The LIFE of TIM

With the return of Matt Head YAY!! (result = "give us some head" chant is back with a vengance) and lock Shaun Timmins (result= st. georges recent ball handeling issues were only compounded by timmins' 3 knock-ons), who was also playing his 200^th first grade game for the club, the red and whites were forced to hold off a determined Sea Eagles outfit who had numerous chances to snatch a late win.

Easily the most exciting fixture in the 2006 NRL season, the Dragons slowly but surely worked on and improved combinations. After last weeks loss to the Knight’s, captain Trent Barrett described this week as not easy, but seemed optimistic about the future with Head playing back along side him.

“We really had to dig deep out there tonight and with Heady there next to me I think we will slowly get better”, said Barrett.

After being not to keen to originally to play Head this week, coach Nathan Brown said he reviewed the Premier League match from last week and held discussions with senior players to get their point of view.

“ I had a talk to Baz and a few of the senior guys and we decided a 75-80% fit Heady would still be good for us.”

“He can take pressure off the likes of Gaz and we thought if he could just kick to the corners and get us repeat sets he would be a great help.”

While Head was solid in his comeback game, it was a real positive team performance that seemed to impress the coaching staff the most.

“We had three or four wounded blokes out there”, said Brown.

“We really hung tough and deserved our win.”

The Dragons found themselves down to 16 men in the opening exchanges when Corey Payne collided head on into the head of Ben Kennedy. The back rower was escorted from the field heavily concussed. Minutes later, Dean Young found himself on report for striking. To make things worse for the visitors, Kennedy crashed over from short range to register the points of the evening. Orford converted and only a short time later slotted a penalty goal to give his side an 8-0 lead.

It took the red and whites 19 minutes to cross the stripe, through Young.

After finally controlling the ball for consecutive the sets, the visitors mounted some pressure close to the Eagles line. With numbers spread left and right, Young threw the big dummy and went himself, burrowing over three maroon and white jerseys to score. Head registered his first top grade points for 2006 with a faultless conversion.  (best half back in the game)

The scheming halfback concocted the Dragons second four pointer just ten minutes later. With nothing happening, some 30 metres out, Head took the ball to the line, shaping to throw an inside ball to Wes Naiqama. The half threw a dummy and brushed through the front line of the home sides defence. Matt Cooper loomed up on the inside and juggled the Head pass, collecting it in time to touch down under the sticks. Head converted to turn the tables on Manly 12-8.

The see-sawing wasn’t over however after Manly took the lead again just minutes before the break after Michael Robertson athletically outleaped Colin Best to cross in the north western corner of Brookvale Oval. Orford knocked over the conversion from the touchline. Manly went into the sheds 14-12 leaders. To add to the Dragons discomfort, Sam Isemonger was helped from the field.

The start of the second stanza looked all Manly. The Dragons struggled with their handling and continued to give away penalties. Despite the setbacks, their defence held firm.

Their grit was rewarded 15 minutes into the second half with Cooper crossing for his second try. In a planned back line movement, Cooper showed quality footwork and speed to beat Steve Bell and score out wide. Head hammered home the conversion to regain a four point lead.

Five minutes later Head knocked over a penalty goal to make it 20-14, the tide looked to be turning.

Seemingly in a comfort zone, the Dragons defensive line parted like the red sea and Steve Matai went straight through. Crossing halfway, the centre found support in Brett Stewart. The custodian out sprinted a gallant Matt Cooper to the line. Orford missed his conversion from close range, which kept the Dragons in front 20-18.

The blow by blow nature of the match continued after Matt Bickerstaff extended his sides lead after a gutsy 20 metre surge.

Leading 26-18 and the match in their keeping, the visitors leaked another try. Former Dragon Brent Kite stretched out to score with only seven minutes left after some second phase. Orford’s conversion bought the margin back to just two and a grandstand finish was on the cards.

After a close shave with just 90 seconds on the clock, the Dragons hung tough, with Head (told ya he was the best) coming up with a clutch intercept on the stroke of fulltime to diffuse a certain Manly try. (phew!)

The Dragons now have ten days off before they take part in the annual ANZAC Day clash against the Roosters at Aussie Stadium.

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA 26 (M COOPER 2, D YOUNG, M BICKERSTAFF TRIES; M HEAD 5 GOALS) d. MANLY WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES 24 ( B KENNEDY, M ROBERTSON, B STEWART, B KITE TRIES; M ORFORD 4 GOALS)

AT BROOKVALE OVAL.

CROWD: 18 069 - Biggest evar!!!

REFEREE: SHAYNE HAYNE.