All the scores from the six NRL trial fixtures scheduled this weekend, including the Titans demolition of Souths and Penrith's last gasp victory over Newcastle.
So far this weekend, we have seen both the Dragons and Warriors continue their good pre-season form. St George Illawarra head into their World Club Challenge following a win over Canterbury, while the Warriors triumphed over Queensland Cup side Burleigh fairly comfortably in front of a big crowd of 8,500 at Whangarei.
The Titans turned on the razzle dazzle at Coffs Harbour, running in eight tries against a woeful defensive effort from South Sydney. Meanwhile, a typically disciplined Storm side showed too much class for a scrappy Canberra outfit. However the match, played at Bega Recreational Oval in front of 6,169 fans, was the Raiders' first pre-season trial.
At Campbelltown Stadium a solid crowd of 12,761 saw the Eels tear the Tigers to shreds. Highlights included an 80 metre intercept from Nathan Hindmarsh, who palmed off players repeatedly before setting up Justin Horo. In his return to Parramatta colours, Casey McGuire played a leading hand from the hooking role.
The clash between Penrith and Newcastle looked set for a 22-all draw, before a stunning last minute try to Adrian Purtell gave his side a six point win. In wet conditions at Alice Springs, a sloppy North Queensland slumped to a 26-4 loss at the hands of Brisbane. Playing for the Broncos, Norths Devils outside back Jack Reed scored a double on the outside of Justin Hodges, who made a succesful return to the paddock.
Friday 18 February 2011
St George Illawarra Dragons 28 defeated Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 18 WIN Stadium, Wollongong Dragons: 28 (Matt Cooper 2, Pene Tagive, Jamie Soward, Nathan Fien tries; Jamie Soward 3, Bronx Goodwin goals) Bulldogs: 18 (Jake Foster, Bryson Goodwin, Michael Lett tries; Bryson Goodwin goal)
South Sydney Rabbitohs 4 lost to Gold Coast Titans 42 Kickoff 7:00pm; BCU International Stadium, Coffs Harbour NSW Rabbitohs: 4 (Nathan Merritt try) Titans: 42 (Preston Campbell 2, Clinton Toopi, David Mead, Joe Vickery, Greg Bird, Steve Michaels, Dominique Peyroux tries; Joe Vickery 3, Scott Prince, Jordan Rankin goals) Click here to view the Titans' match report
Wests Tigers 10 lost to Parramatta Eels 30 Kickoff 7:30pm; Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Leumeah NSW Tigers: 10 (Lote Tuqiri 2 tries, Benji Marshall goal) Eels: 30 (Justin Horo 2, Jeff Robson, Casey McGuire, Jarryd Hayne tries; Luke Burt 5 goals) Click here to view the Eels' match report
Penrith Panthers 28 defeated Newcastle Knights 22 Kickoff 7:30pm; Port Macquarie Regional Stadium, NSW Panthers: 28 (Sandor Earl, Michael Gordon, Kevin Kingston, Jesse Sene-Lefao, Adrian Purtell tries; Michael Gordon 2 goals, goal, goal) Knights: 22 (Mark Taufua, Isaac de Gois, Evarn Tuimavave, Marvin Karawana tries; Wes Naiqama 2, Cory Paterson goals)
Brisbane Broncos 26 defeated North Queensland Cowboys 4 Kickoff 9:00pm; Traeger Park, Alice Springs NT Broncos: 26 (Jack Reed 2, Josh Hoffman, Jordan Kahu, Corey Parker tries; Corey Parker 2, Corey Norman goals) Cowboys: (Kalifa Faifailoa try) The games were also updated via LeagueUnlimited's Twitter service - click here to follow!