NRL Round Up – Round 23
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.