A Dragons side desperately clinging to hope of a finals finish, have proved too good in beating the Sharks 38-18 in their round 22 clash at PointsBet Stadium.
Missing a handful of players due to injury, it was a patched up Sharks side which couldn't match the Dragons in what was a disappointing result just three weeks out from the Jersey Flegg finals.
The Sharks failed to counter the St George firepower through the middle and the Dragons outside men were able to take advantage in scoring six tries to three in the comprehensive victory.
The match began well enough for the Cronulla side when Jayden Millard posted first points with an individual effort, the five eighth collecting his own chip kick to touch down.
Jonah Ngarona converted and the Sharks were up 6-0 early.
Fighting for their finals survival the Dragons bit back, two tries in the next period of the game, the first a long range effort following a line break through the middle of the Sharks ruck, the second when some soft defence saw prop Eddie Blacker crash over from close range and after both four-pointers were converted the Dragons led 12-6.
On the stroke of half time the Sharks managed to respond, a long break down the eastern side was finished off by Cooper Bowen and with Jayden Millard, assuming the kicking role after Ngarona was forced off with injury, adding the extras it sent the teams to the break locked at 12-all
The Dragons emerged from the sheds undaunted by the late Sharks try and would go back in front, Sam McCann crossing and with the subsequent sideline conversion it was 18-12 to the visitors.
Again the Sharks were able to bounce back, Bowen capitalising on an error in the in goal from the Dragons with his second try for the Sharks and when Millard again was on target with the kick the scores were level again at 18-all.
From there however a couple of errors and a Dragons team showing more energy and determination managed to edge in front, two tries, one from a kick and the second to five eighth Tyran Wishart put the St George side up 30-18 with 16 minutes of the match remaining.
A penalty goal and a late Dragons try finished the scoring with the Sharks, first on the competition table going into the weekend of matches, now needing to regroup as they try to consolidate a place in the top four.
SHARKS 18
Cooper Bowen 2, Jayden Millard tries, Millard 2, Jonah Ngarona goals
lost to
DRAGONS 38
