Fast forward to the 67th minute when Soward neatly chipped to Nightingale on the wing, who promptly rose above Jordan Atkins and at the second grab scored the try.

There was nothing magical about this kick from Soward, a player who is amazing when at his best.

But it was measured and perfectly timed to a player he loves finding on the field.

The Dragons were on to something.

Their previous offering, to extend their 6-4 half-time lead to eight points, came with a fair slice of fortune.

A Soward grubber kick bounced up and over captain Ben Hornby and Titans five-eighth Mat Rogers and into the arms of second-rower Neville Costigan, who scored the easiest of tries.

The Dragons were clearly flattered to lead at the break with Titans second-rower Mark Minichiello denied a try in the 30th minute after a forward pass.

The Gold Coast clearly looked the team most likely.

But after the break, the Dragons visibly lifted while the Titans struggled with the change in tempo of the game.

St George Illawarra's best attacking move actually failed to come up with a try, when Hornby sliced through a gap to link up with Ben Creagh, who found Nightingale.

It seemed Nightingale was destined to plant the ball. Except that a desperate covering tackle by Titans hooker Nathan Friend stopped him centimetres short.

It reflected the Dragons' frustrations at their lack of pointscoring punch.

However, St George Illawarra have emerged as such an impressive defensive force in the opening two rounds, that it provided the framework for their first victory of the season after the nailbiting loss to Melbourne last week.

The damaging backline set plays, the flair and the creativity are all still a work in progress.

But coach Wayne Bennett made it clear after the game that the Dragons have to crawl before they can run.