8 Aug 2009

Panthers and Storm win in Australian club league

10:02 am on 8 August 2009

Jeremy Smith scored two tries in his first game for over three months and Jamie Soward became the first man in the NRL this season to score 200 points as St George Illawarra downed Penrith 25-6 at CUA Stadium on Friday night.

The Dragons seventh straight win tightened their already vice-like grip on the minor premiership and ensured they would maintain at least a four-point lead over their closest challengers with just four rounds to go.

Meanwhile Melbourne marched back into the winner's circle with a clinical 20-8 win over North Queensland, continuing their misery at Olympic Park.

The Cowboys haven't won in Melbourne in seven attempts, unable to crack the fortress as they did at the Titans' home ground last round.

The result meant the Storm maintained their position in the top four on the NRL ladder while the Cowboys remained in a three-way tie with the Knights and the Sea Eagles in sixth spot.