rugby league

The Wamp Nga Mt. Hagen Eagles held off the determined PRK Gulf Isou outfit 20-14 in the close and entertaining contest.

The young Isou outfit had worked hard in the preseason and were out with renewed passion to make a statement for this year’s campaign, but were denied with 6 points.

Languishing in last spot on the ladder with one win from five games, the Rabbitohs are averaging just 14 points per game compared to 23.5 per game last season.

They must now try and find a way through a gritty Sharks side that boasts one of the best defences in the NRL and is revitalised after coming off a Round 5 bye.

Mitchell's suspension adds to the woes for the Bunnies, who are also missing star backs Alex Johnston and Campbell Graham to injury, robbing them of much of their potency.

While they could consider themselves unlucky losers against the Wests Tigers back on Easter Monday, Parramatta hardly fired a shot in a 41-8 drubbing at the hands of the Raiders in Round 5.

The absence of injured halfback Mitchell Moses was glaring, as Dylan Brown and Blaize Talagi struggled to get the side around the park efficiently, while giving away 10 penalties didn't help their cause either. 

Stamping their class on the competition after coming from behind to down the premiers at 4 Pines Park, Manly's next challenge is to overcome their recent record on the road after tough trips to Parramatta and Wollongong. 

And there's arguably no greater challenge then travelling across the Tasman to meet with a Warriors side who have well and truly hit their straps, rising to their third-consecutive win on the back of another Shaun Johnson masterclass. 

A real battle of Brisbane was brewing with just two-points the difference at the break before the Broncos went on a rampage with four tries in 14 minutes to blow the game wide open.

The tries came in the wake of a big injury blow for the Dolphins who lost Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to a hamstring injury just over 20 minutes into the match.

After both sides traded sets and early opportunities, the Dolphins finally opened the scoreboard in the 26th minute with Kenny Bromwich picking up a loose Corey Oates ball before finding a charging Jarrod Wallace to score.

Trailing by 4 points after a Josh Addo-Carr hat-trick put the Bulldogs on track for a Round 6 upset, Melbourne dug deep to send new recruit Shawn Blore over for a 75th minute match-winner.

Having also come from behind to steal victories from the Warriors and Broncos at home this season, Craig Bellamy's men once again defended their fortress to secure their fourth victory for the season.

After coming up with a one-on-one steal to hand his side a chance on the line, fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen opened up the scoring for Melbourne after finding space close to the line. 

Senior Digicel Exxon Mobil Cup referee Paul Wani has been inspired to lead in running weekly training sessions for both current and young aspiring referees.

The Roosters will be without a number of their stars, including skipper James Tedesco and halfback Sam Walker, who have both entered concussion protocols, while winger Dom Young has been banned for two matches for a high tackle.

With a number of other players also still sidelined with injury and suspension, coach Trent Robinson has a difficult puzzle to solve this week.

However, the biggest news of the night was the loss of Broncos captain Adam Reynolds who did not return for the second half, ruled out of the game at halftime with a suspected hamstring strain.

Following on from his kicking masterclass last week against the Cowboys, Reynolds was in good form with boot in the first half and if he is to be out for an extended period, it will be a big blow for the Broncos. 

The 19-year-old, who ranks as the tallest player in the NRL at 205cm, has been named on the interchange in place of Xavier Willison who has been ruled out after a head knock at training.

Te Kura, a Queensland U19 representative, has been outstanding in the opening month of the Hostplus Cup for Broncos Affiliate Souths Logan. 

In other team news, fullback Tristan Sailor, backrower Jaiyden Hunt and interchange ace Corey Oates all held their spots in the 17-man squad after strong efforts in Brisbane's 38-12 XXXX Derby thumping of the Cowboys at a sold-out Suncorp Stadium.