Dragons end Raiders' victorious run with upset win despite Matthew Timoko's double
The Dragons have secured a stunning 18-12 upset victory over the Raiders in wet and wild conditions at WIN Stadium on Saturday evening.
The result ends a nine-game winning streak for the top-of-the-table Raiders after their second half was rocked by unforced errors.
Canberra centre Matthew Timoko starred with a first-half double — his second double in as many weeks — but the effort was inadequate after the visitors were held scoreless in the second 40.
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Michael Molo of the Dragons is tackled by Zac Hosking and Tom Starling of the Raiders. Mark Kolbe Photography via Getty Images
Dragons halfback Kyle Flanagan also finished the match with 100 per cent kicking accuracy after two conversions and three penalty goals.
"They just haven't played well enough to win here, the Raiders," Steve Roach said in commentary for Fox League.
Dragons centre Mathew Feagai scored the opening try of the match in the ninth minute, after beating opposing threat Timoko one-on-one.
With heavy rain and brutal south-easterly winds battering Wollongong, Kyle Flanagan drilled a stunning conversion.
Timoko responded for the Raiders in the 23rd minute with a solo effort that saw him beat several defenders across the line.
Matthew Timoko celebrates with his Raiders teammates after scoring a try against the Dragons. Mark Kolbe Photography via Getty Images
In bizarre scenes, Hudson Young's services were required to hold the ball in place on the kicking tee as Jamal Fogarty attempted the conversion into the wind. The endeavour was unsuccessful.
Increasing his side's lead by two points, Flanagan slotted a penalty shot from close range after Tom Starling was penalised for a ball strip.
Flanagan then added another two points as Joseph Tapine was punished for making contact with his legs as he kicked.
Timoko ran in his second try on the stroke of half time before a successful conversion from Fogarty levelled things.
With the score locked at 10-all at the break, there were concerns that the Dragons did not impact the scoreboard enough with the host's running into the wind in the second half.
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Dragons fullback Corey Allan opened the scoring in the second half after being put over in the corner by Feagai.
Raiders forward Young was placed on report for a shoulder charge on Hame Sele before Dragons prop David Klemmer was reported for making high contact with Ata Mariota in a tackle.
Mariota Sami subsequently came from the field for a HIA but later returned.
The Dragons again increased their advantage by two points as Flanagan booted another field goal after Owen Pattie was penalised for not clearing the ruck.
Joseph Tapine exchanges words with the Dragons. Getty
The Raiders soon followed suit with Fogarty kicking a penalty shot after Gutherson was found to have stripped the ball.
The field goal cut the Dragons' lead to a converted try, but the Red V had done enough to get the win.
