NRL round-up: Cleary clinches Penrith win, Fusitu’a hat-trick, Melbourne beat Brisbane

There were a few nail-biting moments in the NRL on the weekend.

Nathan Cleary backed up his state of origin debut on Wednesday to kick the winning drop-goal as Penrith Panthers edged past Canberra Raiders 23-22 at the GIO Stadium. Tyrone Peachey scored twice for the Panthers, while England star Elliott Whitehead got on the scoresheet for the Raiders.

Two tries from Ryan James wasn’t enough to salvage any points for Gold Coast Titans as they went down to an 18-16 defeat to South Sydney Rabbitohs. Lebanon star Adam Doueihi scored a try for the Rabbitohs.

Blake Ferguson scored two tries to help Sydney Roosters beat Newcastle Knights 18-16 at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday. New South Wales representative Latrell Mitchell kicked three goals for the Roosters.

A hat-trick from Tonga star David Fusitu’a inspired New Zealand Warriors to a 34-14 victory over Manly Sea Eagles at AMI Stadium. New Zealand international Shaun Johnson also scored for the Warriors.

Fiji ace Jarryd Hayne bagged a brace to steer Parramatta Eels to a 20-14 win over North Queensland Cowboys at TIO Stadium in Darwin on Saturday. The Cowboys scored two tries in the final two minutes through Matt Scott and Enari Tuala, but it wasn’t enough.

Cronulla Sharks claimed a 24-16 win over Wests Tigers at Southern Cross Group Stadium. Paul Gallen and Valentine Holmes got on the scoresheet for the Sharks, while Tonga duo Tui Lolohea and Mahe Fonua were unlucky to be on the losing side.

Melbourne Storm ran in five tries to pull off a comfortable 32-16 victory over Brisbane Broncos at AAMI Park. Young Tonumaipea, Felise Kaufusi, Cameron Munster, Suliasi Vunivalu and Jahrome Hughes scored for Storm.

NRL round 14 results:

Canberra Raiders 22-23 Penrith Panthers

Gold Coast Titans 16-18 South Sydney Rabbitohs

Newcastle Knights 16-18 Sydney Roosters

Manly Sea Eagles 14-34 New Zealand Warriors

Parramatta Eels 20-14 North Queensland Cowboys

Cronulla Sharks 24-16 Wests Tigers

Melbourne Storm 32-16 Brisbane Broncos