Latest News St George Illawarra 38 South Sydney 24
| St George Illawarra 38 South Sydney 24 |
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| Sunday, 05 September 2010 21:23 |
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By Ben Horne - Minor premiers St George Illawarra will face Manly in the first week of the final series after ending South Sydney's season with a comprehensive 38-24 victory at WIN Jubilee Oval. Second-rower Ben Creagh scored a hat-trick of tries inside the first 18 minutes as the Dragons raced out to 24-6 half-time lead.
Souths threatened a comeback in the second half, and closed to within 14 points with 15 minutes to go before a converted try to stand-in captain Matt Cooper sealed the result and the Rabbitohs fate.
Souths were given a chance to secure eighth spot earlier in the day when Canterbury-Bankstown upstaged Manly 30-24 at Brookvale Oval. The Rabbitohs butchered several chances to make the finals in the last two months of the competition, although a heavy injury toll didn't help. They tried hard against the Dragons, but were outclassed by a team who will start the play-offs as comfortable title favourites despite their reputation for folding under pressure. Creagh's first try in the sixth minute came after a smart last-tackle play down the left side of the field. Creagh collected again off a kick shortly after and completed his treble in the 17th minute when Nathan Fien gave him a well-timed short ball. Souths stayed alive with a first-half try to Fetuli Talanoa and back-to-back four-pointers in the second half to Jamie Simpson and Dylan Farrell. The Dragons' only worry is second-rower Beau Scott who was put on report for a late shot on Chris Sandow in the 60th minute |