NRL Super Saturday Wrap

A major upset by the Newcastle Knights has highlighted today's National Rugby League action, the cellar dwellers registering a come-from-behind 16-10 win over second-placed Parramatta in Sydney.

With the New Zealand Warriors and North Queensland Cowboys also recording victories, the NRL ladder becomes even more congested and the competition for finals spots even more intense.

Parramatta looked to be on course for an easy win at home when they raced out to a 10-nil lead after ten minutes, Paul Stringer and former Knight Timana Tahu crossing for the Eels. But the underdog Knights replied through Trent Salkeld and Brad Tighe to level the scores by half time.

George Carmot scored what became the winning try in the 48th minute and despite numerous chances, the Eels were unable to finish off and in defeat, went scoreless for the last 70 minutes. Knights skipper Danny Buderus was inspirational for his side and Andrew Johns won his battle over young gun Tim Smith, Newcastle winning three of their past five games since Joey's retun from injury.

Parramatta remain in second place but blew a great opportunity to close the gap on the league-leading Broncos and have now dropped two straight matches to teams outside the eight.

Hot on Parramatta's heels are North Queensland, who moved into third place by snapping a two-game losing streak to easily account for Penrith 38-18 in Townsville. New signing Brett Firman starred for the Cowboys, setting up two tries and scoring one himself, while Josh Hannay returned to form with a personal tally of 22 points from two tries and seven goals.

Panthers five eighth Preston Campbell sent shock waves through the local crowd when he scored an early intercept try, sprinting 90 metres to score. But Penrith could not consolidate and the Cowboys hit back hard, establishing a match-winning 30-6 half time advantage. The visitors scored two tries to one in the second half but the match failed to reach any great heights after the break.

In the early match, the New Zealand Warriors moved to within striking distance of the top eight by winning a physical match against the visiting Canberra Raiders. Despite a mighty defensive effort from the Raiders, the Warriors scored four tries to three and took the match 24-16.

An early try to Jerome Ropati put the Warriors in the box seat and enjoying majority of possession, the home side had the Raiders on the back foot for most of the afternoon. Canberra did strike back against the run of play through Matt Adamson but Lance Hohaia replied almost immediately.

Although the Warriors never relinquished the lead, Canberra lifted after the break, defending stoutly and matching New Zealand's two try effort in the second half.

The Warriors have moved past the Sydney Roosters into eleventh place, two points behind the four teams occupying seventh to tenth spots, including the Raiders. The Melbourne Storm, the side with the best points differential, could amazingly fall out of the eight tomorrow if they lose to the Roosters and the Dragons and Tigers win.

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