NRL Round Up – Round 20

Gold Coast inflicted yet more misery on their Queensland rivals Brisbane by beating them 43-18 at Skilled Park.

Three scores from Mark Minichiello, Ash Harrison and Michael Henderson pushed the Titans out into a comfortatble 16-2 lead.

Another score from Kevin Gordon from Scott Prince‘s magical pass meant the Gold Coast held a commanding 22-2 advantage at half time.

Prince scored from Preston Campbell‘s kick after the break who also provided the pass for Esi Tonga to score in the corner.

Two scores from the elusive Antonip Winterstein gave the Broncos a glimmer of hope and Justin Hodges‘ sneaky slip pass to Dale Copley allowed him to race over but it was too little too late

Gold Coast Titans 34
Tries: Mark Minichiello, Ashley Harrison, Michael Henderson, Kevin Gordon, Scott Prince, Esikeli Tonga
Goals: Scott Prince (5/6)

Brisbane Broncos 18
Tries: Antonio Winterstein (2), Dale Copley
Goals: Corey Parker (3/3), Aaron Gorrell (0/1)

Manly continued their improvement with a 44-20 win over Newcastle.

Richie Fa’aoso raced through for the first and produced a magnificent offload for Mark Taufua‘s try soon after.

Ben Farar dummied his way over to open the Sea Eagles’ account and Tony Williams crossed in the corner to add to their tally.

Rookie five-eighth Kieran Foran dived on David Williams‘ chip ahead to edge Manly ahead 16-14 at the break.

Matt Ballin took advantage of a piece of luke for Manly’s fourth before George Rose powered his way over for a familiar score.

Anthony Watmough‘s controversial try increased the visitors’ lead but Shannon McDonald made sure Newcastle were in with a shout by racing over for the Knights’ third try.

Tony Williams and Ben Farrar grabbed their braces to give Manly the win.

Manly Sea Eagles 44
Tries: Ben Farrar (2), Tony Williams (2), Kieran Foran, Matt Ballin, George Rose, Anthony Watmough
Goals: Matt Orford (6/8)

Newcastle Knights 20
Tries: Mark Taufua, Richard Fa’aoso, Shannon McDonnell
Goals: Scott Dureau (3/3), Wes Naiqama (1/1)

Parramatta upset the form guide with a surprise 27-8 win over Canterbury.

Luke Burt scored first from Daniel Mortimer‘s kick ahead and a long range break from Jarrod Hayne ensured that Eric Grothe had an easy run to the tryline for the Eels’ second.

Jamal Idris responded for the Bulldogs before Ben Roberts guided a kick through for Bryson Goodwin.

Eric Grothe spun over to increase the lead for Parra before Kevin Kingston dummied his way over from dummy-half.

Fuifui Moimoi barged his way over with six minutes remaining to put the result beyond doubt.

Canterbury Bulldogs 8
Tries: Jamal Idris, Bryson Goodwin
Goals: Hazem El Masri (0/2)

Parramatta Eels 27
Tries: Eric Grothe (2), Luke Burt, Kevin Kingston, Fuifui Moimoi
Goals: Luke Burt (3/5)
Field Goals: Luke Burt (1/1)

Penrith took advantage of some generous refereeing to secure a 28-20 win over North Queensland.

A trademark dummy from Jonathan Thurston allowed him to cross for the Cowboys’ first and Willie Tonga was over soon after from Matty Bowen’s grubber.

Penrith fought their way back with scores from Michael Jennings and Michael Gordon to square things up 10-10 at half time.

Carl Webb benefitted from a Thurson bomb but Jennings hit back with a score after Gavin Cooper‘s offload was not judged to have gone forward.

Jarrod Sammut wriggled his way over for the Panthers but his score was cancelled out by John Williams for crossed in the corner for the Cowboys.

A last gasp effort from the home side lead to a mistake and Michael Jennings collected the ball and raced home from halfway to keep the Panthers’ top 8 hopes alive.

North Queensland Cowboys 20
Tries: Johnathan Thurston, Willie Tonga, Carl Webb, John Williams
Goals: Johnathan Thurston (2/4)

Penrith Panthers 28
Tries: Michael Jennings (3), Michael Gordon, Jarrod Sammut
Goals: Michael Gordon (4/5)

Melbourne put last week’s defeat behind them with an encouraging 30-10 win over Cronulla.

Billy Slater was the provider for Brett Anderson‘s try for the Storm after 15 minutes giving the home side a narrow 4-0 lead at the break.

Luke Covell hit back for the Sharks who lost playmaker Trent Barrett soon after with a head injury.

Joe Tomane rose high for the Storm’s second and Ryan Hinchcliffe cut inside the Cronulla defence for their third.

Anderson grabbed his brace before Will Chambers dummied his way over to give Melbourne a commanding lead.

Blake Ferguson did responded for the visitors but it was the Storm who had the lasy laugh through Cameron Smith who stepped past the defence to round off a good day for the home side.

Melbourne Storm 30
Tries: Brett Anderson (2), Joseph Tomane, Ryan Hinchcliffe, Will Chambers, Cameron Smith
Goals: Cameron Smith (2/5), Joseph Tomane (1/2)

Cronulla Sharks (10)
Tries: Luke Covell, Blake Ferguson
Goals: Luke Covell (1/2)

Canberra crashed to a disappointing 25-4 loss at home to Wests.

Tim Moltzen, playing at halfback, danced through for the Tigers early on and grabbed a long-range score soon after to give his side the best possible start.

Shannon Gallant‘s kick allowed John Morris to collect and score for the Tigers third try to help them into a 19-0 lead at half time.

Taniela Tuaki scored a trademark try after the break to extend the Tigers’ lead which was cut after a try from rookie winger Dan Vidot on the hour mark, but in reality the game was over as a contest.

Canberra Raiders 4
Tries: Daniel Vidot
Goals: Terry Campese (0/1)

Wests Tigers 25
Tries: Tim Moltzen (2), John Morris, Taniela Tuiaki
Field Goals: Robbie Farah (1/1)
Goals: Benji Marshall (4/4)

St George came away from their travels with a powerful 29-4 win over the New Zealand Warriors.

Brett Morris crossed early on for the Dragons but the Warriors hit back almost immediatley through Joel Moon.

Chase Stanley‘s break down the left touchline allowed Morris to cross for his second before Stanley slid over himself to earn his side an 18-4 half time lead.

Wendell Sailor was denied a try by the video ref beut Jamie Soward was over soon after when he collected a loose kick and raced over from 95 metres.

Soward turned provider for the Dragons’ next score – chipping over the defence before collecting and passing for Darius Boyd to round off the result.

New Zealand Warriors 4
Tries: Joel Moon
Goals: Kevin Locke (0/1)

St George Illawarra Dragons 29
Tries: Brett Morris (2), Chase Stanley, Jamie Soward, Darius Boyd
Field Goals: Jamie Soward (1/2)
Goals: Jamie Soward (4/6)

South Sydney made in three wins from three when theyh downed their bitter rivals Sydney Roosters 40-20 at ANZ Stadium on Monday.

Jamie Simpson grabbed two tries within the first ten minutes for the Rabbitohs who added further trues through Isaac Luke and John Sutton.

Mitchell Aubusson stemmed the tide with a score after 27 minutes meaning the halftime score was 18-4 in favour of Souths.

John Sutton‘s beautifully timed pass allowed Eddy Pettybourne over for the Rabbitohs’ fifth try.

Sean Kenny-Dowall replied for the Roosters by crossing in the corner but Simpson rose high at the other end soon after to claim his hat trick.

An Isaac Luke break gave Nathan Merrit the chance to race over for the Bunnies although the Roosters did manage back-to-back tries from Jake Friend and Mitchell Pearce.

But a late try to the departing Craig Wing put the icing on the cake for Souths.

South Sydney Rabbitohs 40
Tries: Jamie Simpson (3), Issac Luke, John Sutton, Eddy Pettybourne, Nathan Merritt, Craig Wing
Goals: Chris Sandow (4/6), Issac Luke (0/2)

Sydney Roosters 20
Tries: Mitchell Aubusson, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Jake Friend, Mitchell Pearce
Goals: Shaun Kenny-Dowall (2/4)