NRL Round Up – Round 21

Wests Tigers fought back from two scores down to record a shock 14-12 victory over Manly.

Matt Ballin darted over after Brett Stewart’s score, meaning the Sea Eagles led 12-0 at the interval.

Robert Lui and Blake Ayshford crossed before a piece of Benji Marshall brilliance saw Chris Lawrence charge over and snatch victory.

–

Justin Hodges grabbed a hat-trick as Brisbane smashed Cronulla 46-16 at Suncorp Stadium.

Hodges crossed for a first half brace with Ben Hannant, Jack Reed, Jharal Yow Yeh and Matt Gillett also grabbing scores to help the Broncos lead 34-6 at the interval.

Matt Wright crossed for the Sharks just three minutes after the restart but further scores from Hodges and Peter Wallace killed off any hopes of a Sharks comeback.

–

Sydney Roosters notched just their sixth win over the season over Canterbury 32-28.

Aiden Guerra grabbed a first half brace to go with a Joseph Leilua score to see the Roosters in the lead at half time 16-12.

The Bulldogs won the second half try count but two penalties from Todd Carney proved decisive.

–

A second half avalanche of points ensured North Queensland’s hopes of a top four finish remain alive after a 30-18 victory over Penrith.

Brad Tighe and Adrian Purtell crossed to help the Panthers into an unlikely 12-6 lead at the interval.

Back-to-back scores from Ashton Sims, James Seyearo, Brent Tate and Ashley Graham ensured Penrith’s third score from Purtell meant nothing.

–

New Zealand Warriors remain firmly within sight of a top eight finish after a 29-10 victory over Canberra.

Tries from Manu Vatuvei and Sean Berrigan were equalled by Raiders tries through Daniel Vidot and Josh Croker to lock the scores at 10-10 at half time.

But the Warriors put the foot down in the second period, running away with it thanks to tries from Sam Rapira, Joel Moon, James Maloney and Bill Tupou.

–

Newcastle brought up a half-century of points against a poor Gold Coast outfit, winning 50-20.

Despite the Titans getting the first score through Greg Bird, the Knights went on to lead 16-12 at the interval thanks to tries from Akuila Uate (2) James McManus.

The Titans capitulated in the second period, going on to concede further scores from McManus, Cameron Ciraldo, Adam McDougall, Uate, Lulia and Neville Costigan.

–

A remarkable comeback from South Sydney ensured them a surprise victory over faltering St George 34-24.

The Dragons raced into a 20-6 lead with Brett Morris, Jason Nightingale (2) and Matt Cooper all crossing during a dominant opening half.

Scores from Nathan Peats and Nathan Merritt either side of a Dylan Farrell hat-trick ensured the Rabbitohs went home with the points.

–

Parramatta fell to another heart-breaking late defeat, this time at the hands of Melbourne 22-18.

Reni Maitua crossed for the home side to help them into an 8-0 interval lead.

The Eels’ dominance continued after the break with Taniela Lasalo racing over, until a mesmeric comeback from Melbourne saw them notch back-to-back scores from Sisa Waqa, Billy Slater, Justin O’Neill and Dane Nielsen to steal victory.