NRL Round Up – Round 7

Cronulla’s season continues to go from bad to worse following their 32-26 defeat against South Sydney at ANZ Stadium.

Three tries from David Kidwell, Beau Champion and John Sutton helped the Rabbitohs race out to a 16-0 lead before Cronulla replied through skipper Paul Gallen. Roy Asotasi and Luke Covell traded tries but it was the Sharks to score next with winger David Simmons racing in at the corner to reduce the Souths lead to 22-18 at the break.

Back to back tries for Beau Champion and Nathan Merritt after half-time helped a determined Rabbitohs extend their lead, although they their foot off the pedal in the closing stages.

The Sharks tried desperatley to rescue the points and despite two late scores through Ben Pomeroy and Luke Covell they could not peg back the Bunnies. A late field goal attempt from John Sutton fell short but the home side had done enough for the win.

Rabbitohs Tries: Beau Champion (2), David Kidwell, David Fa’alogo, Roy Asotasi, Nathan Merritt Goals: Chris Sandow 4

Sharks Tries: Luke Covell (2), Paul Gallen, David Simmons, Ben Pomeroy Goals: Luke Covell 3

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A toothless performance from Parramatta saw them fall to their fifth defeat of the season, a 40-8 drubbing against Brisbane.

There were nervous moments early on as Joel Clinton was held up over the line and Jarrad Hayne knocked on at the other end, but it was the Broncos who scored first through Justin Hodges who broke two tackles to cross.

Karmichael Hunt extended the Broncos’ lead when he stepped over and Antonio Winterstein added another try by latching on to a Peter Wallace kick. The Eels pressed after the break but Brisbane held their nerve and Darren Lockyer sent Nick Kenny over.

Parramatta rookie Etu Uaisele got a try on his debut following Kris Keating‘s neat kick and the Eels got in again, this time through Taulima Tautai. Karmichael Hunt grabbed his second score before notching his hat-tick soon after, following inventive play from Darren Lockyer and Justin Hodges. Despite being 34-8 up, the Broncos were not finished and it was Israel Folau who crashed over for the home side’s final try.

Broncos Tries: Karmichael Hunt (3), Justin Hodges, Antonio Winterstein, Nick Kenny, Israel Folau Goals: Corey Parker 6

Eels Tries: Etu Uaisele, Taulima Tautai

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St George Illawarra kept up the pressure on leaders Brisbane with a 29-0 thrashing of Sydney Roosters in their traditional Anzac day clash.

Winger Brett Morris grabbed an early score but his side could only manage a penalty before half time to give them a 9-0 at the break.

Jamie Soward benefitted from an interception move following some risky Roosters play, before Jason Nightingale went the length of the field late on to take the Dragons out of sight. Notable performer Jamie Soward, who is in irresisitable form at present, weighed in with 21 points against a misfiring Roosters outfit.

Dragons Tries: Jamie Soward (2), Brett Morris, Jason Nightingale Goals: Jamie Soward 6 Field Goals: Jamie Soward 1

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There was nothing to choose between Melbourne and the New Zealand Warriors who shared the points after a 14-14 stalemate at Olympic Park.

Steve Turner collected Cooper Cronk’s measured chip for the Storm’s first while Billy Slater slid over in the corner for the home side’s second. Manu Vatuvei replied for the Warriors by bulldozing Turner over the line before a nasty concussion to Anthony Quinn halted play for several minutes.

Brett Finch proved instrumental in the Storm’s next score, helping Will Chambers cross out wide after the break, before the unstoppable Vatuvei stretched over the line for his second.

The Warriors increased the pressure on their hosts and eventually it was Patrick Ah Van who crossed from a neat piece of play from the visitors’ backline to head the teams into golden point. And despite desperate attacks from both sides, neither were able to find the golden point.

Storm Tries: Steve Turner, Billy Slater, Will Chambers Goals: Cameron Smith 1

Warriors Tries: Manu Vatuvei (2), Patrick Ah Van Goals: Denan Kemp 1

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Manly’s return to form appears to be shortlived after they fell to a 26-12 defeat at the hands of North Queensland.

The Sea Eagles were creative in attack but it was the Cowboys’ Ben Farrar who crossed first by getting on the end of a neat backline move. Glenn Hall crashed over in reply but Scott Bolton put the home side back in front before a Johnathan Thurston penalty extended the home side’s lead going into half time.

Chris Bailey jinked his way over after the break but Johnathan Thurston’s brilliance set up Matt Bowen to put the Cowboys out of sight. Bowen grabbed his brace late on to add insult to injury for Manly.

Cowboys Tries: Matt Bowen (2), Ben Farrar, Scott Bolton Goals: Johnathan Thurston 5

Sea Eagles Tries: Glenn Hall, Chris Bailey Goals: Jamie Lyon 2

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Canterbury maintained their excellent start to the season with a 30-20 victory at Canberra.

The Raiders got early scores from Troy Thompson and Joel Monaghan and could have got a third but debutant halfback Josh McCrone was judged to have knocked on.

Daryl Millard replied for the Bulldogs but Canberra scored their fourth through Adrian Purtell, who raced over in the corner. But a brace of scores from Ben Hannant and Bryson Goodwin gave the Bulldogs the advantage at the break. Michael Ennis and Alan Tougue traded scores before Ennis turned provider with a neat grubber kick for Hazem El Masri to dive over and seal the win. Raiders

Tries: Troy Thompson, Joel Monaghan, Adrian Purtell, Alan Tongue Goals: Josh Dugan 2

Bulldogs Tries: Daryl Millard, Ben Hannant, Bryson Goodwin, Michael Ennis, Hazem El Masri Goals: Hazem El Masri 5

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Wests completed a fantastic comeback to edge out Newcastle 26-24 at Campbelltown Stadium.

The Tigers opened the scoring through Dean Collis but three tries from Matt Hilder, Chris Houston and Danny Wicks saw the Knights race out to an 18-6 lead. John Morris scored after the break for the hosts before Knights halfback Jarrod Mullen came up with a try to open up a 24-10 lead for the visitors.

Benji Marshall turned on the style in the final quarter setting up both Beau Ryan and Dean Collis who had earlier added a score after Wes Naqiama’s fumble. With the scores tied at 24-24 Marshall stepped up to land the touchline conversion and steal the points for the Tigers.

Tigers Tries: Dean Collis (3), John Morris, Beau Ryan Goals: Benji Marshall 3

Knights Tries: Matt Hilder, Chris Houston, Danny Wicks, Jarrod Mullen Goals: Kurt Gidley 4

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Jarrod Sammut turned in a starring performance for Penrith as they lowered the Gold Coast’s colours with a 34-20 victory at CUA Stadium.

Tries from Luke Walsh and Lachlan Coote got Penrith out to an early start before the Titans hit back through captain Scott Prince But replacement Sammut’s quick brace of tries dealt a hammer blow to the visitors hopes and gave the Panthers an unassailable 22-4 lead at the break

Or so it seemed…. The Titans stormed back and thanks to tries from Brett Delaney and Kevin Gordon, the Gold Coasters looked like pulling off a miraculous comeback.

Three penalties for the Titans put them within touching distance but a Shane Elford interception try sealed the win. The visitors did manage a late try from Will Zillman but it served only as a consolation.

Panthers Tries: Luke Walsh, Lachlan Coote, Jarrod Sammut (2), Michael Jennings, Shane Elford Goals: Michael Gordon 5

Titans Tries: Scott Prince, Brett Delaney, Kevin Gordon, William Zillman Goals: Scott Prince 2