SYDNEY - Merged clubs Wests Tigers and St George-Illawarra Dragons have kept their National Rugby League playoff hopes alive with upset wins.
With five rounds remaining, both clubs risked dropping out of the top eight if they lost yesterday. Their wins leave 10 teams still realistically fighting for a playoff berth.
The Tigers ended a four-match losing trot and moved back into eighth place, replacing the Parramatta Eels, who they beat 18-16.
The Eels led 12-0 at halftime, with New Zealand second-rower and captain Nathan Cayless scoring a try.
With their playoff hopes teetering, the Tigers rallied in the second half. Replacement Michael Gillett scored his first two tries of the year to help them to an 18-12 lead.
New Zealand fullback David Vaealiki crashed over for Parramatta with 15 seconds remaining, leaving Clinton Schifcofske with a match-tying conversion attempt 2m in from the touchline. It hit the post.
The Dragons held out the Newcastle Knights to win 36-24.
Second-half comebacks are becoming fashionable and it was the Knights who looked likely, reducing a 6-26 halftime deficit to 24-26 with 15 minutes remaining. However, two late tries took the Dragons home.
Yesterday's other game was comparatively dull, with the Northern Eagles racing to a 24-0 lead before beating the North Queensland Cowboys 24-12 in Gosford.
The Cowboys remain on the bottom of the table, with the Warriors second-last.
Leaders the Brisbane Broncos overpowered the Canterbury Bulldogs 48-18 on Saturday.
The Sydney Roosters are in second place, with the Penrith Panthers and Canberra Raiders sharing third after the Panthers were too classy in their 36-14 win.
The Sharks lost 16-22 to Melbourne on Friday night.
- NZPA
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