FIVE FOR WEATHERALL
Illawarra have set up a mouthwatering top of the table clash against the Sharks next weekend after holding off a valiant Panthers outfit 42-30 to remain undefeated in the 2018 Tarsha Gale Cup.
With an emphatic attacking record so far this season, the try-scoring prowess of Lily-Rose Bennett and Madison Weatherall have been too tough to handle for opposition defenders.
Weatherall crossed for five tries in another dominant performance, including four unanswered tries in the second half to lead her side to their eighth consecutive victory.
DRAGONS UPSET MANLY
The St George Dragons have endured a rollercoaster UNE Harold Matthews season so far in 2018 but managed to record a hard-fought 22-18 upset victory over the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles.
The Sea Eagles had firmly cemented themselves as genuine competition heavyweights in recent weeks but were unable to continue their dominance against a rejuvenated Dragons side who were desperate for just their second win of the season.
Manly shot out to an early 14-0 lead with three unanswered tries in the first 10 minutes, before the Dragons hit back with three tries in quick succession shortly after.
Despite the Sea Eagles desperate to salvage a late comeback in the second half, both sides were unable to do further damage to the scoreboard with the Dragons gutsy defensive efforts enough to hold onto a slender four-point lead.
SHARKS AND BALMAIN EVEN
Nothing could separate the Sharks and Balmain in Round 8 of the UNE Harold Matthews Competition, as they battled out a hard-fought 20-all draw on Saturday afternoon.
The Sharks were brimming with confidence following their commanding 58-6 over the Bears a week prior, but were up against a Balmain side looking to bounce back from their two-point loss to Manly in Round 7.
With Balmain leading with just five minutes remaining, a try to Sharks centre Douglas Levi levelled the scores, with the four-pointer unable to be converted as both sides eventually shared the competition points.
BULLDOGS TOO GOOD
The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs may be out of the race for a top-four finish, but have timed their run perfectly ahead of the finals after recording a dominant 60-4 victory over the Eels in Round 8 of the UNE SG Ball competition.
Coming off a comfortable win over South Sydney in Round 7, another clinical attacking display saw them cross for 10 tries with their strong performance helping them jump to fifth place on the competition ladder.
Five-eighth Tommy Talau continued his stellar from with two impressive tries, while centre Jake Averillo finished with a perfect kicking record as he nailed 10 conversions from as many attempts.
