Two nailbiters in NRL on Friday night

June 21, 2008

Two matches were played in the National Rugby League on Friday night. Both matches were decided by a field goal.

Brisbane Broncos took on the Wests Tigers at home in Brisbane. After a tight first half the Tigers scored out wide just before the halftime break to lead the match 12-8.

The Broncos hit back in the second half with tries in the 49th minute to Denan Kemp and to Nick Kenny in the 52nd minute. The Tigers got the match back on level terms after a converted Liam Fulton try in the 65th minute. The score was now 18-18.

A Karmichael Hunt field goal in the 73 minute broke the deadlock. There was some controversy over the fact that a Broncos player shielded Hunt as he lined up for the field goal.

Coach Wayne Bennett said after the match that his team won ugly. Without some star players the Broncos could not play their usual entertaining brand of league and had to work hard for the victory.

In the other match in Sydney the St George Illawarra Dragons played Penrith Panthers. The Penrith team were fielding some new players due to the injury troubles they are experiencing. The enthusiasm of the debutants seemed to do the trick for the Panthers as the built a 12-0 lead.

Rhys Wesser had opened the scoring for the Panthers in the 8th minute and Luke Lewis strolled over on the 37 minute mark to establish the lead. In further bad news for Penrith, Wesser left the field injured after suffering a stomach strain.

In the second half it was the Dragons who did all the scoring. First Ben Creagh went over after 52 minutes and then in a twinkling of an eye Josh Morris went over after a Jamie Soward chip kick opened up the Panthers.

Jamie Soward was the hero for St George as he slotted over a field goal with 8 minutes left in the match. Penrith were not able to hit back.

St George have now strung together five wins. This is a feat they have not achieved since 2006. Penrith battled bravely for most of the match however their injury toll just has to have some impact and in the end they could not get past St George.

Written by rob · Filed Under Rugby League 

Comments

Got something to say?