Bryson Goodwin of the Bulldogs is tackled by Ben Hornby of the Dragons. Photo / Getty Images
Broncos 28 Titans 6
Dragons 19 Bulldogs 6
There were contrasting fortunes for the top two teams on the NRL ladder last night.
In Sydney, the top-of-the-table Dragons resisted an early Bulldogs onslaught and secured a comfortable victory.
But in Brisbane, the second-placed Titans had no answer to the
push of the born-again Broncos.
For the Brisbane team, the message was clear - whatever it costs to keep Israel Folau, pay it.
Folau, who is being chased by rugby union and Aussie rules, bagged two powerhouse first-half tries as the Broncos continued their revival with an impressive win.
Brisbane's back-row trio of Ben Te'o, Sam Thaiday and Corey Parker, playing his 200th NRL game, were the engine that drove the Broncos forward so Folau, and fullback Josh Hoffman could eat up the metres.
The Broncos led 12-6 at halftime
The Titans, held scoreless in the second 40 minutes, were forced to do too much defence to hold Brisbane's attack.
Utility Matt Gillett, returning from a knee injury, was outstanding, serving up a super flick pass for Te'o to score in the 48th minute and then grabbing a 45m intercept try to complete Brisbane's scoring.
In Sydney, the Dragons were made to look second-rate early as the Bulldogs burst out of the gate.
But once they'd warmed to the task, they ran in three unanswered tries before a Jamie Soward field goal sealed the result with 11 minutes on the clock.
The Bulldogs were up for it in attack and defence, and the Dragons seemed out on their feet until a ruck penalty changed the momentum of not only the match, but possibly the Bulldogs' season, as the blue and whites now have only three wins from the opening ten rounds and face plenty of work to do to secure a finals berth.
From the penalty Ben Creagh outleapt Jamal Idris and juggled the ball to score - and start the Dragons roaring again.
- AAP
