Richard Michael
DeanoHarmoNRL Scoreboard - Round 19
July 23rd 2007 11:05
Category: No Category
Manly hadn’t recorded a win at Shark Park since 1986; but with the Sharks’ form falling away in recent weeks and with a mounting injury toll that saw the locals without all their Origin players and forced to bring in nightclub bouncer Murphy Su’a from park league, the Sea Eagles were the hottest of favourites to snap the losing streak. But the Sharks proved a hard side to get past, and when Frazier Anderson went over in the corner shortly before half time to give the locals the lead at the break and Henry Perenara scored a few minutes after the interval, there were hopes that the long winning run would remain intact. In the end it wasn’t to be, with tries to Stewart, Hicks and Cuthbertson and a long-range field goal to Michael Monaghan with just 3 minutes to go giving the Sea Eagles a 29-22 win. But although the Sharks were defeated, they can take a lot of heart from this performance.
Referee – S Hayne. Crowd – 6,494 at Toyota Park.
No Gold Coast side, in any of their numerous re-incarnations, has ever beaten the Bulldogs, and the Belmore side’s perfect record was maintained with a comfortable 36-12 win over the Titans at Carrara. It was tight early, with the Titans creating chances but being unable to put them away, before Daryl Millard went over in the corner in the 18th minute to give the visitors the first points for the game. Five minutes later, Reni Maitua wrong-footed the Titans’ defenders to get another; and when Andrew Ryan set up Heka Nanai for his first try with the Bulldogs the visitors had run up an 18-0 lead. A double from Luke Bailey prevented a complete rout, but with Hazem El-Mazri back in form with the boot and kicking 6 from 6, the Bulldogs were always in control to maintain their position in the top 8; while the Titans now have a 4-match losing streak and their debut season which promised so much is threatening to get away.
Referee – S Hampstead. Crowd – 15,873 at Carrara Stadium.
St George/Illawarra welcomed back Mark Gasnier from a long-term injury when they travelled to CUA Stadium to take on Penrith. It was an even first half, with the scores locked at 10-10 until just a few seconds before the break, when Chase Stanley set up Josh Morris, who ran 60 metres past the out-of-position Panthers’ defence to score under the posts. And just minutes after the break, Rangi Chase pulled on a strong run to double the lead. But the Dragons weren’t done yet, tries to Williams and Youngquest were unconverted but the margin was reduced to 24-20. With the game in the balance, it was St George who finished the stronger; Cooper, Creagh and Nightingale all going over in the last 10 minutes to blow the score out to 38-20 and keep the Dragons’ slim finals hopes alive.
St George-Illawarra 38 Tries – J Nightingale 2, M Cooper, J Morris, J Ryles, B Creagh, R Chase. Goals – J Soward 5. Penrith 20 Tries – M Gordon, M Blair, N Youngquest, R Williams. Goals – N Youngquest 2.
Referee – G Badger. Crowd – 9,523 at Credit Union Australia Stadium.
Melbourne maintained their impressive form, recording their 7th win in a row when they flogged the hapless Canberra side 34-6 at Olympic Park on Saturday night. The Storm got off to a flyer when Cooper Cronk surprised the Raiders with a kick early in the tackle count which gave Matt Geyer an opportunity. And from there it was never a contest, Glen Turner’s score against the run of play being the only respite from a comprehensive performance by the Storm. Greg Inglis went on to record a double, while Matt King and Israel Folou both recorded their 14th tries for the season to date. The Storm are now certain finallists for 2007, and only a remarkable turnaround in form will deny them top spot from here.
Melbourne 34 Tries – G Inglis 2, S Turner, M Kinn, M Geyer, I Folau. Goals – C Smith 5. Canberra 6 Tries – G Turner. Goals – M Dobson.
Newcastle will rue their clash against the Roosters on Saturday night as the one that got away. From the moment Adam MacDougall went over in the 4th minute to create a great start to the Knights it was a game they should have won. A double to Cooper Vuna kept the Knights on top, and with the bulk of possession they should have added more. But instead, Shillington, Monaghan and Paea had gone over for the Roosters; although a late field goal to Luke Walsh, which put the Knights back in front 17-16, should have been enough. But it wasn’t to be, with Mitchell Aubosson going over in the corner with just 2 minutes to go for the Roosters to steal a victory that the course of play through the night never looked likely; and maintaining Brad Fittler’s unbeaten record since taking over as Roosters’ coach.
Sydney Roosters 20 Tries – M Aubosson, J Monaghan, D Shillington, L Paea. Goals – C Fitzgibbon 2. Newcastle 17 Tries – C Vuna 2, A MacDougll. Goals – K Gidley 2. Field Goals – L Walsh.
Referee – T Archer. Crowd – 15,171 at Energy Australia Stadium.
The NZ Warriors continued their impressive form of recent weeks with a 28-16 win over Wests Tigers that sees the trans-Tasman side climb to 6th on the ladder ahead of the Tigers. A try in the corner to Dean Collis opened proceedings encouragingly for the Tigers, but it was the Warriors that controlled the remainder of the first half; and it was a double to Grant Rovelli plus Ropati and Koopu tries that set up a 22-4 lead at the break. But the Tigers weren’t done yet, and came home hard in the second half; but any hopes of stealing the game when Michael Luck found space and scored in the corner for the Warriors. Michael Witt converted the first 3 tries to bring his record for consecutive kicks to 28; but his shot for Koopu’s try missed and his shot at the all-time record was gone. Late in the game, referee Paul Simpkins’ running battle with Warrior Wade McKinnon saw the New Zealand full-back controversially sent off, but there wasn’t time for the Tigers to press their extra man advantage. The Tigers’ failure to convert any of their tries was another factor that did their cause no good on the day.
New Zealand Warriors 28 Tries – G Rovelli 2, J Ropati, M Luck, W Koopu. Goals – M Witt 4. Wests Tigers 16 Tries – D Collis, C Lawrence, T Tuiaki, C Heighington.
Referee – P Simpkins. Crowd – 14,012 at Campbelltown Stadium.
The boot of Nathan Merritt was the difference between Souths and the Cowboys when the two sides met at Telstra Stadium on Sunday afternoon. It was 8-4 to the Rabbitohs at half-time, but 4 minutes after the restart Matt Bowen ran wide to score, and Thurston’s conversion bounced through off the cross-bar. But, showing a depth of character not found in previous seasons, the Rabbitohs bounced back; with Isaac Luke diving to score and restore the lead and Ben Rogers racing 50 metres to put the ball down under the posts. With 10 minutes to go the Cowboys got a try back after Scott Minto made it through the wall of Rabbitoh defenders over the line; but the defence held firm and 20-14 was how it remained.
South Sydney 20 Tries – B Rogers, E Paea, I Luke. Goals – N Merritt 5. North Queensland 14 Tries – N Bowen, A Graham, S Minto. Goals – J Thurston.
Referee – S Clark. Crowd – 10,022 at Telstra Stadium.
The Broncos’ mid-season revival had come under threat with a mounting injury toll that saw the reigning premiers going into their match against Parramatta without Lockyer, Hunt, Hodges and Tate; and against a Parramatta side with a good record in the sunshine state the loss of players would be too much for them to overcome. Krishnan Inu and Nathan Hindmarsh gave the visitors a 12-0 lead at the break; and when Ian Hindmarsh went over on the hour the Eels looked home. But the Broncos fought back hard; with Sean Berrigan recording a late double. After Berrigan’s second try the Broncos opted not to take a conversion to create extra time to find a late try; but the Eels were able to hang on and take outright 3rd place.
Parramatta 20 Tries – K Inu, N Hindmarsh, I Hindmarsh. Goals – K Inu 4. Brisbane 16 Tries – S Berrigan 2, D Boyd. Goals – C Parker 2.
Referee – B Cummins. Crowd – 25,260 at Suncorp Stadium.
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Comment by StephenP
With Manly coming up next Sunday at Parramatta Stadium, I think this was just the physical hit out that the Eels needed - hopefully Ben SMith will play and seek redemption on Steve Matai's nose!
Cheers,
StephenP
Comment by Michael Shillito
Nozzin' Aroun'
That Parramatta v Manly game should be a beauty - I'm sure it'll sell out. And with the form the Eels are in, an upset win is definately a possibility.
Cheers,
Michael.