Rabbitohs roll through Dragons

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The South Sydney Rabbitohs have gone through the motions to defeat the St. George Illawarra Dragons 36-14 in front of a crowd of 21,071 at ANZ Stadium.

Andrew Everingham started off quickly with a race away off some great passes to give the Rabbitohs first points. Adam Reynolds converted from out wide to make it 6-0 after three minutes.

The Rabbitohs shifted the ball through Greg Inglis on the left side to send Nathan Merritt in for the first of his three four-pointers. Everingham was in the action to give the Rabbitohs the field position with a brilliant line break. Reynolds failed to convert, Souths 10-0 after ten minutes.

Not to be out done on the flanks, Brett Morris strolled over for the first of his double after the Dragons found possession deep in the Rabbitohs half. After 16 minutes, the Rabbitohs lead 10-4.

The video referee called upon to review Nathan Merritt's second try after he managed to ground the football off the kick from Reynolds. The try awarded and the Rabbitohs ahead by 12 points, 16-4 after 26 minutes.

A moment which caused a outrage from League fans saw Greg Inglis placed on report for head high contact on Dean Young. The shoulder charge saw Young stretched off the field in a neck brace. It was only a precautionary measure.

After the drama, the half time siren sounded minutes later to see the Rabbitohs 16 lead the Dragons 4.

Man of the moment, Greg Inglis posted first points second half with a simple try with a strong run to the line. Reynolds again pushed the conversion across the face of goal. Souths 20-4.
The video referee call in to review Matt King's possible try. It was awarded as King managed to ground the ball down despite the efforts from Jason Nightingale. Rabbitohs well ahead, 26-4 with 15 minutes to play.

The video referee call upon again, this time to review Matt King's possible try. It was awarded as King managed to ground the ball down despite the efforts from Jason Nightingale. Rabbitohs well ahead, 26-4 with 15 minutes to play. 
 
A back and forth affair began in the final minutes with two tries apiece.  
 
Ben Creagh posted his four-pointer as the Dragons hit back with a razzle-dazzle left side of the field play. Soward stabbed a quick conversion attempt, Rabbitohs 26-10. 
 
The Dragons defence lapsed again as John Sutton busted the line to crash over the whitewash with a simple try to extend the lead to 32-10. 
 
When in possession, the Dragons played with some confidence and with a wonderful pass from Nightingale saw Brett Morris roll through the defence to claim his second. Inside the final five minutes, the Rabbitohs reminded leaders, 32-14. 
 
In a sign that the Rabbitohs were in the game to play the full 80 minutes. Nathan Merritt backed in support to finish off Reynolds' 70 metre line break. He nailed the conversion to bring up the full time score, 36-14. 
 
The Dragons will hope to bounce back as they return to WIN Stadium in Wollongong to host the struggling Melbourne Storm. Meanwhile, the Rabbitohs will open ANZ Stadium once again to battle with the Wests Tigers.

Match Details
South Sydney Rabbitohs 36 defeated St George Illawarra Dragons 14
National Rugby League - Round 20 - Saturday July 21, 2012 7:30pm
Venue: ANZ Stadium
Referee: Tony Archer and Gavin Morris
Video Referee: Sean Hampstead
Touch Judges: Jeff Younis and Adam Gee
Crowd: 21,071
Halftime: South Sydney Rabbitohs 16 St George Illawarra Dragons 4

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Adam Reynolds (5 Conversions)
2 Points - Nathan Merritt (3 Tries)
1 Point - Michael Crocker

SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS (36)
Tries: John Sutton, Greg Inglis, Matt King, Nathan Merritt (3), Andrew Everingham
Conversions: Adam Reynolds (4/7)

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS (14)
Tries: Ben Creagh, Brett Morris (2)
Conversions: Jamie Soward (1/3)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary Welcome to League Unlimited's coverage LIVE from ANZ Stadium with South Sydney Rabbitohs hosting the St. George Illawarra Dragons.

In TEAM NEWS: Dragons are 1 through 12; Jack de Belin starts in place of Young (benched). Nathan Fien OUT, Jake Marketo added to bench in jersey 18.

Rabbitohs - Eddy Pettybourne, Nathan Peats start in place of Luke Burgess and Issac Luke (OUT). Ben Lowe and Dave Tyrrell added to bench
We are moments away from kick off here at ANZ Stadium, both sides going through their final preparations in the sheds.
1 min: We are UNDERWAY at ANZ Stadium with the Rabbitohs kicking off to give the Dragons first use of the ball
3 min: TRY
TRY! South Sydney Rabbitohs
Andrew Everingham races away off some great passes from his teammates. A simple line break from Souths gives them field position to claim first points. Adam Reynolds struck it well to convert from out wide.
South Sydney Rabbitohs 6-0
7 min: Zero tackle for the Dragons, Michael Crocker ruled to have played at Hornby's kick. The Dragons on the attack inside the Souths 30 metre line.
10 min: TRY
TRY! South Sydney Rabbitohs
Nathan Merritt has scored off the back of a great shifting play from Inglis. The Rabbitohs got in position to score after a brilliant line break and run from Andrew Everingham. Adam Reynolds with the conversion attempt pushed it across the face.
South Sydney Rabbitohs 10-0
13 min: KNOCK ON! Off a beautiful run from Dave Taylor who made a line break offloaded to Andrew Everingham who failed to take the ball clean. He dropped it and the Dragons have possession off a scrum feed on their 20 metre line.
14 min: Bad to worse for Souths, penalty to the Dragons against Dave Taylor for holding down in the ruck. The free kick from Soward finds the touchline just shy of half way.
14 min: Eddy Pettybourne has been cut open and gone to the blood bin behind the play as the Dragons attack 30 metres from the Rabbitohs line.
16 min: TRY
TRY! St. George Illawarra Dragons
Daniel Vidot held up over the goal line, Merritt did well to stop him. But on the last the Dragons spread it to the right and found Jason Nightingale who threw the beautiful pass to Brett Morris to stroll over. Jamie Soward failed to convert with a widen conversion.
South Sydney Rabbitohs 10-4
19 min: PENALTY! Dragons earn another penalty as Dave Taylor again holds down the play of the ball. They march up field off the kick restart to attack inside the Rabbitohs 30 metre line.
20 min: Another penalty to the Dragons, they now attack deep in the Souths half.
21 min: Forward pass called against the Dragons, they cough up possession. The Rabbitohs with the ball through a scrum feed on their 10 metre line.
23 min: KNOCK ON! Chase Stanley in the tackle failed to hold on to the ball. The Rabbitohs pack another scrum deep in their half, they have possession on their 20 metre line.
24 min: Penalty awarded to the Rabbitohs against Ben Creagh for failing to clear the ruck. That is the first penalty to the Rabbitohs. Free kick taken which finds them attack on the Dragons 30 metre line.
25 min: Video Referee for the Rabbitohs. Possible for Nathan Merritt
26 min: TRY
TRY! South Sydney Rabbitohs
Nathan Merritt is awarded the try after he managed to ground the ball off the kick. Adam Reynolds with an easier attempt at conversion added the two points.
South Sydney Rabbitohs 16-4
30 min: There is some concern for Adam Reynolds after taking Jason Nightingale in a tackle after he took the bomb.
31 min: KNOCK ON! Daniel Vidot ruled to have knocked on in the contest for the ball in the corner. Souths survive and attack out of their red zone.
32 min: We will need a review of this play. Greg Inglis collected Dean Young high with the elbow
32 min: Dean Young is still down and will be stretched off the field. Greg Inglis will be placed on report at this stage
32 min: Greg Inglis very lucky to stay on the field. He was placed on report and the penalty given to the Dragons.
36 min: Video Referee denied Chase Stanley after he slide in goal. He was held up by Greg Inglis before he could get over the line.
39 min: KNOCK ON! Matt Prior knocked it on as he contested the kick. Souths get the ball off the change over.
40 min: HALF TIME at ANZ Stadium: South Sydney 16 lead St. George Illawarra 4
Both sides returning from the sheds ahead of the second half here at ANZ Stadium. Kick off moments away
41 min: We are back for the second half with the Dragons kick off.
48 min: Penalty to the Dragons against Michael Crocker for taking out Ben Hornby after the kick. Massive chance for the Dragons attacking inside the Souths 20 metre line.
48 min: Penalty to the Dragons against Michael Crocker for taking out Ben Hornby after the kick. Massive chance for the Dragons attacking inside the Souths 20 metre line.
49 min: Chase Stanley looked for the line but lost the ball short of the line. Souths with the ball with a scrum feed on their 10 metre line.
50 min: Penalty against Jason Nightingale for having a second dig in the tackle. Adam Reynolds finds the line and the Rabbitohs have possession.
52 min: Another penalty to the Rabbitohs after a high shot on Sam Burgess. They attack 30 metres out from the Dragons line.
54 min: TRY
TRY! South Sydney Rabbitohs
Greg Inglis strolls through the line to extend. A very simple four-pointer for Inglis. Adam Reynolds pushed the kick wide and no goal.
South Sydney Rabbitohs 20-4
60 min: Penalty to the Rabbitohs. They attacking on the Dragons 10 metre line.
61 min: VIDEO REFEREE for the Rabbitohs. Possible try for the Rabbitohs, looking at a knock on
63 min: TRY
TRY! South Sydney Rabbitohs
Matt King powers through the line and managed to ground the ball without losing it. Adam Reynolds converts.
South Sydney Rabbitohs 26-4
66 min: TRY
TRY! St George Illawarra Dragons
Ben Creagh hit back for the Dragons quickly after the Rabbitohs try as the Dragons spread the ball to the left side to score. Soward with a quick conversion attempt closed the gap.
South Sydney Rabbitohs 26-10
70 min: TRY
TRY! South Sydney Rabbitohs
John Sutton with a step crashed over the line for the Rabbitohs, a simple play extend the lead. Reynolds converts
South Sydney Rabbitohs 32-10
75 min: TRY
TRY! St George Illawarra Dragons
Brett Morris received a wonderful pass from Jason Nightingale as the Dragons spread it to the right side of the field. He collected his second of the night. Jamie Soward failed to convert as he stabbed it quickly.
South Sydney Rabbitohs 32-14
78 min: TRY
TRY! South Sydney Rabbitohs
Nathan Merritt strolled through the line to claim his hat trick for the game. A wonderful result after Adam Reynolds broke the line and ran 70 metres up field. Reynolds missed the kick on the full time siren
South Sydney Rabbitohs 36-14
80 min: FULL TIME at ANZ Stadium: South Sydney Rabbitohs 36 have powered through the Dragons 14 in front of 21,071

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