Cronulla on track

Sun avenges Rio rival Horton with 400m free world title Storm lose stars in win against Raiders

SYDNEY, July 23, (AFP): Melbourne Storm lost stars Cameron Smith and Billy Slater with injuries but protected their National Rugby League competition lead with a controversial 20-14 win over the Canberra Raiders this weekend.

Test Skipper Smith suffered a left pectoral injury and fullback Slater was knocked out by a brutal high tackle from Sia Soliola and was taken from the field on a stretcher.

Soliola was not sent off for the incident and instead was placed on the referee’s report.

Wayne Bennett’s Brisbane Broncos likely ended Canterbury’s finals hopes with a 4212 hammering.

Brisbane used the first game of the post-Origin period to play themselves back into form while the Bulldogs are stranded in 13th place, six points adrift from the top eight with only six rounds to play.

Defending champion Cronulla’s top-four hopes remain on track after downing South Sydney 26-12.

North Queensland won their fourth-straight game with a 24-12 win over the New Zealand Warriors in Townsville.

St George Illawarra reignited their finals hopes by pounding the Manly Sea Eagles 52-22 on Sunday.

The Dragons produced the best first half of any team this year to lead 30-0, yet four Manly tries reduced the margin to eight points before the home team regained control.