League: Plenty of drama in weekend's NRL action

It was a weekend of head-starts and comebacks with some favourable results keeping the Warriors in touch with the top eight.

St George Illawarra led the Newcastle Knights 14-0 and won 18-16, with penalties securing the victory. The Bulldogs led 14-0 and prevailed 26-16 over the Melbourne Storm, while Parramatta led Manly 18-6 and though they could not score again they restricted Manly to just one second-half try.

Tigers just hold on

Wests Tigers scored four tries against Canberra in the opening 27 minutes to excite a record crowd of 18,805 at Campbelltown Stadium - then weathered a change in momentum to lead 22-0 at halftime.

The Raiders produced niggles and errors early in the half but could not score, though they then scored three tries through fullback Marshall Chalk, who impressed as he filled in for Clinton Schifcofske, halfback Lincoln Withers and centre Phil Graham.

They then lost concentration and gave turnover ball and the Tigers took it to craft a 28-16 win. Wests Tigers' Bryce Gibbs and Canberra's Ben Cross finished the game in the sinbin for fighting.

There was some of that at Penrith, too, as the Cronulla Sharks won 30-22.

The visitors led 16-6 after Preston Campbell had scored first for the home team, then wings David Simmons and Luke Covell replied.

Gallen scored off a chip by Kiwi Nigel Vagana, who unleashed a smart kicking game. 

Sharks centre Paul Mellor crashed over just after the break, the Panthers replied through Luke Priddis and Rhys Wesser, but then Wesser was sent to the sinbin for holding down Vagana after he had made a big break.

Penrith scored again to bring the score back to 30-22 but the Sharks held on.

Spitting allegation

Manly hooker Shayne Dunley may face the judiciary panel after his Parramatta opposite, former Warrior P.J. Marsh, complained that Dunley had spat on his face and leg following a tackle.

Parramatta won the match 18-12 and coach Brian Smith put the win down to his assistant, Peter Sharp, who shifted back out west after being sacked by Manly.

Sharp had prepared the defensive plan that won the game, Smith said.

The Sea Eagles made many early errors and gave away a series of penalties before halfback Tim Smith's crossfield kick was tapped back by a leaping Luke Burt for Timana Tahu to score.

The video ref denied the Eels a penalty try when Glenn Morrison was held back from a ball sitting in-goal for him - the ruling being that Adam Peek had interfered with Manly fullback Brett Stewart's attempt to take a bomb immediately beforehand.

Knights have lost all 10

St George Illawarra had five players out through State of Origin duty, but the Newcastle Knights had more out through injury in their contest at Newcastle.

The home team slumped to their tenth straight loss, 16-18, in the worst start any club has had to a season since 1969.

Two Wes Naiqama penalties for the Dragons were the difference in what turned into a spiteful game.

Naiqama kicked an early goal, then sliced between two of the home team's backline rookies, Jarrod Mullen and Milton Thaiday, to score a 50m try. Willie Manu then scored and it was 14-0 at the break.

Prop Clint Newton got the home team's first points after 50 minutes, then centres Matt Gidley and George Carmont scored but the Dragons held tough for the last nine minutes.

The Knights' former Kiwi, Craig Smith, is on report and will be charged after a high shot that KO'd Michael Henderson.

Bulldogs barking now

The Bulldogs got their season back on track with a 26-16 win over the Storm in Melbourne, their eleventh triumph in 12 contests.

Kiwi wing Matt Utai made a break that put fullback Luke Patten in after just 60 seconds.

Then rookie Storm fullback Greg Inglis bumbled a bomb but the Dogs' prop fill-in, Brad Morrin, tripped on his way to the line.

However, Hazem El Masri extended their lead with a run from dummy-half and it was 12-0 after six minutes.

Melbourne captain Robbie Kearns crossed next, after 17 minutes, but Utai replied when he ran 85m after intercepting a pass from Scott Hill.

He was unlucky not to get a second, with the video ref ruling that his foot touched the sideline.

When Kiwi prospect Alex Chan dropped the ball, Kiwi Jamaal Lolesi scored. The home team replied late when new centre Josh Graham got Matt Orford's crosskick.

Only 8438 spectators attended at Olympic Park.