Upton shines as Brigginshaw makes NRLW history, after Sharks’ costly win over the Titans

Brigginshaw has been the face of the women’s game for years and it was only fitting that she brought up the major milestone a day before Roosters duo Isabelle Kelly and Keeley Davis joined her on 50 games.

She’s been dominant at all levels with three NRLW titles, World Cup glory and State of Origin victories, and she could be on track for another premiership after her teammates picked apart Parramatta’s defence with ease.

The veteran halfback didn’t have to do much as Tamika Upton showed why she is the best player in the world right now with five try assists in Brisbane’s win, while centres Julia Robinson and Mele Hufanga both bagged doubles.

Robinson laid on the first try of the afternoon for Hayley Maddick and then grabbed two in three minutes just before half-time thanks to a couple of short balls from Upton.

It was one-way traffic after that with Hufanga and Romy Teitzel combining for four tries in nine minutes as the Broncos put a dent in Parramatta’s top-six hopes.

SHARKS’ WIN COMES AT A COST

Cronulla’s win over the Titans has come at a massive cost with star centre Annessa Biddle suffering a dislocated left elbow while four of her teammates were placed on report in a dour contest in the Shire.

The 12-8 victory was the first time they’ve won back-to-back matches this season, but last year’s beaten grand finalists face a tough finish to the year without Biddle who has been a metre-eating machine for them.

The Sharks are already without rep star Quincy Dodd to an ankle injury and could be without back-rower Anne-Marie Kiria-Ratu if the match review committee charges her for a hip-drop tackle that saw her sent to the sin bin.

She was one of four Sharks players placed on report on Saturday afternoon, but their poor discipline didn’t cost them in the end thanks to three minutes of Emma Verran brilliance.

The in-form fullback got her side back into the contest with a powerful solo effort and then threw the final pass a couple of sets later to set up Cassie Staples.

Chantay Kiria-Ratu then nailed a penalty goal with seven minutes to go to break the 8-all deadlock after enduring a horror few weeks with the boot.

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The Titans are starting to lose touch with the top six and there are huge concerns over their attack which struggled without the injured Jaime Chapman.

Gold Coast managed just one try to Lauren Brown while they had a numerical advantage, with the visitors registering just two line-breaks.

They’ll also need to do some work under the high ball after two errors were punished by the Sharks.