George Williams bags first NRL try

James Gordon

George Williams of the Raiders reacts after scoring his first NRL try during the Round 8 NRL match between Canberra Raiders and St George Illawarra Dragons at GIO Stadium in Canberra, Friday, July 3, 2020.

England stand-off George Williams scored his first NRL try for Canberra Raiders in the 22-16 win over St George-Illawarra on Friday.

Williams, 25, has made a promising start to his career Down Under and is joint third in the league for try assists, with seven.

He took a pass from fellow Englishman Josh Hodgson, spotting a big gap in the Dragons defence to dance through and cross to the side of the posts.

The former Wigan man scored the Raiders’ third try on the stroke of half-time as they built up a 22-0 lead over the Dragons.

They were clawed back late in the second half though, with a try two minutes from time setting up a frantic finale.

Canberra ended the game with 14 men, Williams’ England team-mate Elliot Whitehead suffering an eye injury, while veteran former St Helens forward Sia Soliola went off with a suspected broken jaw.