NRL: Jack Wighton sparks second-half rampage as Canberra Raiders beat St George Illawarra Dragons 37-8

Jack Wighton has kept the Raiders’ top-four dream alive by turning wrecking ball against the Dragons in a 37-8 win.

Jack Wighton of the Raiders warms up before the round-18 NRL match. Picture: Getty Images

Jack Wighton has kept the Canberra Raiders’ top-four dream alive with the hulk-like half turning wrecking ball to beat up the St George Illawarra Dragons in Wollongong on Saturday.

In another five-star playmaking performance that showcased his running game, Wighton scored two tries to spark a second-half Raiders rampage.

Barnstorming his way through five defenders to score his first try, Wighton backed up to bag a double before the Raiders went on a romp to win 37-8.

Blowing the Dragons away after Cody Ramsey scored two tries on debut to announce himself as a future star, the Raiders scored four second half tries to keep their premiership tilt on track.

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The Dragons put the Raiders on notice in the third minute when Corey Norman sliced his way through to almost score.

Looking like they needed a reminder about their fight to get into the top four, the Raiders were spared by a try-saving tackle by Semi Valemai.

The Raiders’ class shone through when they went back-to-back after the break to kill off the Dragons.

Looking more like a top-four contending team following a lacklustre first 40, John Bateman continued his barnstorming injury comeback form by scoring his second try in two weeks after Croker landed the first second half blow.

Wighton scored in the 63rd minute in what was fast becoming a points pile-on.

DRAGONS 8 (Tries: Ramsey 2 & Goals: Lomax 0/2) RAIDERS 37 (Tries: Young, Wighton 2, Croker, Bateman, Valemei & Goals: Croker 6/7 & Field Goal: Williams) at WIN Stadium, Wollongong.

The Sunday Telegraph