------------------------------------