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Upsets rule in race for finals

Upset wins by Newcastle and the Sydney Tigers yesterday have given the Australian Rugby League race for places in the top eight an intriguing new look. Out of the picture a week ago, the Tigers are suddenly back in contention following their 16-14 win over Illawarra. And Newcastle, all but written off after poor results in recent weeks, also revived their hopes with a fine 28-12 win over Sydney City. Both clubs must now win their final two games and hope other's results go their way to reach the finals.

On a weekend of upsets, premiership front-runners Manly and Sydney City both suffered surprise losses. While Newcastle's win over Sydney City wasn't totally unexpected, Penrith's defeat of high-flying Manly rates as one of the upsets of the year. Without six regular first graders, a young Panthers side downed the Sea Eagles 18-14. Manly scored three tries to Penrith's two, but poor goal-kicking from the normally reliable Matthew Ridge cost them dearly. Full-back Robbie O'Davis gave one of the season's best individual displays in Newcastle's convincing defeat of the Roosters.

The former Queensland State of Origin star scored a try, ran strongly with the ball and produced several try saving tackles. St George ensured they will compete in the play-offs with an easy 26-8 win over South Queensland. The Dragon's win - their eight on the trot - was achieved with a minimum of fuss against the strife-torn Crushers. A late try to centre Asa Milford gave the Tigers their last gasp win over Illawarra. The Steelers led for most of the second half but the sin binning of prop David Walsh for the final minutes of the game proved decisive. A passing movement saw Milford crash over in the last 60 seconds to snatch victory for the Tigers.

Brisbane again failed to produce the goods on Saturday night, scrambling to a scrappy 20-18 win over battlers South Sydney, while the Western Reds continued their end-of-year revival with a 30-4 thrashing of North Queensland.

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