Results | Harold Matthews Rd 1
The Cronulla Sharks have kicked off their premiership defence with a confidence boosting 82-0 victory over South West Sydney. Cameron O'Connor had a field day crossing the line six times, while Declan Casey recorded a hat-trick. Newly appointed captain and five-eighth Kai Broadhurst scored 26 points, booting 13 conversions from 14 attempts. In a polarising circumstance to the previous scoreline, three of the eight matches ended up in a draw.
Parramatta 54 (W Kei 2, C Lea'aetoa 2, D Brown, T Field, S Vtoikamanu, W Seve, L Somerton, J Boumelhen tries; K Schneider 7 goals) bt Central Coast 6 (K Turner try; H Edwards goal)
Illawarra 32 (B Fulton 2, A Sargent, R Sherlock, D Lucas, S O'Ofou tries; A Schoupp 4 goals) bt North Sydney 8 (E Carr, E Christian tries)
Newcastle 26 (J Madden 2, F Carlin, L Humphries, B Gardner tries; P Crossland 3 goals) bt Manly 16 (M Lehman 2, S Afeaki tries, H Wilson 2 goals)
Penrith 18 (H Togise, J Dennis, S Blore tries; D White 3 goals) drew Balmain 18 (B Stevanovic 2, M Tatola tries; Stevanovic 3 goals)
Bulldogs 24 (L Dillon 2, T Talau 2, V Tevaga tries; J Averillo 2 goals) bt St George 8 (H Georgeopolous, D Johnson tries)
Roosters 22 (M Green, I Moretti, D Fuiaono, B Bentley-Hape tries; Bentley-Hape 3 goals) drew South Sydney 22 (D Armstrong, R Leuii, E Saisoaa, P Turner tries; J Taumoepeau 3 goals)
Cronulla 82 (C O'Connor 6, D Casey 3, G Sukanaivalu, A Mortlock, A Thomson, F Pele, J Lualua tries; K Broadhurst 13 goals) bt SWSAS 0
WSAS 12 (A Vaiotu, L Heku tries; Z Duclos 2 goals) drew Canberra 12 (J Church 3 tries)
