NRL: Broncos snap losing streak

Corey Parker of the Broncos breaks through the Knights defence during the round 13 NRL match between the Brisbane Broncos and the Newcastle Knights. Photo / Getty Images.

An under-strength Brisbane side has inflicted a fourth straight NRL defeat on Sydney Roosters, winning 40-22 in a match marred by a series of gaffes by referees Matt Cecchin and Adam Devcich.

The performances of Cecchin, who last week was dumped from Wednesday's second State of Origin clash, Devcich and the video referee are sure to come under scrutiny with three tries being awarded in controversial circumstances.

First the Roosters' Tinirau Arona dropped the ball over the line, but Cecchin opted not to go to the video referee. Then on the stroke of halftime, impressive Broncos' halfback Peter Wallace drove his way over the line but appeared to promote the ball in a double-movement - video referee Bernard Sutton gave him the benefit of the doubt, much to the fury of home supporters, before the halftime siren bizarrely sounded with a minute of the first half remaining.

That fury turned to apoplexy four minutes after the restart.

Roosters centre Joseph Leilua was wrestled to the ground by Broncos winger Lachlan Maranta. One referee called "Roosters ball", the other "Broncos Ball", but before the confused home side had time to react, Maranta ripped the ball from Leilua's grasp and, without playing the ball, then passed to Alex Glenn who scored.

In a game played in driving rain at Allianz Stadium, Anthony Griffin's side, who were without six players through Queensland Origin commitments, ran in seven tries to the Roosters' four.

Also in Sydney, Cronulla centre Colin Best celebrated his 250th NRL appearance with a crucial second-half try, as the Sharks snapped a two-match losing streak with a 22-12 win over Gold Coast at Toyota Stadium.

Best, 33, notched the 106th try of his 15-year career to give the Sharks a 16-6 advantage.

The Titans cut the deficit to four points with a try to centre Beau Champion, but hooker Issac De Gois scored a match-clinching four-pointer.

The struggling Sharks consolidated their top-eight spot as they notched just their second victory in five games.

- AAP