NRL Round Up – Round 4
Another week is in the books – Tim Ashworth breaks down the action from Round 4 in the NRL.
South Sydney Rabbitohs 12 – 20 Brisbane Broncos
The Brisbane Broncos battled back from 12 nil down, and the loss of representative winger Jharal Yow Yeh to a horrible leg break, to outlast the South Sydney Rabbitohs in Perth on Friday 20-12.
Bunnies winger Andrew Everingham was the recipient of an early brace thanks to the skill of fullback Greg Inglis, with the Broncos only able to breach Souths defence in the 38th minute courtesy of a Dylan Farrell fumble.
The Broncos continued to play positive rugby in the second half adding another three tries, including two to Gerard Beale. The win confines Souths Sydney to their third loss in four games.
–
Parramatta Eels 6 – 39 Penrith Panthers
Parramatta were left embarrassed for the second week running by a clinical Penrith side, who were clearly out to erase the memories of their performance last week.
Penrith piled on four tries in the space of 13 minutes, including two to former Eel Etu Uaisele, to have the Eels heading to the half down by 23 points, and booed down the tunnel.
Despite the plea for mercy by the blue and gold faithful, Penrith continued to pepper the Eels defence throughout the second half with Uaisele rounding off his deserved hat-trick in the final minute of the game.
–
New Zealand Warriors 26 – 6 Gold Coast Titans
The Shaun Johnson show continued in Auckland on Saturday night as the Warriors disposed of an error riddled and clearly struggling Gold Coast Titans side.
The Warriors led 16-0 at the break thanks to tries to Taylor, Vatuvei and a pirouetting Johnson.
Simon Mannering grabbed a try in his 150th game for the club and Johnson ran away with an intercept for his second, before Luke O’Dwyer finally gave the travelling Titans fans something to cheer about, touching down five minutes from time.
–
St George Illawarra Dragons 17 – 6 Manly Sea Eagles
St George Illawarra showed the level each NRL team will have to reach in order to go all the way this season, grinding out a deserved victory over premiers Manly.
In an extremely physical game, the 2010 winners led 12-0 at the break thanks to tries to hard running prop Michael Weyman and elusive winger Jason Nightingale.
Manly were quick to get back in the game with a try to winger David Williams, but it was the Dragons day as Nightingale secured victory with his second try four minutes from time.
–
North Queensland Cowboys 14 – 20 Cronulla Sharks
The Cronulla Sharks surprisingly made it two from two on Saturday night, after coming from behind twice to beat the North Queensland Cowboys 20-14.
Despite trailing by eight points in the final minutes of the half, Cronulla went in to the break up 14-10 thanks to two tries in the space of two minutes.
Fullback Matt Bowen got the sides back on level pegging three minutes into the half, however it was Cronulla captain Paul Gallen who sealed victory for the Shire side, going over with eight minutes remaining and capping off another amazing individual performance (248m from 25 carries).
–
Melbourne Storm 44 – 4 Sydney Roosters
The records for Queensland and Australia fullback Billy Slater just keep rolling in, as he became the first player to score two tries in each of the opening four rounds, during the Storm’s 44-4 thrashing of the Roosters.
Leading 16-0 at half time, Slater etched his name in the history books once more in the 46th minute scoring his second, with halfback Cooper Cronk also bagging a double in the eight try to one thrashing.
The record is a little embarrassing for the Sydney side, as Slater has now individually scored more tries in 2012 than they have managed collectively.
–
Canterbury Bulldogs 6 – 20 Newcastle Knights
Wayne Bennett believes the penny may have finally dropped for his Newcastle side after their deserved win over the previously unbeaten Canterbury Bulldogs 20-6.
Richard Fa’aoso and Jarrod Mullen helped the side to a 12-0 halftime lead, with Alex McKinnon grabbing a late four pointer.
Joel Romelo scored a consolation try for Canterbury with two to go, but some poor handling at crucial moments meant the Dogs tasted defeat for the first time in 2012.
–
Wests Tigers 16 – 30 Canberra Raiders
The Wests Tigers poor start to the season got even worse last night, with a determined Canberra side coming from behind to take the spoils at Cambelltown 30-16.
Down 12-10 at the break, the Raiders came out firing with Sam Mataora beating three players to grab the first of the half, six minutes in.
Terry Campese got a deserved try in the 65th minute, before Jarrod Croker picked up his second and sealed the impressive win just three minutes later.