The St George Illawarra Dragons reached the half-century in points as they put the Kaiviti Silktails to the sword 50-12 at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium in Round Three Jersey Flegg Cup action today.
Four tries to fullback Benjamin Rumble and double to halfback Ashton Ward, who also kicked seven from nine conversions, underpinned the Dragons bulging score sheet.
The Silktails won the penalty count 6-3 but handling errors let them down in the first half.
They did not touch the ball for over 15 minutes allowing the Dragons to use that wealth of possession wisely and score four tries in 10 minutes.
It gave the Dragons a 22-6 hafltime lead and set up the victory.
The Silktails – coached by former Dragons outside back Wes Naiqama – defended more stoutly in the second half and were unlucky not to post more points with winger Kelevi Tuilomaniwai held up over the line and second rower Fenton Williams denied through an obstruction.
Their two tries came from lock Senivalati Vunibola, both converted by half Meli Nacaginimasei.
The Silktails now remain winless after three matches, while the Dragons are 2-1.
The Fijians wanted to grab their first win off the back of some hardships experienced by the side this past week.
Centre Mitchell Poulter played today despite a great deal of adversity.
The 19-year-old unexpectedly lost his father last Wednesday (20 March) but decided to make the trip to Sydney to play and honour him.
Poulter will return to his home in Tailevu Province, Fiji, on Tuesday to attend the funeral.
In fact the entire Silktails team battled wet weather that has been unrelenting in the Pacific nation over the past seven days.
Players and staff had to relocate to Nadi a day before they were due to travel due to flooding, which would have blocked them off from getting to the airport from their base in Lautoka.
During the week the team’s welfare officer, Pastor Kemueli Salu, and his family had to be evacuated from their home due to the heavy rain.
