A try to returning hero Craig Wing five minutes from the end has given South Sydney a thrilling 24-20 victory over St George Illawarra in the Charity Shield at A N Z Stadium on Saturday night.
Local junior Wing, in his starting appearance for the Rabbitohs after eight years with the Roosters, sped through two defenders and crashed over the top of Brett Morris to score the match winner before 25,127 fans.
Souths had to survive a late scare - Saints replacement Lagi Setu denied a try by the video referee in the 78th minute - before claiming victory in the 25th anniversary of rugby league's toughest pre-season trial.
Rabbitohs five-eighth Ben Rogers was heavily involved in both his side's first half tries.
The clever pivot chipped a kick for winger Germaine Paulson to knock the ball back and Yileen Gordon did the rest for the first try after 14 minutes.
Issac Luke added the extras with a superb sideline conversion.
Rogers and co-skipper David Kidwell combined for Souths' second try after 23 minutes, the pair using quick hands to send Paulson in out wide.
The Dragons were rewarded for their endeavour just before the break when Rangi Chase's grubber kick was grounded one handed by the speedy Jamie Soward.
The try-scorer landed the conversion to keep the Saints right in the contest at 12-6.
The Bunnies h1t back four minutes later when fullback Fetuli Talanoa trailed an Eddie Paea bust to score under the posts.
Luke's conversion handed the Rabbitohs an 18-14 advantage, but they were unable to hold on to their lead.
The impressive Michael Lett scooted out of dummy half and found Soward on his inside - the Dragons half-back outpacing the defence to score his side's fourth try.
Ben Hornby was successful with the sideline conversion and St George Illawarra Illawarra had its nose in front 20-18.
But Wing had the last say, putting the seal on his side's win with his 75th minute solo effort.

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