Blake scores twice as Panthers move a step closer to NRL top 8 finish

Fiji Bati Centre Waqa Blake was instrumental crossing over for 2 tries to help his Panthers side move one step closer to the NRL top 8 finish with a hard‑fought 24‑16 victory over the Titans last night.

Titans Fullback Jarryd Hayne crossed over for the opening try of the game but the momentum swung shortly minutes out from the half‑time break when Waqa Blake picked up a loose ball from Tyrone Roberts to race 60 metres to the try line against the run of play.

In other matches, the top‑of‑the‑table Storm have severely dented the Raiders’ finals aspirations with a 20‑14 victory while the Cowboys have also defeated the Warriors 24‑12.

Today the Dragons face the Sea Eagles at 4pm and the Tigers take on the Eels at 6pm.