The Brisbane Broncos have held onto top spot of the NRLW ladder following their 22-18 victory over a spirited St George Illawarra Dragons side at Parramatta.
Both sides came into the contest sitting at 2/2 although the Dragons were missing three key players through injury which was expected to hamper their performance. The Broncos were able to cross for the first try of the afternoon when Tallisha Harden was on the spot to collect a deflected grubber from Lauren Brown at dummy half to score.
The Broncos went close a number of times again but it was the Dragons who scored as Keele Browne was able to get over as the Red ‘V' went left and found the gap in the line to score and level the scores after Rachael Pearson's conversion.
Neither side were able to get a sense of dominance over the other and it was the Broncos who hit back soon after with some more luck off the boot. Tarryn Aiken was in the right stop after an awkward bouncing ball caused all sorts of issues at the back for the Dragons and and Aiken plucked the ball from Emma Tonegato's hands to score.
Trailing 12-6 at the break, the Dragons were able to level the scores with some beautiful play set up by Page McGregor who drew defenders in with her dummy and then the long pass gave Shaylee Bent space on the outside and the second rower raced away to score.
Repeat sets put pressure on the Dragons defence and they took their toll when the Broncos were able to create space out wide and it was Emily Bass who was able to get over in the corner. A beautifully struck conversion from Lauren Brown pushed the lead back out to six.
The Dragons weren't giving up without a fight and it was Elsie Albert who charged onto an inside ball from Quincy Dodd to score the third for the Red ‘V' when the PNG Orchids captain scored.
Strength and class ended up prevailing for the Broncos when they were able to score inside the final five minutes as repeat set pressure again mounted on the Dragons and it told when Hagiga Mosby was on the outside of her defender and crossed in the corner. Lauren Brown pushed the conversion wide but it didn't matter.
The Broncos next week have their first Queensland Derby against the Gold Coast at Cbus Stadium whilst the Dragons head up to Newcastle to take on the Knights.