SYDNEY: The Canberra Raiders climbed to third spot in Australia's National Rugby League with a 54-4 demolition of hapless South Sydney on Sunday.
Ricky Stuart's Raiders crossed for 10 tries for their fifth consecutive win, moving above defending champions North Queensland and consolidating a top four position in the competition standings.
The contest was over by halftime, with the Raiders opening up a lead of 26-0 over the dispirited Rabbitohs. They went on to post their biggest-ever win over Souths, surpassing their 48-0 victory in 1990.
Melbourne joined the Cronulla Sharks at the top of the standings after downing the Cowboys 16-8 in Townsville on Saturday.
North Queensland were without their inspirational Test playmaker Johnathan Thurston. The Storm have now opened up an eight-point lead over the fourth-placed Cowboys heading into the business end of the season.
Storm's Test scrum-half Cooper Cronk was the difference, setting up two of his side's three tries.
The Cronulla Sharks will regain their competition lead if they beat the Titans on the Gold Coast on Monday.
Canterbury are in fifth place after holding off St George Illawarra 13-10 on Friday, despite being held scoreless in the second half.
New Zealand Test scrum-half Shaun Johnson lifted the Warriors to a golden-point 20-16 win over Penrith in Auckland on Saturday to move into the top eight positions.
Johnson scored beside the goal-posts with a minute of extra time remaining after shaping to attempt a drop goal.
It was a change in fortunes for the Warriors, who had lost three of their previous four games after the 80 minutes were up.
Easy-beats Newcastle equalled a club-record 13 straight defeats with their 16-36 loss to Manly at Brookvale Oval on Sunday.
Under coach Nathan Brown, the Knights have posted just one win in 19 games this season.
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