The South Sydney Rabbitohs under 20s side have claimed a deserving victory 46-16 over the St George Illawarra Dragons at ANZ Stadium this afternoon (Sunday).
With Head Coach Ryan Carr describing the trial match during the week as an opportunity to “put together a positive performance on the back of a good tough pre-season”, his players lived up to the expectations delivering an eight tries to three victory in their first curtain raiser for 2017.
The Rabbitohs were quick to score in the opening minutes of the game with a try out wide to Tyrone Taukamo. Adam Doueihi sealed the try with a well-directed conversion kick curving to the right and straight through the uprights.
And it wasn’t long until he made an impact again. A fumble in goal by the Dragons saw Doueihi pick up the loose ball and add four more points to the Rabbitohs lead. Converting his own try, Doueihi looked to be a threat out there and the Rabbitohs led 12 points to nil.
Points continued to flow when Rabbitohs hooker Phoenix Hunt ploughed through the Dragons defence and went over the line for the Rabbitohs third try. Doueihi once again followed up with a successful conversion pushing the team further into the lead, 18 points to nil.
The Dragons struggled to find their rhythm and keep up with the fast pace of the game in the first half but found the try line through Jackson Willis just before the siren for half time. Willis’ try and conversion got the home side on the scoreboard while the Rabbitohs ran into the sheds leading 18 points to six at half time.
The second half saw the Rabbitohs side keep their composure and land another four pointer through a loose ball in goal put down by winger Bailey Shiach-Wise.
The strong performance saw the team lift again and get over for another try, this time through the power of forward Gabe Hamlin extending their lead 28 points to six.
The Rabbitohs continued their commitment that was shown from the start and once again Doueihi found a gap in his oppositions defence and went over for the side’s sixth try. However his perfect kicking streak would come to an end with his goal attempt hitting the posts.
Shortly after, Hamlin would join his teammate in a double getting his hands on the ball and finding the line despite Dragons defenders trying to pull him down. Doueihi showed the power of his right boot once again and the Rabbitohs had a strong lead 40 points to six.
The Dragons continued efforts saw them go over for a second try but it was too late to make up the Rabbitohs 36 point lead Rabbitohs after Souths quickly answered back with a try to Jordan Mailata and successful conversion by Doueihi.
The final points of the match would be secured by a converted try to the Dragons but it would the Rabbitohs who would claim the victory 46 points to 16.
South Sydney Rabbitohs 46 (Tyrone Taukamo 1, Adam Doueihi 2, Phoenix Hunt 1, Bailey Shiach-Wise 1, Gabe Hamlin 2, Jordan Mailata 1 tries; Adam Doueihi 7 goals)
defeated
St George Illawarra Dragons 16 (Jackson Willis 1, Caleb Campbell 1, Trent Peoples 1 tries; Jackson Willis 2 goals)
