SYDNEY - Newcastle moved into second spot on the National Rugby League points table yesterday after a 30-10 win away at Penrith.
The Knights scored six tries to two, with Andrew Johns, battling to be picked at his favourite position of halfback rather than hooker in the Australian lineup for next
month's Anzac test, in influential form.
The result puts the Knights equal on nine points with Wests Tigers, four behind runaway leaders Brisbane.
The Tigers lost their chance to stay in sole second spot after a remarkable 6-35 loss to the Sydney Roosters at the Sydney Football Stadium.
The Roosters spent most the match with 12 men after having a player sent off, but still scored six tries - three to centre Shannon Hegarty - against a disorganised Tigers who had two of their own players sinbinned in the second half for backchat.
Roosters skipper Brad Fittler put in a superb display at standoff with his kicking game and running at the opposition line.
There was also a surprise result at Stadium Australia, where North Queensland beat the Canterbury Bulldogs 18-8. The Cowboys scored three tries to one.
The Auckland Warriors' 8-36 home loss to St George-Illawarra on Saturday continued their plunge down the ladder to second to last, just one point above North Queensland.
But defending champions Melbourne continued their revival with their third win in succession.
The Storm edged out Parramatta 16-12 at Olympic Park, but winger Marcus Bai was taken to hospital after slicing his arm against a metal drain while trying unsuccessfully to prevent an Eels try.
With Melbourne opting to have no backs on their bench, Kiwi forward Matt Rua found himself as an unlikely replacement winger.
At Brookvale Oval, the Northern Eagles scored the biggest victory of their brief existence by beating the third-placed Sharks 30-2 in a five-try performance.
On Friday night, Brisbane again showed their final-quarter superiority over opposition teams to down Canberra 14-6, scoring two tries in the last 10 minutes.
- NZPA
