Young steers Saints to victory in Penrith

Round 14
Penrith Panthers 10 v St George Illawarra Dragons 20
at CUA Stadium Penrith
Referee: Jarred Maxwell

Match Summary:
St George Illawarra Dragons utility Dean Young has turned on a sensational first half display to set up a 20-10 victory over the Penrith Panthers this evening.

With heavy rain falling on CUA Stadium, the match was played in slippery conditions with the second half in particular seeing a number of handling errors.

The game started awkwardly for the Dragons when forward Corey Payne and stand-in centre Ben Creagh collided after just two minutes of play. Both players were concussed and forced from the field with only Creagh returning later in the match. Payne's head gash was described by trainers as one of the worst ever seen as the Dragons bench was reduced to three men. This added to the Dragons woes with a number of players already missing through injury, suspension and representative duties.

Despite this, St George Illawarra opened the scoring with hooker Aaron Gorrell slotting a penalty goal in the fourth minute. Saints extended their lead four minutes later when Young sold a dummy from close range to score under the posts.

With several minutes remaining in the first half, Young was again on hand to break through, 10 metres on his own side of half way. With support on both sides, Young found Matt Bickerstaff on the inside. The back rower, still with plenty of work to do, ran 30 metres to touch down next to the uprights. The successful conversion from Gorrell saw the Dragons enjoying a 14-0 lead.

But just before the break, Penrith struck back with five eighth Preston Campbell finding room around the ruck before offloading to forward Luke Swain. At half time, it was 14-6 in favour of the Dragons.

The second half saw both sides trying to graft out territory as the rain got heavier. A try to Dragons centre Daryl Millard just after the break put the visitors up by 20-6.

The Panthers were kept in the match and had their opportunities. But poor handling at crucial moments, and a soild Dragons defence, saw time eventually run out for the home side.

A consolation try in the 75th minute to winger Luke Rooney narrowed the score line to 20-10, but did little for Panthers as they crashed to their third loss in a row.

The result sees the Panthers side slip to 12th position on the NRL ladder with a bye coming up next round. Meanwhile St George Illawarra will celebrate what can be described as an ugly win but will enjoy a top eight position at the conclusion of this round. Next week the Dragons travel to Brisbane to take on the Broncos.

Scorers:
Penrith Panthers: 10
Tries: Luke Rooney, Luke Swain
Goals: Preston Campbell 1/2
St George Illawarra Dragons: 20
Tries: Dean Young, Matthew Bickerstaff, Daryl Millard
Goals: Aaron Gorrell 4/4

Crowd: 9,422

By the Clock:
Raining in Penrith.
The Dragons have a numerous injuries, two suspensions and two players on rep duties. They are as per the side named on Tuesday ( http://www.leagueunlimited.com/article.asp?ID=10897 )
The Panthers are fielding a strong side. However, fullback Rhys Wesser is a late withdrawal and will be replaced by Nick Youngquest. Forward Matt Cross is also out and will be replaced by Luke Swain. Penrith half back Craig Gower has been cleared of injury and is set to play.
Panthers will be kicking off...
Kickoff!

2 min: NEWS Dragons forward Corey Payne and centre Ben Creagh collide and are concussed. Both being forced from the field to have a few stitches.

4 min: PENALTY GOAL St George Illawarra Dragons
Aaron Gorrell kicks a penalty goal from right in front. Follws penalty against forward Craig Stapleton who was holding down Sheppard after he was involved in a bust upfield.
Dragons 2-0

5 min: NEWS from the sheds is that Dragons front rower Corey Payne is heavily concussed and unlikely to return.

8 min: TRY St George Illawarra Dragons
Dean Young dummies from close range and scores under the posts. Follows repeat sets to the Dragons. Gorrell converts.
Dragons 8-0

20 min: NEWS rain getting heavier. Saints looking the goods early on and having the better of field posiition and possession. Poor ball control not helping Penrith's cause.

21 min: NEWS Referee has a chat to Saints captain Ben Hornby as the penalty count favours the Panthers 4-1.

31 mim: NO TRY - video ref denies Chris Sheppard for the Dragons after he crashes over from dummy half. Deemed to have used Gorrell (playing the ball) as a shield. Penalty to the Panthers.

36 min: TRY St George Illawarra Dragons
Matt Bickerstaff scores for Saints, a 60m try next to the posts after Dean Young carves them up, making a bust and finding Bickestaff in support. Gorrell converts
Dragons 14-0

39 min: TRY Penrith Panthers
Panthers are on the board after Luke Swain receives a ball on the burst from Preston Campbell. Swain crashes over next to the posts. Follows a tremendous break from Campbell and a penalty in the same set. Campbell converts.
Dragons 14-6

Half time: Dragons 14-6
A late try has put Penrith back in the match after Saints have been the dominant team for most of the first half. Possession is fairly even although the Dragons are making more metres with the ball as the Panthers are missing a few too many tackles.
Completions are good for both sides and errors have evened up. Penrith enjoying a 7-3 penalty count.
Dean Young is in tremendous form and the best player on the paddock. Campbell and Luke Priddis looking dangerous for the Panthers.
The rain looks to have settled in.

Second half underway...

44 min: TRY St George Illawarra Dragons
Daryl Millard scores 15m wide of goal after running onto a neat grubber kick from Gorrell. Gorrell converts.
Dragons 20-6

47 min: NEWS Dragons forward Danny Wicks makes a sensational break, running some 70 metres. He almost goes all the way before the cover defence finally reels him in.

60 min: UPDATE Still 20-6 in favour of the Dragons. Penrith have come close a couple of times only to lose possession. Saints defending well but being kept honest for the last 10 minutes or so.

70 min: UPDATE Penrith still unable to complete their opportunities and need to score three times in 10 minutes, which doesn't look like happening. Dragons chancing their hand more and continue to find space on the fringes of the ruck.

75 min: TRY Penrith Panthers
Luke Rooney scores in the corner following sustained pressure, the Dragons' line finally cracking. Presto unable to convert and 10 points is the difference.
Dragons 20-10

FULL TIME: Dragons finshing strongly and make another line break on the bell, Hornby kicks ahead and a Panthers player is on hand to kick it dead.
Saints win 20-10 to post their fourth consecutive victory while the Panthers suffer their third loss in a row.
Match was played in slippery conditions with ample dropped ball in the second half. But overall, the Dragons simply outplayed Penrith. Helped by a 12-5 penalty count, the Panthers had their chances with Saints having to do more tackling. But St George Illawarra looked better with the ball and made a heap more metres when in possession, especially up the middle.
Penrith hooker Luke Priddis, front rower Joel Clinton and five eighth Preston Campbell were the best in a losing side. Half back Craig Gower looked contained.
Dragons utility Dean Young was our man of the match as he dominated the first half. Half back Ben Hornby also showed plenty of class as did hooker Aaron Gorrell. Special mention to rookie front rower Danny Wicks who continues to impress for the Dragons.
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Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 - Dean Young (Dragons)
2 - Ben Hornby (Dragons)
1 - Aaron Gorrell (Dragons)
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