Dragons do it easy over Tigers

v BYE

An in-form Dragons outfit trample over a weakened Wests Tigers, recording a 28-6 victory at ANZ Stadium.

The Dragons did not once look in trouble throughout the eighty minutes, whilst the Tigers appeared shut down from the beginning.

First points came from Jason Nightingale within the first ten minutes off a flick pass from Tim Lafai, Gareth Widdop converting to make it 6-0 - and not even 5 minutes later Nightingale went in to score his second, showing how weak the Tigers left hand side defence really was. This time the try went unconverted by Widdop. 

The Tigers looked to have scored their first try of the game in the 19th minute, but the bunker overruled a double knock on in favour of the Tigers, and after a handful of penalties and scrappy play, Jason Nightingale went in to score his third of the day, also unconverted by Widdop.

Today's home side once again had a try go to the Bunker, only to be ruled 'no try' due to an offside James Tedesco. Next, Tigers' winger David Nofoaluma saved a certain try to the Dragons, but in the lead up had knocked the ball on, giving the Dragons a repeat set in his own 20.

Jason Nightingale crossed for what would have been his fourth, but dropped the ball leading into half time with the Dragons leading 14-0, 40 minutes up.

The Tigers had finally scored their first try of the game within the first 10 minutes of the second half, shortening the buffer to eight points.

St George Illawarra continued to control the game comfortably, despite conceding the early second half try. In the 60th minute Josh Dugan was taken off suspected left hamstring strain, forcing Kurt Mann in fullback for the remaining 20 minutes. With the Tigers defence shutting down slowly, Cameron McInnes charged through the line, then Widdop grubbered for Lafai to score not long after.

Another messy attacking set from the Tigers in the 73rd minute was immediately followed by a Dragons try as they went the length, and Josh McCrone's grubber helped Nene Macdonald to a try.

For Leeson Ah Mau's 100th game, he capped the evening with a penalty goal right in front, the kicking duties left up to him to close the match out and record a 28-6 win for his side.

Next week the Dragons are hoping to continue their surprising early season form to Brookvale for a clash with the equally in-form Manly on Saturday, while later the same evening the last-placed Tigers' season doesn't get any easier with an away trip to Townsville against the Cowboys.