Roosters have every reason to crow

SYDNEY - Normal service resumed in the National Rugby League yesterday as the Bulldogs and Sydney Roosters ended a series of upsets to consolidate their places in the top four.

The Roosters lost skipper Brad Fittler early with a shoulder injury but eventually beat South Sydney 22-12 at Aussie Stadium, while across the harbour the Bulldogs crushed Manly 56-24 at Brookvale Oval.

The reigning premiers looked in trouble without Fittler and trailed 12-10 at halftime before tries to winger Todd Byrne in the 48th minute and second rower Chris Flannery 11 minutes from fulltime gave them a sixth successive win.

The Roosters leapfrogged Penrith, who had a bye, to be on course for a first minor premiership since 1981.

Hazem El Masri equalled the world record for consecutive goals as the Bulldogs moved into third place in devastating style.

El Masri kicked his 35th goal in succession to equal a mark set by former New Zealand international Henry Paul in England two years ago. He earlier set an NRL record with his 31st attempt, eclipsing the mark of Kiwi Daryl Halligan.

El Masri's feat came as the Bulldogs scored 10 tries, including a third successive hat-trick to Kiwis wing Matt Utai.

Melbourne's 50-12 win over Parramatta pushed the New Zealand Warriors back to seventh.

The lowly Wests Tigers, spearheaded by New Zealand schoolboy Benji Marshall, extended Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium jinx on Saturday night with a gutsy 12-10 win.

Canberra were upset 34-28 by North Queensland, while Cronulla beat the Dragons 25-16.

- NZPA