Dragons go top of the table

ST George Illawarra has gone two points clear at the top of the NRL ladder after accounting for Manly 32-8.

Six Dragons scored tries in yesterday’s comprehensive WIN Stadium display.

Halfback Ben Hunt set up two and his troops were resolute in defence – particularly on his right edge.

Crucially, all six State of Origin stars taking part got through the game unscathed, with Sea Eagle Tom Trbojevic causing the only scare when he reached out to attempt to score during the second half.

He stayed down clutching at his shoulder but played on and looked pain free by fulltime.

The win puts the Dragons two points beyond both South Sydney and Penrith headed into the representative round, after which all three teams will feel the pinch of Origin and Test football.

After Manly fought hard to keep itself in the match at 10-8 down just before the break, Tariq Sims provided the crucial blow when he beat several defenders to cross and give the Dragons’ an eight-point buffer.

The lead quickly extended to 14 just after the break when Hunt grubbered out of dummy-half for a chasing Gareth Widdop to score.

James Graham also got one to put the match beyond doubt following a 50m Jack de Belin break.

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA 32 (J Graham T Lafai N MacDonald K Mann T Sims G Widdop tries G Widdop 4 goals) bt MANLY 8 (T Wright try T Hodkinson 2 goals) at WIN Stadium