Brisbane get the points at Suncorp
over Souths

Fulltime score: Round 12 Brisbane Broncos 36 v South Sydney Rabbitohs 12 Match summary:

The Brisbane Broncos have defeated South Sydney 36-12 at Suncorp Stadium this evening with several Broncos backing up three days after the epic opening Origin match on Wednesday night. Souths to their credit, never stopped trying but a distinct lack of class told the tale for the visitors.

In a evenly contested first half, the Broncos went to the half time break holding a narrow four point lead and Souths looked very much in the game but once they resumed for the second half, Souths simply had no answer for the Broncos skill and speed but in saying that, the Broncos were well below their best.

Souths put in their best performance for some time but some shocking calls from the video ref did nothing to help Souths cause and either did Shaun Berrigan, getting a triple to maintain his place at the head of the leading try scorers list, with an amazing 14 tries from 12 matches. If Berrigan manages to keep scoring at the same rate for the remainder of the season, he may well pass 30 tries and set a new NRL record.

Souths coach Shaun McRae can take heart from the loss and know he does have some honest toilers and two very bright prospects in John Sutton and Trent Young. Both had fine games in a well beaten side and caused the Broncos defence headaches all night. However, with the Gold Coast?s inclusion in 2007, Souths will need to make some very astute purchases come June 30 or they could find themselves anchored to the bottom of the ladder for the foreseeable future.

Scorers: BRISBANE BRONCOS 36 Tries: S Berrigan 3, Hodges 3, Minto Goals: Lockyer 4/6, Seymour 0/1 defeated STH SYDNEY RABBITOHS 12 Tries: Polglase, Sutton Goals: B Walker 2/3

Suncorp Stadium Referee: Sean Hampstead Half time: Broncos 12-8

Live commentary: 1st min: Kickoff! We are underway at Suncorp Stadium.

10th min: The Bunnies are under the pump as Brisbane apply the pressure with Souths having to endure repeat sets of six early in the match. Still no score.

10th min: No try given by video ref Chris Ward after Leon Bott looked to have scored in the corner. Souths lucky to be still level with the Broncos.

11th min: Souths blow a scoring chance with an unforced error right in front of the Broncos posts. John Sutton is causing the Broncs concerns out wide.

14th min: TRY - Broncos. Souths couldn't hold on as Shaun Berrigan finished off a sweeping Broncos backline movement to get the Broncos on the board. Can Souths hit back and maintain their composure or will they fold like a house of cards? Conversion successful. Broncos 6-0.

20th min: John Sutton is run into touch as Souths were building on a very good set of six but a poor finish yet again brought all the good work to nothing.

22nd min: Souths knock on and are under pressure inside their own thirty as the Broncos look to extend their lead.

27th min: Try - Souths. Todd Polglase scores in teh corner after some great lead up work from John Sutton, who is having an excellent game and causing the Broncos defence plenty of headaches. Souths are playing determined footy and making plenty of yards in every set of six. Toucline conversion an absolute ripper. 6 all.

32nd min: PENALTY GOAL - Souths. Ben Walker pushes Souths into the lead after Brad Watts made a superb 80 metre run to be pulled down metres from the line by Karmichael Hunt. Brisbane were never onside and Souths have made them pay. Souths 8-6.

35th min: Brett Seymour is penalised for a lifting tackle on Brad Watts and may find himself with a case to answer come Monday morning. Souths are playing well above their weight and are doing it well leading into half time.

38th min: TRY - Broncos. Shaun Berrigan races 80 metres to score after Souths were pressing the Broncos line and knocked on in the play the ball. Brisbane have made them pay the ultimate price for their mistake with Berrigan showing no mercy. Conversion successful. Broncos 12-8.

HALF TIME: Souths are within four points of the Broncos but they should probably be in front if not for unforced errors in the Broncos red zone. Brisbane were under seige for the last ten minutes but in true Broncos style, they hit you hard when you least expect it and hold a narrow four point lead going into half time. It's critical for Souths not to lose their composure and let their heads drop. They did a lot of positive things in the first half and are still very much in the match. The question is, do they have the self belief to come out and play another positive forty minutes?

41st min: We are underway in the second half and can Souths produce the mother of all upsets or will Brisbane edge ever closer to another finals berth and come out of round twelve in first place?

44th min: TRY - Broncos. Scott Minto scores in the corner after receiving a beautiful flick pass from Justin Hodges. Souths have been their own worst enemy in the opening five minutes with penalties and unforced errors again killing off any momentum. Conversion unsuccessful. Broncos 16-8.

48th min: TRY - Broncos. Souths have put the cue in the rack and the Broncos are coasting now. This time it was Minto the Hodges who improves the position to ensure Lockyer makes no mistake with the conversion. Broncos 22-8.

53rd min: Scott Logan held up over the line on the fourth tackle and on the last Souths attacking the Broncos line, kick the ball out on the full and ease the pressure on the Broncos. A very poor last tackle option.

57th min TRY - Broncos. Absolutely shocking decision from the video ref to award Justin Hodges a try. Hodges and Minto were both offside from the Berrigan bomb and Minto looked to have knocked the ball on but the video ref obviously saw it differently. Farcical decision at best. Conversion unsuccessful. Broncos 26-8.

65th min: TRY - Broncos. It's getting ugly for Souths now and the truly don't deserve to half a cricket score run up on them tonight but the Broncos are a merciless team and will make you pay every time. Shaun Berrigan gets his third try to lead the NRL with 14 tries in 12 matches. Quite a record indeed. Conversion successful. Broncos 32-8.

70th min: TRY - Souths. John Sutton sets up a good inside ball to send Garth Wood over in the corner and give the score board some much needed respectability in the dying stages of the match. Conversion unsuccessful. Broncos 32-12.

75th min: Souths are still in there battling away but poor options have cost them any chance of bridgin the deficit and adding some respectability to the scoreline. Brisbane were well below their best tonight bus still managed to win comfortably.

80th min: TRY - Broncos. Justin Hodges rubs salt into Souths already gaping wound with a late try to blow the scoreline out but Hdoges has played well and like Berrigan, bagged himself a hat trick and gets his name back into the minds of the Queensland selectors. Conversion unsuccessful. Broncos 36-12

FULL TIME: Brisbane have run out comfortable winners over Souths but full credit to the visitors who played their hearts out. But unforced errors and some dubious decisions cost Souths any chance of competing with the Broncos for the full eighty minutes.

----------------------------------------- Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 - S Berrigan (Broncos) 2 - J Sutton (Souths) 1 - K Hunt (Broncos) -----------------------------------------