Debutants delight in Dragons win

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St George Illawarra Dragons v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

It wasn't pretty - in fact it was downright awful at times - but the St George Illawarra Dragons have downed the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 32-12 at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.

In a match unlikely to linger in the annals of rugby league history, the home side - wearing heritage jerseys in recognition of the inaugural 1921 St George Dragons team - scored six tries to two with debutants Mat Feagai and Junior Amone crossing for four-pointers in the second half.

In one of the most punishing spectacle of football seen this season, errors and missed tackles plagued both teams during the opening half with the Dragons committing eight errors and 17 missed tackles, while the Bulldogs fared even worse with six errors, 21 missed tackles and producing a string of dismal attacking options epistomised by Kyle Flanagan overpowering a kick on the first tackle ten metres out from the try line.

In the only scoring play of the opening 40 minutes, the Dragons took advantage of good field position with Jack Bird delivering a nice inside pass that allowed Matt Dufty (22nd minute) to use his speed and footwork to cross underneath the posts.

Coming out of the sheds with improved discipline and ball handling, the Dragons gave Mat Feagai (51st minute) a debut to remember alongside his twin brother, Max, as Ben Hunt sent the 20-year-old winger over for a try.

Appearing to deliver the knock-out blow with Bird showing determination to pounce on a Hunt grubber, the bunker overturned the try after replays showed the centre failed to properly ground the ball - however the respite was short lived for the Bulldogs with Will Hopoate sent to the sin bin for a professional foul.

Delivering a belated knock-out through Paul Vaughan (55th minute), the flood gates opened with Norman (61st minute) and Dufty (63rd minute) taking the scoreline from 10-0 to 28-0 in Hopoate's absence.

The Bulldogs managed to avoid another shutout with an unexpected consolation try to Renouf Atoni (67th minute), however the home side finished with a bang as Junior Amone (70th minute) put himself in the right spot to cross for a try on debut.

A late intercept to Nick Meaney (73rd minute) rounded out the scoring as the Dragons ran out 32-12 winners to move into outright sixth position on 10 competition points.

Next week during Magic Round at Suncorp Stadium, the Dragons face the Storm on Sunday afternoon, while the Bulldogs take on the Raiders on Saturday afternoon.