NRL round-up: Mitchell hat-trick, Melbourne remain top, Penrith perform comeback
There were several thrilling games in the NRL on the weekend.
Latrell Mitchell scored a hat-trick to help Sydney Roosters beat St George Illawarra Dragons 36-18. Italy international James Tedesco also scored two tries for the Roosters, while Ben Hunt bagged a brace for the Dragons.
Penrith Panthers came from being 24-6 behind to win against Manly Sea Eagles at Lottoland. Dean Whare, Josh Mansour, Isaah Yeo, Waqa Blake and Nathan Cleary scored Penrith’s tries.
Tries from Corey Oates and Matt Lodge helped Brisbane Broncos edge past Cronulla Sharks 12-10 at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday. Oates performed outstandingly well for the Broncos, while Valentine Holmes stood out for the Sharks.
North Queensland Cowboys defeated Newcastle Knights 20-18 at 1300SMILES Stadium. Justin O’Neill, Coen Hess, Johnathan Thurston and Gavin Cooper got the tries for the Cowboys, while Lachlan Fitzgibbon bagged a brace for the Knights.
Wests Tigers’ hopes of making the top eight were shattered following a 16-4 defeat against Canterbury Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium. Kerrod Holland scored both of Canterbury’s tries, while Rhyse Martin kicked four out of four goals.
South Sydney Rabbitohs came from being 14 points behind to win 26-20 at home against Parramatta Eels. England internationals Sam Burgess, Tom Burgess and George Burgess all featured for the Rabbitohs, while Australia winger Dane Gagai and Campbell Graham scored two tries each.
Melbourne Storm remain at the top of the NRL table on points difference thanks to a 44-10 win over Canberra Raiders at AAMI Park. Curtis Scott crossed the try-line twice for Melbourne, while Fiji winger Suliasi Vunivalu also scored. Origin stars Josh Addo-Carr, Cameron Munster and Felise Kaufusi also scored for Storm.
A fine second half display saw Gold Coast Titans run-out 36-12 winners against New Zealand Warriors at Cbus Super Stadium. Phillip Sami scored twice for the Titans, while Tonga ace Konrad Hurrell also got a try.
Melbourne and South Sydney are joint top of the NRL ladder, while Parramatta remain bottom.
NRL Round 20 results:
Brisbane Broncos 12-10 Cronulla Sharks (22,859)
North Queensland Cowboys 20-18 Newcastle Knights (11,709)
Canterbury Bulldogs 16-4 Wests Tigers (9,865)
Manly Sea Eagles 24-28 Penrith Panthers (6,134)
Sydney Roosters 36-18 St George Illawarra Dragons (19,878)
Melbourne Storm 44-10 Canberra Raiders (15,298)
Gold Coast Titans 36-12 New Zealand Warriors (15,149)
South Sydney Rabbitohs 26-20 Parramatta Eels (15,542)
