Dragons batter Bulldogs, Storm launch stirring second-half fightback

Omnisport

Dragons batter Bulldogs, Storm launch stirring second-half fightback image

St George Illawarra Dragons' surge up the NRL table continues after beating Canterbury Bulldogs 31-6 to make it four wins on the bounce. 

A sluggish start to the season that saw the Dragons lose their opening two games has been firmly banished by an emphatic response, with victory on Sunday leaving Paul McGregor's men fourth.  

First-half tries from Josh Dugan, Peter Mata'utia and Tyson Frizell put the hosts in firm control at ANZ Stadium, Benji Marshall catching the eye with an influential display.  

Frizell later became embroiled in controversy with the score at 18-6 as he caught Tim Browne with a high tackle that resulted in the forward leaving the field on a stretcher.

Referee Ben Cummins placed Frizell on report, although triggered instant criticism for not sending him off, before Joel Thompson and Euan Aitken both went over as the Dragons wrapped up a routine win. 

A gutsy second-half fightback meant Melbourne Storm were 14-10 victors at Canberra Raiders in the day's other game. 

Second-placed Storm, without injured star man Billy Slater, trailed 10-2 after 29 minutes as wing Jeremy Hawkins went over and Jarrod Croker slotted over the conversion as well as two penalties. 

But two tries in four minutes turned the game on its head as Mahe Fonua and Cameron Munster crossed, with Cameron Smith making no mistake adding the extras.

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