RND
20 MATCH WRAP UPS
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SHARKS 40 bt EAGLES 18
THE Sharks scored their fifth straight win with a commanding 40-18 victory over the embattled Northern Eagles at Toyota Park tonight. The late inclusion of John Hopoate in the Eagles' starting line-up was the only notable moment of their forgettable night, as they finished on the end of a nine-tries-to-three hiding. Sharks half-back Preston Campbell started the carnage, setting up a try and scoring another in the opening five minutes. A woeful night with the boot from the Sharks was the only thing to spare the Eagles further embarrassment, as they landed only two goals from nine attempts. Northern Eagles captain Geoff Toovey added to their headaches when he was placed on report for tripping right on half time.
COWBOYS 34 bt DRAGONS 10
NORTH Queensland thrashed St George Illawarra 34-10 at Dairy Farmers Stadium tonight but it has not been enough to push the Dragons out of the top eight. Losses to the Roosters and Melbourne saved St George Illawarra from further embarrassment after the struggling Cowboys scored six tries to two in a boilover. North Queensland scored four tries in eight minutes to build on a 16-4 half-time lead and seal its fifth win of the season. And when fullback Trent Leis scored with 22 minutes to play the game was all but over. The 62nd minute try to NQ winger Brian Jellick summed up the Dragons' night, the Kiwi international diving on the ball after half Chris Sheppard kicked the ball through a group of disinterested St George Illawarra players. Cowboys pivot Josh Hannay outplayed Kangaroo five eighth Trent Barrett, who along with Dragons stars Nathan Blacklock, Amos Roberts and captain Craig Smith had a sub par evening. Only winger Jamie Ainscough played up to reputation, scoring one and starting the other Dragons try, the 22nd of the season to Blacklock. NQ skipper Paul Bowman capped off a great night for the Cowboys, scoring under the posts inside the final minute after a break by hooker George Gatis.
PANTHERS 26 bt ROOSTERS 16
THE Sydney Roosters slumped to their fourth consecutive defeat tonight when they lost 26-16 to bottom-of-the-table Penrith at Penrith Stadium tonight. However, the Roosters should retain sixth spot after round 20 losses to St George Illawarra, Melbourne and the Northern Eagles. The Panthers tightened their previously leaky defence tonight to end a seven-match losing streak. But the victory wasn't enough to move them off the foot of the table thanks to the Cowboys' upset win over the Dragons in Townsville tonight. Roosters coach Graham Murray must have given his players a gobful at halftime when they went to the break trailing 24-6. Referee Tony Archer took the safety-first option tonight, calling upon video referee Peter Filmer to make a decision six times on whether a try had been scored. He denied three "tries" and awarded another three. The Roosters drew first blood in the second half when five-eighth Craig Wing, who scored two tries in his new role, brushed off halfback Ben Reynolds and two more defenders to cross under the posts. Fitzgibbon converted to narrow the gap to 24-12 before Girdler potted a penalty goal to put his side in front 26-12. Matt Sing scored a consolation try for the Roosters just 50 seconds before fulltime and although the Roosters won the second half 10-2, it won't be enough to keep their critics at bay. Penrith went to the halftime break leading 24-6 after tries to David Woods, Luke Rooney, Chris Hicks and Renolds. The highlight of the half came just five seconds before the halftime siren when a determined Hicks took three defenders over the line to touch down in the corner.