Souths seal a golden point win

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The South Sydney Rabbitohs have snatched a golden point victory against the St George Illawarra Dragons at WIN Jubilee Oval with a 19-18 win in front of 14,834 fans.
A fast start from the Dragons saw them notch up two tries up after 18 minutes. The first points came in the fifth minute with Jason Nightingale planting the ball down off a Jamie Soward kick. Dragons 6-0.
Soward was on hand for the Dragons second try. He raced for the try line after reciveing a clever pass from Brett Morris. Soward added the extras to  blow the score out to 12-0.

A shift in possession late in the first half saw the Rabbitohs hit back with two tries of their own. Sam Burgess broke the points drought with a powerful charge. Jake Marketo failed to hold the Englishman out from claiming points. Adam Reynolds nailed the conversion to close the gap to 12-6.

Just before the time keeper could sound the siren for half time, Adam Reynolds silenced the Dragons' crowd as he streaked away. Matt King supplied a brilliant a quick hands pass for Reynolds to score. He converted his own try to lock the game at 12-all at the break.

The Dragons came out firing in the second half with clever play from Matt Cooper as he added his name on the scorers sheet. A successful conversion by Soward on the eastern touchline extended the lead to six, 18-12 after 48 minutes.

Man of the match, Adam Reynolds guided the Rabbitohs back in contention with a perfect kick to the in goal area for Andrew Everingham to claim his 9th career try. Reynolds' conversion locked the game up once again, 18-all with 20 minutes to on the clock.

Jamie Soward had the opportunity to steal the lead again with a massive 41-metre penalty goal, however the attempt was unsuccessful. 

With ten minutes to play, it became a field goal shoot-out, with four attempts at the one-pointer. However with the WIN Jubilee crowd on their feet for the final moments, the dead lock could not be broken in regular time.

It was the magic boot of Reynolds who sealed the Souths' victory with a 35-metre field goal. To the delight of the travelling Rabbitohs supporters, the barrow celebrated the 19-18 win.

The Dragons will look to reclaim some form after three straight loses when they open WIN Jubilee to the bottom-of-table Parramatta Eels. Meanwhile the Rabbitohs will return home to ANZ Stadium with an encounter against the Canberra Raiders.

Match Details
St George Illawarra Dragons 18 were defeated by South Sydney Rabbitohs 19
National Rugby League - Round 11 - Sunday May 20, 2012 3:00pm
Venue: WIN Jubilee Oval, Kogarah
Referee: Shayne Hayne and Brett Suttor
Video Referee: Russell Smith
Touch Judges: Russell Turner and Ricky McFarlane
Crowd: 14,894
Halftime: St George Illawarra Dragons 12 South Sydney Rabbitohs 12

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Adam Reynolds (1 Try, 3 Conversions, 1 Field Goal)
2 Points - Jamie Soward (1 Try, 3 Conversions)
1 Point - Justin Hunt

St George Illawarra Dragons (18)
Tries: Matt Cooper, Jamie Soward, Jason Nightingale
Field Goals: Ben Hornby (0/1), Jamie Soward (0/2)
Conversions: Jamie Soward (3/3)
Penalty Goals: Jamie Soward (0/1)

South Sydney Rabbitohs (19)
Tries: Sam Burgess, Adam Reynolds, Andrew Everingham
Field Goals: Adam Reynolds (1/2)
Conversions: Adam Reynolds (3/3)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary Good afternoon league lovers and welcome to NRL Sunday. A big clash today with the Dragons hosting the Rabbitohs at WIN Jubilee Oval.

Team news is already through for the Dragons with coach Steve Price not naming any changes to the starting line-up. However a few changes on the bench which will see Jack Stockwellmake his NRL debut this afternoon. Therefore the bench is 14. Cameron King, 15. Atelea Vea, 17. Jack De Belin and 21. Jack Stockwell.

Meanwhile the Rabbitohs are 1-17
Earlier in Toyota Cup action: Rabbitohs 24 defeated Dragons 10
1 min: We are UNDERWAY with the Rabbitohs kick off.
1 min: First set completed by the Dragons, Andrew Everingham forced back in goal at the back end of the kick. The Dragons earn a line drop out.
2 min: Video Referee Decision for the Dragons, possible for the Dragons
3 min: NO TRY! Daniel Vidot held up in goal. Back out to the 10 metre line.
4 min: TRY
TRY! Dragons
After being denied by the Video Referee, the Dragons back on their 10 metre line. Jamie Soward opted for a cross field kick which fell in the arms of Jason Nightingale who planted it down off the kick to score. Jamie Soward with the conversion attempt out wide added the extras.
St George Illawarra Dragons 6-0
7 min: On the last the Dragons from half way kicks downfield. The ball returned by Justin Hunt who makes it to his 20 metre line.
8 min: The Rabbitohs made a load of metres in their set, 66 metres from their set. But on the end of it all a penalty against the Rabbitohs for carrying on with the tackle after the held call. The Dragons helped out of their red zone, the kick up field sees them play it 40 metres out from their line.
9 min: Justin Hunt forced the Soward kick dead on the end of the Dragons set. As a result the Dragons earn a line drop out.
10 min: Massive kick from the Rabbitohs from the line drop out was missed by Ben Hornby and bounced over the sideline. So, the Rabbitohs have the ball through a scrum feed 40 metres from the Dragons line.
13 min: Penalty Dragons, free kick taken by Soward. The Dragons with possession 30 metres from their line.
14 min: Jamie Soward on the end of the set fires the kick downfield high and it's taken comfortably by Justin Hunt on his 10 metre line.
18 min: TRY
TRY! Rabbitohs
Jamie Soward has raced away to score after he linked with Brett Morris to beat Dave Tyrrell to the line. Great read from the 5/8th to get the Dragons second four-pointer. He converts for the Dragons to make it a 12 point lead.
St George Illawarra Dragons 12-0
20 min: Dragons kick downfield and it rolls dead, Rabbitohs have the ball of a 20 metre tap.
22 min: Dragons red zone defence has been good today, Rabbitohs' kick on the last taken easily in the air by Jason Nightingale on the full in goal. Dragons as a result get a 20 metre tap.
23 min: Mitch Rein out of dummy half has been collected by Issac Luke in a massive collision. A head clash is the outcome of the contest, he is down with the trainer now.
23 min: Rein is okay and plays the ball 20 metres from the Rabbitohs line. On the last a kick to the air goes high and taken by the Rabbitohs. They have the change over 10 metres from their own line.
24 min: INTERCHANGE: Ben Lowe ON, Michael Crocker OFF (SOUTHS)
25 min: The ball kicked by Jamie Soward and it's found the touchline. So, the Rabbitohs will get a scrum feed 20 metres from their line.
26 min: KNOCK ON! Interest play, both sides knocking on from their respective scrum feeds. First against the Rabbitohs, and than Brett Morris losing the ball out of the scrum. Now the ball with the Rabbitohs through the 3rd scrum in 60 seconds.
28 min: The Rabbitohs earn a line drop out after the Dragons forced the ball dead. A chance for points in the Dragons red zone.
30 min: TRY
TRY! Rabbitohs
Sam Burgess busted up with power to beat Jake Makerto. He crashed over under the posts. Adam Reynolds nails the kick from in front to make it a 6 point game.
St George Illawarra Dragons 12-6
34 min: Mitch Rein has come off the field for the and gone up the tunnel
35 min: Video Referee Decision for the Rabbitohs, possible try for Nathan Merritt.
35 min: NO TRY! Nathan Merritt denied. Jamie Soward wonder effort in covering defence to hold him up. The Dragons ruled as a result of the effort to have been held in goal, so the Rabbitohs have a goal line drop out.
36 min: Penalty to the Rabbitohs against Jamie Soward for laying in the ruck too long. Rabbitohs have possession 10 metres out.
37 min: Knock on against the Rabbitohs and to make it worse they give away a penalty. Dragons with possession from the free kick 40 metres from their own line.
38 min: Soward's kick rolled dead over the line and Rabbitohs have possession from a 20 metre tap.
39 min: TRY
TRY! Rabbitohs
Sutton goes to the on the last tackle, the ball bounced down for Matt King who threw the quick hands pass on the inside to Adam Reynolds who streaked away to score next to the posts. Amazing lead up play from the Rabbitohs to get them back in the contest with their second try. Reynolds converts the goal to lock the game at 12-all.
12 all
40 min: HALF TIME at WIN Jubilee Oval: St. George Illawarra Dragons 12 locked with South Sydney Rabbitohs 12
41 min: We are underway for the second half with the Rabbitohs getting the first use of the footy.
41 min: Fast start from the Rabbitohs as they made almost 70 metres with their set. Kick on the last high in the air, however taken by Daniel Vidot. The Souths forward pass earning their money today.
42 min: Jamie Soward looked for the sideline however Justin Hunt picked up the ball comfortably and returned it to his 40 metre line. The Rabbitohs defence strong in the set.
45 min: KNOCK ON! The Rabbitohs looked for quick passing with John Sutton and Issac Luke linking together but unable to control the ball.
45 min: Dragons haven't learnt not to kick to Justin Hunt, they continue to test his skills but so far he has taken every kick easily. Great confidence from the kid on debut.
48 min: TRY
TRY! Dragons
The Dragons class coming into the fray with wonderful lead up from Daniel Vidot and Brett Morris. However the smart play from Matt Cooper on the last play crashed over in the corner for the Dragons 3rd try. Jamie Soward from the eastern touchline nailed the kick to make it a 6 point lead once again.
St George Illawarra Dragons 18-12
52 min: Jamie Soward goes high to the high and Justin Hunt reached and dived for the ball as it went to ground. Amazing effort from Hunt to catch the ball mid-air. Following that Souths earn a penalty for the Dragons ruled offside at the kick. The Rabbitohs have possession on half way.
53 min: John Sutton on the last stabs the kick towards the in goal area but Jason Nightingale on the spot to take it and raced it back to his 10 metre line.
54 min: Soward's kick wobbles it's way over the dead ball on the end of the set. The Rabbitohs get the ball from a 20 metre tap.
55 min: KNOCK ON! Adam Reynolds with a massive tackle on Daniel Vidot forced the ball free in the collision. The Rabbitohs have a scrum feed and chance to lock the game again with a scrum feed 10 metres from the Dragons line.
56 min: Penalty against the Dragons for a second attempt in the tackle. Soward penalised. Rabbitohs on the attack still 10 metres out.
58 min: Great defence from the Dragons, the Rabbitohs threw everything at the line but ran left to right three times in the set. However on the end of the set, a kick placed in goal for Nightingale who got caught in goal. Rabbitohs with a line drop out.
60 min: WOW! From nothing, Andrew EVERINGHAM is claiming a try for the Rabbitohs. Video Referee Decision coming
60 min: TRY
TRY! Rabbitohs
Adam Reynolds with a pin-point grubber kick sat up for Andrew Everingham who flew through to ground it. An amazing try for him, the 9th of his career. He managed to ground it hand under belly before the dead ball line. Reynolds with the conversion attempt adds the extras and locks the game again.
18 all
62 min: Kick on the last from the Rabbitohs taken by Brett Morris at the mouth of the posts. The Dragons to work it off their line.
63 min: Jamie Soward stabs a kick downfield towards the corner of Justin Hunt who takes it without issue. He has been wonderful in his NRL debut this afternoon.
64 min: KNOCK ON! Atelea Vea lost the ball in the tackle, the Rabbitohs with the ball on halfway.
66 min: Penalty against the Rabbitohs, Michael Crocker penalised for a high shot on Ben Hornby. However on replay no contact was made with the head with Hornby falling into the tackle.
66 min: PENALTY GOAL ATTEMPT
NO GOAL!
Jamie Soward from 41 metres out has just missed the posts.
18 all
68 min: Video Referee has denied Justin Hunt points as Jamie Soward with an AMAZING covering defence tackle forced his feet into touch. So the game remained locked up
70 min: Penalty to the Dragons, Vea earns the penalty for a quick play and catches the Rabbitohs offside. Dragons with the ball on halfway.
72 min: FIELD GOAL ATTEMPT
Jamie Soward with a snap attempt at field goal misses the goal.
18 all
72 min: Adam Reynolds taking a shot at field goal, the ball charged down by the Dragons. Zero tackle Souths, 20m out
72 min: KNOCK ON! Nathan Merritt lost control of the ball 10 metres out from the line. The Dragons with the ball.
74 min: KNOCK ON! Dylan Farrell reached through the line but knocked on, the Dragons have the ball through a scrum feed on their 40 metre line.
74 min: Kyle Stanley has been forced into touch on the eastern side. The held call didn't come, Souths get a scrum feed on their 40 metre line.
74 min: FIELD GOAL ATTEMPT
Adam Reynolds had a shot at goal from 45 metres out and misses the kick. Dragons have it through a 20 metre tap.
18 all
76 min: FIELD GOAL ATTEMPT
Jamie Soward had a shot at goal from 35 metres out and misses the kick. Souths have it through a 20 metre tap.
18 all
79 min: Zero tackle, the tackle count restarts for the Dragons, they are 40 metres from the line.
79 min: FIELD GOAL ATTEMPT
Ben Hornby has a shot and he misses
18 all
80 min: The siren has sounded and we are going to gold point. The Dragons win the toss and will get use of the ball.
80 min: Golden Point is underway, Dragons with the ball. Ben Hornby taking the ball on the full from the kick off.
80 min: 80:47 - Dragons kick on the last, Everingham takes the ball on his 30 metre line
81 min: FIELD GOAL
FIELD GOAL! Rabbitohs
Adam Reynolds snaps an attempt from 35 metres and gets the points. The Rabbitohs win in GOLDEN POINT extra time.

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