Match Details
Match Date	31st Aug, 2001
Opponent	St George Illawarra
Result	Win 24-22
Coach	Steven Folkes
Captain	Craig Polla-Mounter
Venue	Sydney Football Stadium
Crowd	20,123
Referee	Paul Simpkins

Finals football is set to be upon us, with a great game of Rugby League between the Dragons and the Dogs at the SFS. The Dragons started the game on fire, having 3 consecutive set of six, but the Bulldogs defence was to strong and the Dragons were unable to get across.

Early in the game Bulldogs captain Craig Polla Mounter was taken off with suspected broken ribs after a tackle on Jason Ryles.

The Bulldogs scored first after a grubber kick that was put through to Dragons fullback Amos Roberts who fumbled the ball and Rod Silva cleaned it up to score in the corner, in his first game of the year. After 2 minutes waiting for Hazem El Masri to attempt the conversion, he missed with the Bulldogs leading 4-0 after 10 minutes.

The Dragons were on the board only 5 minutes later when Wayne Bartrim plotted a penalty goal to put the Dragons behind by 2.

The Bulldogs scored their second try when Nigel Vagana, crossed for his first of 3 tries. El Masri kicked the goal from wide out to give the Dogs a 10-2 lead.

The Dragons yet again got on the board through the boot, this time of Amos Roberts. Roberts kicked the goal just before half time closing the lead to 10-4.

The Dragons had all the possession in the first half, but failed to convert the opportunities into points.

Just after the half-time break, Bulldogs giant Willie Mason was put on report for a high tackle on Dragons prop Jason Ryles. Amos Roberts missed the penalty attempt.

Corey Hughes set up Nigel Vagana for a try after some good work. El Masri kicked the goal to take the Bulldogs tally up to 16.

Some Amos Roberts magic from dummy-half on the last tackle put Jason Hooper over the line adjacent to the posts, to put the Dragons back into the match at 16-10. El Masri landed a penalty goal to put the game just of the Dragons grasp at 18-10

Another break by Amos Roberts from dummy half found the markers napping once again. He came to the full back Luke Patten and gave the ball to a flying Trent Barrett who put the Dragons back into the match after a Wayne Bartrim conversation. The Dragons were behind by just 2 points now. 18-16

Nigel Vagana scored his hat-trick of tries after another missed tackle by the Dragons defence outwide to put the game way beyond doubt. El Masri kicked the goal to make the score 24-16

Mark Gasnier crossed late in the corner and Wayne Bartrim kicked the goal to make the score 24-22.

An amazing tackle count made by Jamie Feeney who made 47 tackles.

The loss means that the Dragons are more then likely set to play Parramatta on Sunday at Parramatta Stadium.

Source: www.rleague.com

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