League: NRL weekend wrap

Parramatta posted their fifth-straight win under caretaker coach Jason Taylor with a 34-6 demolition of the Wests Tigers in their round 20 encounter at Sydney's Olympic stadium yesterday afternoon.

The Eels' chances of scraping into the top eight have certainly improved over the last month.

They now have 20 points, to sit just one win outside the eight with six matches remaining before the finals. Today's win saw them leapfrog the Tigers on the NRL ladder, sending the finals hopes of the defending premiers now quickly diminishing.

Jarryd Hayne was again at his scintillating best for the Eels, crossing for two four-pointers to move his season tally up to 12 from nine matches.

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The Canberra Raiders kept their hopes of semi-final action alive with a 31-12 win over St George Illawarra in their clash at Canberra stadium yesterday afternoon.

The home side scored five tries to two and the victory gives them 22 points on the NRL ladder, the same as the eighth-placed Newcastle Knights who hold their place in the top half of the competition via superior percentage.

The Dragons, who have now lost back-to-back matches, remain in fourth position on the ladder.

It was the Raiders' fifth-straight win over St George Illawarra, who have not won at Canberra Stadium since 2000.

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A depleted Manly outfit fought back from an 18-point deficit to down Penrith 32-30 in their round 20 match at Brookvale Oval yesterday afternoon.

The Sea Eagles trailed 24-6 at half-time, but four second-half tries, all of which were converted, gave them a six-point lead midway through the second period.

Penrith struck back to equalise when Preston Campbell converted his own try, but a penalty goal to Travis Burns with six minutes remaining proved to be enough to break the deadlock.

Manly's win means they hold onto fifth place on the NRL ladder, while the result sees the Panthers slip to 11th place, but still only one victory outside the top eight.

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In earlier matches, North Queensland Cowboys upset the Brisbane Broncos 26-10, the Newcastle Knights survived a second-half comeback from South Sydney to win that match 24-18, the Bulldogs stayed in the hunt to win the minor premiership with a 25-0 humbling of the Roosters, and the Melbourne Storm surged to their eighth straight win, leaving them six points clear atop the NRL ladder, after a 28-12 win over Cronulla in the Friday night game.

- RADIO AUSTRALIA, HERALD ONLINE STAFF