NRL: Gallen injury mars nail-biting victory for Cronulla

AAP

5 May, 2013 05:30 PM2 mins to read

Centre Jonathan Wright levelled the scores. Photo / Getty Images

Laurie Daley's NSW Origin plans were thrown into disarray yesterday, with captain Paul Gallen suffering a knee injury in Cronulla's dramatic NRL golden point victory over Newcastle.

The Sharks won the first golden point contest of the season 21-20 after a Jeff Robson field goal in the 85th minute. It was Robson's first attempt, after Todd Carney had already had five waved away, and the Knights had three of their own sent wide.

But the major talking point was Gallen's injury which has his State of Origin campaign in doubt.

NRL standings

The 31-year-old has a possible grade two medial ligament tear after twisting awkwardly in a tackle and could be sidelined for up to six weeks.

Newcastle opened the scoring through Dane Gagai, and extended through a penalty goal, before a controversial double to Sharks centre Jonathan Wright levelled the scores.

David Fa'alogo crossed for the Knights after 38 minutes but the Sharks started the stronger after the break, crossing through Beau Ryan. Carney added another but that was cancelled by Tyrone Roberts who scored just 10 minutes from fulltime.

Cronulla's Luke Lewis came up with crucial plays in the dying seconds of regulation.

Michael Jennings came back to haunt Penrith yesterday with two tries as the Sydney Roosters eased to a routine win over his former club at Allianz Stadium.

The NSW centre left the Panthers in the summer in an acrimonious departure from the club he'd been associated with since a schoolboy.

The Panthers more than held their own in the opening period after Jake Friend had opened the scoring in the fifth minute with James Maloney adding the extras.

Ivan Cleary's side grabbed a deserved leveller through rookie fullback Matt Moylan. However, the Roosters scored somewhat against the run of play when Sonny Bill Williams barged his way over.

Jennings' first try after the break knocked the stuffing out of the visitors and Maloney kicked a penalty to stretch the advantage before Jennings added his second.