NRL Rewind Round 20
0By Stephen Gallagher
Cowboys 36 Bulldogs 0
A HOT performance from the Townsville Terrors as they kept the Bulldogs to 0.
It was an attacking masterclass in the first 40 led by Johnathan Thurston which left the Bulldogs outplayed and frustrated.
Whenever they did get their hands on the ball they seemed to drop it.
Even when Thurston left the field early in the second stanza for a precaution of a hamstring twinge, they did not let up and the Bulldogs looked terrible.
Panthers 31 Broncos 12
Here come the Penny Panthers. Two strong performances in a row and they are looking good.
Former Broncos coach Anthony Griffin left Suncorp with a big smile on his face.
The Panthers had some serious go forward which flexed their muscle and an 18-0 half time lead.
The Broncos looked like they were sparking up when they struck first after oranges, but their errors stopped any progression they had.
Good game.
Raiders 26 Warriors 22
Ya know when it goes to Golden Point, it’ll end in a loss for the Warriors.
Leading 4-0 in the first half courtesy of a Manu Vatuvei juggling try, the Warriors kept the ball in the Raiders half.
But two typical Raiders tries in the last two minutes of the half saw them undeservedly lead 12-4.
Second half went the Raiders way, they were punishing the Warriors mistakes and led 22-4 with 11 to go when the Kiwi side decided they needed to play.
22-4 became 22-10, 22-16 and 22-22 thanks to a stunning clutch conversion by Issac Luke from the sideline right on fulltime.
But the Green Machine started golden point and finished it easily – as soft defence from the Warriors saw Jarrod Croker score in the corner for a hat-trick and a win.
Titans 34 Eels 14
Parramatta’s season is over after being thrashed by the Titans.
The Gold Coast team had it all their way from the beginning with little resistance from the Eels.
Konrad Hurrell scored first and was try number one in his new colours.
The Eels did defend as well as they could, but the Titans were brilliant close to the line.
If the forwards weren’t crashing over to score – the wingers were leaping for tries to extend the Titans lead.
The Gold Coast are looking good on the run to the finals.
Storm 26 Roosters 10
The fourth 13+ scoreline of the weekend, and the Roosters 6th loss in a row.
They did score first and last, but everything in the middle was Melbourne.
Y’just can’t comprehend how clinical the Storm are. A side that can turn on the flashiness – but also grind when they need to. This match was grind – leaving the Roosters battered off the ball all night.
The Storm scrambling D is one of the best in the comp – and majority of the breaks the Roosters made, they shut down quickly.
Sharks 36 Knights 4
Cronulla have beaten Newcastle 98-4 this season.
This is the difference between first and last.
Newcastle were in this game at half time, as it was only 10-0, but the Sharks put the foot down and obliterated the Knights.
Ben Barba is in his best form ever, and the whole Cronulla side are just phenomenal to watch.
This was win number 15 in a row.
Tigers 25 Dragons 12
No Farah, no problems.
This match started all in favour of the Dragons, but it was the relentlessness of the Tigers which saw them take control.
Their support play returned and guided them to a half time lead.
Another try early after half time pushed it to 24-4 and that really was it.
Both sides missed a massive amount of tackles, and it was the Tigers who made the most of that.
Sea Eagles 20 Rabbitohs 12
It’s 7 straight losses for the Bunnies as they bow out of finals contention in a losing streak that is reflecting horribly on the club.
They had no answers to a sharp Manly first half, as they capitalised on possession and led the one-way half 18-0
But it was a Rabbitohs run that seemed to be hard to contain in the second half, looking to make it 18-16 if it wasn’t for a horrible NRL Bunker call costing them a try and a chance to level.
The Sea Eagles held on, looking to push for the finals now.
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