In a match where both sides and match officials deserve a medal for playing through almost cyclonic conditions, the St George Illawarra Dragons have continued their unbeaten start to the season with a 10-0 victory over the Parramatta Eels.
The game started in pretty good conditions and the Dragons were able to dominate possession and field position although they were only able to cross for the one try, and even then despite all the ball that the Red ‘V' had, it came through luck when a poor pass from Eels hooker Quincy Dodd should've been intercepted by Botille Vette-Welsh, but was knocked on and Pearson picked it up to score. She then converted her own try.
Words cannot do justice to the conditions of the second half, as conditions deteriorated significantly with torrential rain and gale force winds coming in off the coast, with almost 40mm of rain being dumped on WIN Stadium during the second half. The conditions didn't lend themselves to attacking Rugby League and despite some strong opportunities the conditions in Wollongong didn't lend themselves to attack.
The only points in the second half came off the boot of Rachael Pearson, who kicked two penalty goals late in the half when the conditions were at their worst extending the lead to 8-0 after the Eels were called offside by Belinda Sharpe and then after a slow ruck to make it 10-0. The Dragons did look as if they had crossed once more though it was knocked back by the officials for a knock-on.
Next weekend both sides head to Parramatta, with the Dragons taking on the Broncos on Sunday morning whilst it will be a historic moment for the Eels as they take on the Gold Coast Titans in their first game - on the same day as the two men's sides play in front of what will be a big crowd at CommBank.