Roosters score late to down Knights and remain unbeaten
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A late 80-metre runaway try from Isabelle Kelly denied Newcastle a famous come-from-behind victory on Sunday afternoon, securing a 18-16 win for the Roosters which keeps their unbeaten record intact and all but assures them of winning the 2022 minor premiership.
The long-range effort from the Roosters' skipper tied scores at 16-all, before Zahara Temara converted from in front of the posts to confirm the victory with three minutes to spare.
Class from Clydsdale
Earlier the Knights had scored three unanswered second-half tries to lead 16-12, having trailed 12-0 at the end of a first half which was dominated by the Tricolours.
While entertaining, it was a game with it's fair share of errors, with both coaches likely to be concerned after neither team managed to complete more than 65 per cent of their sets.
In the genes
The Roosters are still not guaranteed to finish the regular season in top spot, but sit two competition points, and 48 differential points, ahead of Newcastle with a round to play in the regular season.
Match: Roosters v Knights
Round 4 -
home Team
Roosters
1st Position
away Team
Knights
2nd Position
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Match Snapshot
- With the first touch of her NRLW career, Jasmin Strange scored the game's opening try after just two minutes, and had a potential second one ruled out minutes later for a forward pass.
- Raecene McGregor put Tongan international Kalosipani Hopoate through for the Roosters' second.
- The NRLW's top point scorer, Zahara Temara, kicked a penalty two minutes from the break to give the Roosters a 12-0 half-time lead.
- Newcastle's Romy Teitzel hit back for her side almost immediately in the second half, followed by another four-pointer to Yasmin Clydsdale which Jesse Southwell converted to reduce the deficit to two points.
- Caitlin Johnston appeared to have sealed a famous victory when she scored and Southwell converted one minute from time, only for Kelly's try and Temara's conversion to save the Roosters.
- Knights prop Millie Boyle had to leave the game for a HIA in the first half which she passed.
Play of the Game
A try for winger Jasmin Strange on her very first touch at NRLW level, which no doubt was also a special moment for her coach, and father, John watching on at Allianz Stadium.
Strange scores in first start
What they Said
"It was pretty average to be honest, it feels like a loss... it's more about how we play than the result and we didn't play our best footy. I just didn't feel as though we deserved to win, I felt as though we handed so much to the Knights and they, to their credit, they kept fighting." - Roosters NRLW coach John Strange.
NRLW Roosters: Round 4
"I think what was extremely important was our resolve towards the back end of the first half and then the front of the second half, there was some really good stuff. I thought to [the Roosters'] credit they took advantage of the opportunities they created and we presented." - Knights NRLW coach Ronald Griffiths.
NRLW Knights: Round 4
What's Next
The Roosters take on the last-placed Titans in the middle game of Sunday's triple-header at Central Coast Stadium, while the Knights finish off their regular season against the Dragons.
