SYDNEY - The Wests Tigers put in a big second-half effort but failed to keep pace with National Rugby League leaders Brisbane when they lost to Canberra yesterday.
Behind 10-18 at halftime in a match that began in snow at Bruce Stadium, the Tigers hit the front with three second-half tries,
one of them to Kiwi lock Tyran Smith.
But the Raiders, who scored five tries to four, including one to Kiwi winger Lesley Vainikolo, won 24-22 with a late touchdown from five-eighth Mark McLinden.
At Stadium Australia, Bulldogs winger Daryl Halligan nudged ever closer to former Parramatta great Mick Cronin's premiership points-scoring record of 1971 points during his side's 22-16 win over the Sydney Roosters.
Halligan reaped a try and five goals for a tally of 14 to take him to within 13 points of Cronin's total.
The Northern Eagles gained their first away win of the season by beating St George Illawarra 22-12 at the Sydney Football Stadium.
On Saturday, Penrith became the first side to leave Olympic Park with a win this year when they held on to edge out the Melbourne Storm 23-20.
Kiwi forward Matt Rua scored a converted try early in the second half to help Melbourne to level at 10-10, before Penrith pulled out to a 13-point lead with 10 minutes to go.
In Townsville, Parramatta's young brigade, led by skipper and Kiwi forward Nathan Cayless, proved a handful as they helped the Eels to a 20-6 victory over bottom-placed North Queensland. On Friday night, Brisbane easily accounted for the Sharks 32-4.
- NZPA
