SYDNEY (AP) The Sydney Roosters ended a five-match losing streak at the start of the season with a 17-10 win over South Sydney, while the Brisbane Broncos remained in first place with another dominating victory in the National Rugby League.
Dylan Napa scored a try and made 40 tackles to provide the Roosters with their first competition points of the season, and finally give their die-hard fans something to cheer about.
Premiership-winning coach and television commentator Phil Gould described Napa's first-half performance as ''one of the best defensive displays I've seen in 40 minutes of football from a forward, ever.''
Brisbane opened the sixth round with a 26-0 win over St. George Illawarra, the second week in a row the Dragons were held scoreless.
It was Brisbane's fifth win of the year, third in a row and put them two points clear on top of the standings.
The win by the Broncos, who led 12-0 at halftime, did little to impress their veteran coach Wayne Bennett.
''I just didn't like the way we played tonight, it was just a disjointed game,'' Bennett said. ''It was a better second half, a little bit, but the first half never really happened for either team.''
In other matches, Parramatta moved into second place - level on points with the Melbourne Storm - with a 36-6 win Saturday over Canberra after leading 24-0 at halftime, with Michael Jennings scoring two tries for the Eels.
The defending champion North Queensland Cowboys beat the Penrith Panthers 23-18 and Manly beat the New Zealand Warriors 34-18.
On Sunday, Cronulla plays the Gold Coast Titans and Newcastle hosts the Wests Tigers.
The Storm could pull level with first-place Brisbane on 10 points each with a win Monday over the Bulldogs.
