NRL Rewind Round 22

By Stephen Gallagher

Broncos 12 Dragons 8

In the driving rain at WIN Stadium saw a very lackluster game played out.

Two teams who’re out of sorts both desperate for a win.

It was Brisbane who drew first blood through a penalty, but Gareth Widdop opted for the same minutes later.

The conditions grew more miserable but a daft grubber through the line saw a 8-2 Broncos lead at oranges.

Another try pushed it to 12-2 with the Dragons looking like they wouldn’t register another point.

But a Benji bomb with 4 from time saw Widdop snatch it on the full and score – but that would be it. Five losses in a row for the Red V.

 

Eels 10 Sea Eagles 9

This was a close, firey affair from the first whistle.

It was the Eels who scored six first – through wonder-kid Bevan French beating five men in ten metres with a grubber and regather.

The Sea Eagles scored under the bar, and right on the half time hooter – DCE put them ahead by a point.

The second half consisted of three penalty goals. Two of which went to the Eels and one to Manly.

It could be the end of the Sea Eagles season now, with the Eels pipping them at the post.

 

Bulldogs 28 Knights 14

The lowest point in the history of Newcastle has come.

14 straight losses for this club.

They did start the scoring with a penalty goal.

Canterbury Bankstown started to throw the ball around in rough conditions, and it paid off with two cracking tries and a 14-2 HT lead.

But the Knights certainly threw caution to the wind, as slick winger Brendon Elliott was the recipient of two fantastic tries leaving it 14-14 with half an hour to go.

As quickly as they leveled up, an error took it away, and the Bulldogs didn’t look back.

A scrappy match, with an eventual comfortable result.

 

Raiders 30 Sharks 14

Wow what a match!

The Raiders were a class above the Sharks tonight in what could be a grand final preview.

The first half was all green and led by English hooker Josh Hodgson who was having a field day. They took max points out of their opportunities with a 20-8 half time lead.

Cronulla were first try scorers after the break through skipper Paul Gallen, but the Raiders had too much skill as they pushed their lead to an inevitable win.

 

Storm 15 Rabbitohs 14

Nine losses in a row. Ouch.

The Rabbitohs were up for this match though, a very strong and gutsy first half saw them lead 6-0 at the break.

Not long after it was Melbourne’s left edge that scored two tries, before a Bunnies bomb got them another try and the lead back. 12-10.

Cameron Smith took the two, and so did Adam Reynolds which left Souths to defend a two point margin with 10 to go.

50 seconds on the clock, and a dangerous South Sydney tackle saw the Storm captain with land a 45 metre penalty to force it to golden point.

It was that man again as Souths stood and watched him win it with a field goal in GP for the win and first place on the table.

 

Warriors 24 Titans 14.

It was a brilliant display by the away team.

The Warriors brought a fantastic attacking plan, but their steel was in the defence.

The Titans looked like they were waiting for Jarryd Hayne to win it single handedly.

They panicked at times, but they drew up 10-all against the away side at the break.

Two intercepts by the Warriors saw them score two tries, and ultimately won them the game.

You need to see the highlights. The Kata fend on Don was amazing.

 

Tigers 26 Cowboys 14

It was the Tigers day as they battled hard up front to a win they needed and deserved.

They outclassed the Cowboys forwards from kickoff, and an early swing to the right saw them cross after 6 minutes.

The Cowboys scored after 21 minutes – much to their relief, but another Tigers try before half time saw them lead at the break.

The Cowboys couldn’t muster the Tigers, as they start to look shaky with the finals in sight.

 

Panthers 38 Roosters 18

The coming of age for Nathan Clearly is going to take the NRL by storm.

It was a stand out performance by this young fella as he guided the Panthers to 7th place with a comprehensive victory over the hapless Roosters.

It took only four minutes to opening the scoring, but straight away the Roosters did hit back.

Two further tries to the Panthers meant they took a nice lead in to the half time break.

Then comes the mauling. Penrith put the Roosters to the sword with four tries in 20 minutes to put the game well and truly out of reach.

If it wasn’t for a couple of late tries by the tri-colours, they would not have been able to salvage any pride.

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