SYDNEY: Josh Reynolds, discarded by New South Wales for this week's State of Origin opener, was Canterbury's hero in their thrilling 41-34 National Rugby League win over Canberra on Sunday.
Reynolds scored two tries and was placed on report before landing a drop goal in the 80th minute to break a 34-all deadlock and ensure Canterbury escaped with the points after leading 26-0.
Scrum-half Moses Mbye scored a try after the restart and converted on full-time to secure victory in the 13-try thriller.
Reynolds was left out of the Blues' side but his scrum-base partner Trent Hodkinson was retained for the Origin opener against Queensland in Sydney on Wednesday.
Only four matches were scheduled for the weekend ahead of the Origin game.
The North Queensland Cowboys achieved a club record of eight straight wins with an 8-0 victory over the Wests Tigers.
For 77 minutes a first-half Ethan Lower penalty goal was the difference in the match -- the lowest-scoring game since the scoreless draw between the Newtown Jets and Canterbury in 1982.
But Cowboys winger Antonio Winterstein sealed the win, breaking through on a dropped ball to score.
A late try to Cameron McInnes gave champions South Sydney a gritty 14-12 win over Parramatta.
Both teams scored three tries, but it was Issac Luke's conversion in front of the posts with only minutes remaining that secured the difference.
It was the second straight week Parramatta had failed to kick a goal, with recalled playmaker Chris Sandow missing two shots and Reece Robinson miscuing a third.
Former Rabbitoh Sandow also missed a penalty attempt right on half-time.
Newcastle Knights host the Brisbane Broncos on Monday in the remaining match of the truncated round.
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