NRL round-up: Alex Johnston scores five tries as Rabbitohs hammer Penrith
Sunday 2 July 2017 11:48, UK
Alex Johnston helped himself to five tries as the South Sydney Rabbitohs crushed Penrith Panthers 42-14 in the NRL on Sunday.
While Johnston cashed in on South Sydney's dominance it was scrum-half Adam Reynolds who orchestrated the rout, putting in four kick assists for his side's seven tries.
Johnston's five-try haul equalled the club record and took over as the leading NRL season try-scorer with 15.
It was only the Rabbitohs sixth win of a disappointing season and lifted them to 11th spot after 16 rounds.
Leaders Melbourne Storm hammered the Brisbane Broncos 42-12 to open a four-point lead over Cronulla, Manly and Sydney Roosters.
Suliasi Vunivalu, Curtis Scott and Josh Addo-Carr all claimed try doubles as the Storm remained unbeaten over the Broncos in Brisbane since 2009.
Defending champions Cronulla overpowered the Roosters 44-12 to send a reminder that the NRL Premiership isn't a one-horse race.
Live Betfred Super League
The Sharks put in easily their best performance of the season, with back-rower Wade Graham leading the way with two try assists and running a total of 108 metres.
Manly continued their mid-season surge with a 26-22 win over the New Zealand Warriors in Perth.
Daly Cherry-Evans produced a man-of-the-match performance as the Sea Eagles fought back from 16-0 down.
A dominant display from North Queensland scrum-half Michael Morgan helped the Cowboys to victory over Canberra, leaving the Raiders' season on life support.
The Cowboys scored a 31-18 victory, with Morgan scoring a try-scoring double and setting up two more in the absence of Johnathan Thurston's season-ending shoulder injury.
Live Betfred Super League
Mitchell Moses kicked a field goal in extra time to give Parramatta a 13-12 win over Canterbury. The Bulldogs, who trailed 12-2 at half-time but staged a comeback to force extra time, lost for the seventh time in eight matches.
Winger Anthony Don scored three tries to lead the Gold Coast Titans to a 20-10 win over St George Illawarra while Wests Tigers were 33-12 winners in their basement battle with Newcastle Knights.
