Sunday 18 June 2017 11:54, UK
Clinton Gutherson scored two first-half tries as the Parramatta Eels beat St George Illawarra 24-10 on Sunday in Australia's National Rugby League.
The Eels, who moved to ninth spot, built a 12-4 half-time lead and never looked in danger of being chased down as the Dragons slid to sixth place in the standings led by Melbourne Storm.
Eight teams had weekend byes in the abbreviated 15th round due to the second State of Origin match on Wednesday in Sydney. New South Wales leads Queensland in the three-match series 1-0.
On Saturday, teenage halfback Brodie Croft kicked a field goal in extra-time to give first-place Melbourne Storm a 23-22 win over North Queensland.
Playing in his first game of the season, the 19-year Croft helped give Melbourne a four-point edge over the Sydney Roosters, who were among the teams with weekend byes.
In the other Saturday match, the defending champions Cronulla Sharks overcame a 12-4 half-time deficit as back-rower Jayson Bukuya scored a 78th-minute try to beat the Wests Tigers 24-22. That moved the Sharks into third place, level on 22 points with the Roosters but behind on points differential.
On Friday, Angus Crichton scored three tries and Alex Johnston added two as South Sydney recovered from 14 points down to overpower a depleted Gold Coast 36-20, ending a three-game losing streak.
The Rabbitohs trailed 20-10 at half-time but crossed for five unanswered tries in the second half to hand the Titans their fourth straight defeat.
The Gold Coast was missing 11 first-grade players due to injuries and because of Wednesday's Origin match.
