Dragons catch fire in win over Eels

The St George Illawarra Dragons have caught fire in the blistering Sydney sunshine to claim a dominant victory over the Eels on Saturday afternoon. 

The Dragons ran in eight tries to three in the win at CommBank Stadium, turning a 14-8 half-time lead into a 42-14 triumph.

Fullback Teagan Berry scored a second-half double as the side found their stride to secure their second victory of the season. The win keeps their slim finals hopes alive, while Parramatta missed an opportunity to climb inside the top four. 

The Eels lost forward Kennedy Cherrington to a knee injury in the 41st minute, and while she attempted to return was ultimately ruled out for the remainder of the contest. 

The first half was an end-to-end affair, with both sides throwing the ball around in the Sydney sunshine.

The free-flowing action made for an entertaining contest and tries were flowing from both teams.

St George Illawarra led 14-8 at the break thanks to tries to Bobbi Law, Keele Browne and Ella Koster.

Monique Donovan and Rory Owen crossed for the Eels in the first half, while Owen came agonisingly close to a second with 15 seconds left in the half.

The Dragons found top gear immediately after the break, three tries in the space of six minutes blowing the game open.

Zali Hopkins opened the scoring in the 39th minute, before Berry scored back-to-back tries to make it 30-8.

The Eels hit back through Rachael Pearson before Browne added her second and Sophie Clancy crossed for the first try of her career in the 67th minute to seal a comfortable victory.