Bulldogs close the gap
NRL Results 
/ Andy Morris / 18 August 2009 / Leave a comment Bet Now
The Bulldogs are just two competition points behind the ladder-leading Dragons after coming from behind to beat the Cowboys, writes Andy Morris.
The Bulldogs were six points down at half-time at Dairy Farmers Stadium, but overcame a number of injuries as they stormed back to claim the 22-12 victory.
The Cowboys had gone ahead through a Carl Webb try, before Brett Morris scored to level things up. Willie Tonga grabbed a try to put the home side back in front, but Hazem El Masri scored three minutes into the second half for the Bulldogs.
Bryson Goodwin's try put the Bulldogs ahead and a couple of El Masri goals sealed the deal for the visitors.
The Dragons saw their lead cut after they were beaten 24-12 by the Canberra Raiders.
The premiership favourites were 12-0 up just after half time when full-back Darius Boyd scored their second try from 80m, but the Raiders replied with three tries in eight minutes to turn the game on its head.
It meant the Raiders have now won nine of their past 10 matches against the Dragons, including seven straight at Canberra Stadium.
Newcastle gave new coach Ricky Stone a first-up win as they upset Melbourne 26-14 at Energy Australia Stadium.
The Knights dominated the first 50 minutes, running up a 26-0 lead before holding off the Storm's comeback.
It meant the Knights moved from 11th to seventh place, just two days after sacking Brian Smith.
The Wests Tigers thumped the Sharks 56-10 at Toyota Stadium, earning their sixth consecutive victory.
Five unanswered tries in the first half put them up by 28-0, and they did not relent in the second stanza as they ran in a further five tries.
Benji Marshall scored two tries and landed eight goals in his 100th first-grade game.
Manly won for the first time in three games as it overcame the Roosters 44-12 at the SFS.
The Sea Eagles scored a seven-tries-to-two win, ensuring they made the top eight while leaving the Roosters as warm favourites for the wooden spoon position.
David Williams scored two tries and Michael Robertson ran in a double, making it 10 tries in 11 games against the Roosters.
The Brisbane Broncos posted a fine 58-24 win over Penrith at Suncorp Stadium, thanks to an excellent performance from captain Darren Lockyer.
The Broncos' win ensured they finished the round in eighth place after toughing out the first half then running away with it in the second period.
Seven tries were scored in the first half, the Panthers able to take a 24-18 lead into the break before the Broncos ran in seven unanswered tries after the interval.
Jarryd Hayne set up four of the Parramatta Eels' seven tries as they beat the Warriors 40-4 at Parramatta Stadium.
It left the Eels just one point outside the top eight, with three rounds to go.
The home side were 24-4 ahead at the break, thanks to three tries in eight minutes early in the half.
The Titans beat the Rabbitohs 22-14 at ANZ Stadium, coming from behind in the second half to all-but confirm a place in the top four.
David Mead sealed the deal for the Titans with a try five minutes from time, while the visitors' defence performed heroics throughout the match to keep out the Rabbitohs.
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