ROUND UP

BY ALF WILSON

Electric five eighth

Ezra Mam overcame a painful leg injury to shine for the Brisbane Broncos as they beat the North Queensland Cowboys 30-14 before a sellout crowd at Townsville’s Queensland Country Bank Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Ezra looked in severe discomfort and had one leg strapped but scored a try at the 52nd minute and was dangerous every time he touched the ball.

The rising star also was brutal in defence often tackling much bigger opponents.

He has scored seven tries in his past nine games.

His usual halfback partner, champion playmaker Adam Reynolds missed the game due to a groin injury, and deputising for him was Jock Madden.

The Cowboys were without quality centre Valentine Holmes who was suspended for a month.

Reuben Cotter had his usual good game for the Cowboys in defence and attack.

The Cowboys have dropped to ninth on

The second-placed Broncos face the Parramatta Eels at the Gabba in Brisbane in round 24.

Gagai knight in shining armour

A best on the ground performance from experienced centre Dane Gagai led the Newcastle Knights to a nail biting 30-28 victory over the Dolphins in front of 42,000 spectators in Perth on Saturday.

Dane made numerous telling runs and was solid in defence as the Knights moved to seventh on the ladder.

Winger Jamayne

Isaako scored three first half tries for the Dolphins, who were inspired by Hamiso “Hammer” TabuaiFidow.

Although he wore the number one jumper, Hammer lined up in the centres.

The Dolphins will meet the Sydney Roosters at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium next week whilst the Knights are back home at McDonald Jones Stadium to take on the Bulldogs.

Seb consistent

A position change from fullback to the centres paid handsome dividends for Canberra Raiders’ Sebastian “Seb” Kris when he scored two tries the 22-18 win over the West Tigers on Sunday.

Seb scored at the

25th and 44th minutes which propelled the Green Machine into fifth spot on the 17 club NRL ladder.

It was Seb’s 10th try of the season and he is fast becoming one of the most consistent backs in the comp.

Later on Seb left the field with a hamstring injury at the 52nd minute and will be missed if unavailable for the Raiders next match against the Melbourne Storm. Fifita scores 7th for season

Tough forward David Fifita scored a try at the 23rd minute when his side the Gold Coast Titans lost 28-18 to the high rolling New Zealand Warriors on Saturday night.

He was, once again, one of the Titans’ best, running from dummy half to score from close range for his seventh try of the season.

The 13th placed Titans will head down to Sydney to meet with the Cronulla Sharks at PointsBet Stadium while the third placed Warriors host the Wests Tigers at FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton.

AJ’s bumper season Winger Alex “AJ” Johnston scored a try which was the 185th of his long career when his side the South Sydney Rabbitohs lost 26-16 to the Cronulla Sharks in Perth on Saturday.

The Sharks, who were inspired by Dally M winner and champion halfback Nicko Hynes, led 26-nil early in the second half.

The Rabbitohs fought back with three quick tries with the first at the 62nd minute out wide by AJ.

AJ had another try disallowed just before halftime when the bunker ruled his leg had touched the side line.

This week the Rabbitohs will take on the St George Dragons in Cairns in a Saturday night blockbuster.