Two tries in the final three minutes handed the Dragons a memorable 20-16 win over Wests Tigers in the NRLW at CommBank Stadium on Saturday.
After a try to Zali Hopkins levelled the scores in the 68th minute the ball went wide to winger Margot Vella for the match-winner with 30 seconds to play to secure the Dragons their second win of the season.
It was Wests Tigers that struck first through dummy-half Ebony Prior who darted over from close range followed by a successful conversion from Pauline Piliae-Rasabale to make it 6-0.
A few sets later, a penalty marched the Wests Tigers back down field where Rikeya Horne crashed over out wide through a powerful run to give Brett Kimmorley's team a 10-point lead.
The Dragons hit back 10 minutes later through a lofted pass from Tyla Nathan-Wong sending Bobbi Law over in the 26th minute. Dragons skipper Raecene McGregor added the extras to bring the score to 10-6.
Rikeya Horne try 15th minute
Wests Tigers continuously threatened for the remainder of the half and it was Kezie Apps scoring at close range against her old club to give the home side a 16-6 lead at the break.
The Dragons started the half defensively strong and were rewarded for their efforts when Wests Tigers lock Najvada George was placed in the sin bin for a professional foul after Teagan Berry had taken a quick tap and caught the Tigers offside.
It took until the last minute of George’s sin bin that the Dragons could capitalise with Ella Koster scoring her first try in the NRLW to reduce the margin to 16-10 with 15 minutes to play.
Kezie Apps makes NRLW history
The Dragons were finishing hard and it was Hopkins pouncing to score after Piliae-Rasabale had spilled a Raecene McGregor grubber. Jamilee Bright's conversion levelled the scores at 16-16.
A costly penalty from Apps and error from Emily Curtain helped the visitors late and with 30 seconds to play the Dragons completed a superb comeback when Vella crossed in the left corner and the Red V were home 20-16.
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Match Snapshot
- Wests Tigers halfback Emily Curtain was placed on report in the 26th minute for a dangerous tackle.
- Dragons forward Tara McGrath-West left the field in the 49th minute for a HIA after a head clash which she passed.
- Wests Tigers second-rower Kezie Apps became the first forward to score in four consecutive NRLW matches.
- Wests Tigers winger Jakiya Whitfeld busted 11 tackles and ran for 185 metres in a powerful display.
Ella Koster try 51st minute
- Wests Tigers prop Christian Pio ran for 145 metres in the first half and finished the game with 157 metres and 25 tackles.
- Wests Tigers lock Najvada George was sent to the sin bin for a professional foul in the 43rd minute.
- Dragons fullback Teagan Berry continued her stellar season with 206 run metres.
- Dragons props Alexis Tauaneai and Tara McGrath-West combined for 30 runs and 301 metres.
Play of the Game
Coming across from rugby union in the off-season, Margot Vella has been a revelation for the Dragons with her fourth NRLW try in as many games and her most important for the Red V on the siren.
Margot Vella wins the game for the Dragons
What they Said
"It was very, very tough to lose. We did some really good things and played some good attacking footy in the first half, had a good lead and then the second half was very similar to last week, unfortunately. We made a few mistakes at crucial moments. I thought we defended really well when we had 12 on the field for about nine-and-a-half minutes of that period and then we made some poor crucial errors and decisions at the end of the game. We have got to make sure we learn from them and we don't do the same every week in a row otherwise it is going to keep hurting us like it did," - Wests Tigers coach Brett Kimmorley
Wests Tigers: Round 5
"I am just super proud. We were super resilient in that second half. Two weeks in a row, we haven't played the best in the first half but ... I'm emotional, I love it. I hate it, but I love it. Everyone says they don't look at the ladder but everyone does and we knew this game was a semi-final for us. I am just proud of the girls that they get a result after hanging in there. We deserved to win the game today and we did," - Dragons coach Jamie Soward
Dragons: Round 5
What's Next
The Tigers face the Roosters at Allianz Stadium in Round 6 while the Dragons are at home to the Titans at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.