A hat-trick of tries from winger Matt Utai gave the Canterbury Bulldogs a 28-18 win over the South Sydney Rabbitohs on Sunday that kept them at the head of the Australian National Rugby league table.

The victory was a club record ninth in a row for the Bulldogs, who are now level on 21 points with the Brisbane Broncos, who fielded a second-string team but still beat the Wests Tigers 28-14 on Friday night.

However, the Bulldogs they had to come from behind for their win after the Rabbitohs raced into an early 12-0 lead. But Utai's treble followed by a late Willie Talau try ensured the Bulldogs' triumph.

Warriors win

The New Zealand Warriors are a point behind the top two after running in seven tries to beat the lowly Cronulla Sharks 42-20 in Auckland in Sunday's other game.

Full-back Ivan Cleary landed seven kicks out of seven to pass 500 career points, as the Warriors made it six straight wins.

In Saturday's matches, the Penrith Panthers overcame the Sydney Roosters 26-16, whilst the bottom-placed North Queensland Cowboys gained a valuable 40-32 victory over the St George Illawarra Dragons 40-32.

The Canberra Raiders ensured they did not take over at the foot of the table with a 28-16 win at home to the the Northern Eagles.

NRL Results:

Warriors 42-20 Sharks
Bulldogs 28-18 Rabbitohs
Panthers 26-16 Roosters
Cowboys 40-32 Dragons
Raiders 28-16 Eagles
Tigers 14-28 Broncos