RUGBY LEAGUE

After going for more than 700 days without a win, Corrimal made it two wins in a week with their 22-6 away victory over Dapto on Saturday.

Two tries to powerhouse back-rower Nathan Smith, who made a fine fist of a switch from the centres, proved crucial in the victory in a largely dour affair at Dapto Showground.

Corrimal enjoyed a two-fold benefit from Dapto halfback Blake Wallace's call-up to the NSW Cup, which enabled Dragons young gun Shannon Crook to make his first appearance for the Cougars this season, while the Canaries struggled without their main attacking ace.

The loss won't be the only headache for Canaries coach Chris Leikvoll after key outside backs Lulia Lulia and Jake Harrigan both failed to finish the match due to injury.

Corrimal coach Brendon Reeves praised his side's attitude in defence but will be looking for improvement on attack next week.

"Our offence was pretty poor, so our defence needed to be spot on and it was," Reeves said. "We kept them to six points and I'm really happy with that.

"I'm still not happy with certain aspects of our attack but that can be fixed. It needs to be fixed because you don't get an easy game in this competition.

"The bigger, stronger clubs are are starting to look over their shoulder, which is great but we haven't played Wests yet, we haven't played Helensburgh yet in the competition proper, so I think we'll get a fair idea of where we are when play those sides a couple of times."

It looked all too easy for the Canaries when prop Jaimie Dunning burst into the clear and found Freddie Robinson in support for the opening try after just eight minutes but it was the home side's last joy of the match.

Smith barged his way across for his first try minutes later to level up at 6-6 before Eli Roberts snatched an intercept to extend the the lead to 12-6 after 20 minutes.

Smith scored his second in the 61st minute when he scooped up a deflected Dapto kick to race 60 metres and push the lead out to 16-6. Dapto had their opportunities but couldn't find another try before Fraser Alcock's four-pointer with nine minutes remaining sealed the result.

Leikvoll refused to use a hefty injury toll to excuse the performance.

"Corrimal did all the little things right and deserved their win. We were just off the pace a little bit," Leikvoll said.

"I think if we'd built a bit more pressure and kicked long, we'd have been in the grind but some poor kicks at the wrong times hurt us.

"It's never easy when you get a few injuries but it is what it is, that's footy. We'll just have to get back to work this week and get on with it. We're not the finished product yet."