SPEED OF DRAGON THE DIFFERENCE FOR SAINTS
ST GEORGE Illawarra coach Paul McGregor thought youngster Matt Dufty might drop his head when he dropped the ball early against Canberra.
Instead the fullback electrified a surprisingly lacklustre Dragons side with two moments of individual brilliance in a tense 25-18 win in Mudgee as they maintained their competition lead.
Scores were locked at 18all with 10 minutes to go yesterday when 22-year-old Dufty burnt four defenders on a scything 50m run for a match-clinching try that brought the Mudgee crowd of 8962 to their feet.
Dufty had earlier played a hand in another long-range try for Gareth Widdop.
He was also involved in two first-half incidents that twice resulted in crucial Widdop penalty goals and a Raiders player reported on both occasions.
Canberra had a couple of shots on the Dragons line to force golden point late, however, Widdop sealed a seven-point win with a 77thminute field goal.
“He (Dufty) came up with a few errors but it’s great to see he didn’t go into being quiet and, for a young bloke, that’s really pleasing because he’s still learning his craft at fullback,” McGregor said.
“I thought Duff at different stages really grew and got us back in the game through sheer brilliance.
“He had a mixed day but he certainly makes a point of difference with that speed.”
The Raiders were leading 12-10 when Dragons No.9 Cameron McInnes scooted out of dummy half and hit a surging Jack De Belin, who found a supporting Dufty before kicking ahead for Widdop.