NRL Round Up – Round 23

Correspondent

Wests Tigers kept up their good form with a 32-18 defeat of Penrith.

Three scores from Chris Heighington, Tim Moltzen and Gareth Ellis meant the Tigers held a handy 16-6 lead at half time.

Adrian Purtell’s score after the restart gave the Panthers hope but further tries from Robbie Farah, Beau Ryan and Ellis gave victory to the visitors.

Josh Hoffman stole Darren Lockyer’s thunder, scoring a hat-trick in the veteran’s 350th match as Brisbane beat North Queensland 34-16.

First half scores from Hoffman (2) and Jack Reed ensured the Broncos held the advantage at the break 18-10.

Hoffman traded scores with Brent Tate but another try from Dale Copley and two penalties from Corey Parker saw the Broncos home.

New Zealand Warriors kept themselves in the hunt for a top four finish, beating Newcastle 20-12.

Akuila Uate and Adam McDougall crossed to help the Knights into a 12-4 interval lead.

But Rookie halfback Shaun Johnson led the Warriors’ fightback, scoring a try and setting up another for Simon Mannering before Feleti Mateo completed the scoring.

Parramatta failed to haul themselves out of their form slump losing 26-20 to Manly.

Scores from Michael Robertson and Daly Cherry-Evans meant the Sea Eagles held a narrow 14-8 lead at the interval.

A double from Steve Matai after the interval made sure Manly’s top four aspirations were kept intact.

Gold Coast remain rooted to the bottom of the NRL ladder after a 40-16 hiding at home by Melbourne.

Back-to-back scores from Anthony Quinn, Cooper Cronk and Sika Manu went with a try from Billy Slater on the stroke of half time to see the Storm 22-6 ahead.

Cronk grabbed a double after the break and despite Titans scores from David Mead and Bodene Thompson the Storm had the last word through Slater.

South Sydney’s surge in form continued with a 47-18 battering of Canberra.

Scores from Dylan Farrell, Greg Inglis (2) and Ben Ross gave the Rabbitohs a healthy 24-6 lead at the break.

Nathan Merritt stole the second half show, grabbing a hat trick and creating a score from Chris McQueen to see the visitors worthy winners.

Premiers St George fell to their fourth consecutive defeat against Sydney Roosters 20-12.

The Dragons replied to Roosters tries from Jason Ryles and Phil Graham with scores from Trent Merrin and Matt Cooper to lead 12-10 at the break.

But the visitors hit top gear after the break, grabbing scores from Mose Masoe and Joseph Leilua to bounce back from last week’s defeat by Manly.

Canterbury kept their slim finals hopes alive with a 19-12 victory over Cronulla.

Dene Halatau powered his way over before Ben Barba’s electric score helped the Bulldogs establish a 12-6 interval lead.

NRL