The nib Newcastle Knights were downed 28-4 by the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium on Friday evening for the Women in League Round.
Just one late change for the Knights, as they kept the home side scrambling in defence early to force a number of repeated sets.
Sydney’s Blake Ferguson who took a leaping grab to extend his arm and ground the ball over the line in the 10th minute. Latrell Mitchell converted for the home side to lead 6-0.
Following a break by the Roosters down the left side, the Knights failed to recover quickly as Luke Keary made a dash for the line to roll over 25 minutes in. The Roosters make it 12-0.
In the 30th minute, a grubber off the foot of Dane Gagai reaches Shaun Kenny-Dowall on the right side to score his first try on debut for the Knights. Newcastle trailled 12-4.
Just before the half time siren, the Knights save a try as the Roosters’ Connor Watson was stopped just short of the line. Sydney led 12-4 into the break.
In the second half, a hard knock takes Chanel Mata’utia out of the game before Daniel Tupou grounds a grubber in the 60th minute and it’s deemed a try by the bunker. The home side take their lead to 16-4.
Minutes later, Pete Mata’utia made a break in open field and dished to Luke Yates, but he’s unable to finish and loses the ball just metres from the line.
In the 67th minute, a pin-point pass 10 metres out to Isaac Lui saw him cross over for the Roosters fourth before a one-handed pass from Ferguson was on the money to fullback Connor Watson who dived over. Sydney extend their lead 28-4.
Luck not on the Knights side as Yates again fell short of the line with the Roosters to grind out the remaining minutes to take the win, 28-4
Summary
Newcastle Knights 4 (T: Kenny-Dowall, G: Hodkinson 0/1)
Sydney Roosters 28 (T: Ferguson, Keary, Tupou, Lui, Watson, G: Mitchell 2/3, Taukeiaho 2/2)
