MOSS Vale’s title dreams became a nightmare as the Dragons were worked over by Oakdale Workers to the tune of 46-8 in the Mittagong RSL first grade preliminary final at Picton yesterday.

The Workers led from start to finish and never let the Dragons into the game. Moss Vale struggled to complete their sets, let alone go toe-for-toe with Oakdale.

The Workers led 18-4 at the break and then piled on five second half tries as Bart Masters, Nick Crouch and Tom Casey all bagged doubles. Moss Vale’s Brett Clarke got over in the first half to open the Dragons’ account after Oakdale led 8-0 midway through the term and Jess Micallef scored in a similar fashion out wide at the death.

The Dragons were on the wrong side of a 11-6 penalty count, and having Jon Creswell and then skipper Lee Trasler sinbinned late in the second half only compounded their woes.

The Dragons completed one set in the opening 20 minutes and the majority of Oakdale’s tries came on the back of Moss Vale mistakes. In contrast, the Workers respected the ball and ran the Dragons defenders ragged both up the middle and out wide.

For the full story see the Southern Highland News, Monday, August 25

sport.highlandnews@ruralpress.com