To be honest you cannot fault the Dragon players, they played excellent defense, the Warriors never broke the 22.  Yet a loss of 30-17 will attest to the worst start in franchise history.  To note they lost to the Peace Warriors just makes it worse.  

The game started well for the Dragons.  They spun the ball out well to their backs.  Winger Mark Anderson ended up with the ball and dove in for a try.  Captain Owen Clarke kicked the convert which sent the visiting Dragon fans into the usual frenzy in Veterans stadium.  Minutes later it was Owen Clarke helping again, this time kicking a drop goal from 35 out to make it 10-0 Dragons within the first 3 minutes.    

Inside Centre Kevin Andrews kicked a penalty kick during the 5th minute to bring it to 10-3, but 5 minutes after that Flanker Josh Papanelo rumbled 50 yards and through two tacklers on his way to his 2nd try of the season.  The convert was good making the score 17-3 and giving the Dragon fans a lot to cheer about.

During the 17th minute the speedy winger Mark Anderson ended up with the ball again.  He reached the try line but instead of touching it down he ran towards the centre of the zone.  Flanker Larry Qurei caught up to him and ripped the ball from his hands, rumbling down he passed it to his backs.  Finally the ball ended up in the hands of Kevin Andrews who attempted a drop goal from 50.  The Peace supporters roared as the ball split the uprights.

When play resumed, the Warriors drove down to the Dragons 30 where Andrews again kicked it through for a drop goal.  3 quick drop goals by Andrews prior to the end of half gave the Warriors a 18-17 lead over the dragons.

The start of the second half found the warrior pack dominating the dragon pack.  Stalling again near the 30, the ball was passed out to Andrews who kicked his 6th successive drop goal.

He would kick 3 more to give his warriors the victory over a dragon squad that seemed to completely self-destruct in the second half.

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'We lost to the Warriors, that is worse than saying we suck...' 

-Locke Harbour Dragon fan

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Captain Owen Clarke hung his head in shame after the game.  This was only the 2nd time the Peace Warriors had beaten the Dragons in their history.  Especially after going 0-7 last season, this win will definitely give the team a much needed boost of confidence now that their record is 2-0 this season.

As for the Dragons, the finger pointing has already begun.  Many Dragon fans who left Veteran stadium for the drive back to Locke Harbour where spitting with rage.  One fan blamed Anderson as he, 'didn't score when he was in the zone'.  Other fans were vocal about the coaching of Andrew Martin while some fans just lashed out at the entire team.  'We lost to the Warriors, that is worse than saying we suck, we are now 0-2 what garbage is that!', vented one fan.

It is going to be a long drive back home for Dragon fans.

RUGBY CHAMPIONS LISTING

Inside Centre Kevin Andrews kicks a penalty kick in the opening minutes of the game.