The St George Illawarra Dragons have recorded a big 26-12 win over the New Zealand Warriors at UOW Jubilee Oval, Kogarah on Sunday afternoon.

The Dragons' early 2-0 lead – thanks to a Gareth Widdop penalty goal – was cancelled out soon after when Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson kicked one of his own.

The Red V took until the 12th minute to score their first try when prop Paul Vaughan crashed over under the uprights.

A huge hit from Tyson Frizell that forced a Solomone Kata error helped halfback Josh McCrone burrow his way over three minutes later out wide.

Fullback Josh Dugan's try in the 22nd minute helped Widdop take out another bit of club history – the skipper's fourth conversion seeing him jump to outright third on the Dragons' all-time point scorers list.

While the Warriors scored on either side of the half-time break through hooker Issac Luke and winger Ken Maumalo, the Dragons were up to their old tricks when centre Tim Lafai sliced his way through for his first try of the year in the 54th minute.

While the Warriors never stopped threatening, the Dragons were able to maintain their 14-point lead come the final siren.

St George Illawarra Dragons 26 (Paul Vaughan, Josh McCrone, Josh Dugan, Tim Lafai tries; Gareth Widdop 5 goals) defeated New Zealand Warriors 12 (Issac Luke, Ken Maumalo tries; Shaun Johnson 2 goals) at UOW Jubilee Oval, Kogarah. Crowd: 11,608. Half-time: Dragons 20-8.