Roosters too strong for NRLW Sharks
Roosters too strong for NRLW Sharks
by Jack Rothfield
The Sydney Roosters have proved too strong for the Sharks in winning 36-12 in a high-quality encounter at PointsBet Stadium on Sunday Afternoon.
Despite a fast start from the Sydney Roosters, the Sharks were able to turn the ball over down the other end of the field before winger Kiani Takairangi scored in the corner after some slick ball movement. Halfback Tayla Preston slotted the sideline conversion, putting the Sharks 6-0 up after five minutes.
Following some end to end footy, front rower Holli Wheeler barged over the try line next to the posts, before a simple conversion made the score 12-0 to the Sharks in the 16th minute.
The Sydney Roosters hit back, winger Jayme Fressard pouncing on a Sharks dropped ball before running 50 metres to score, halfback Jocelyn Kelleher then turning four points into six, the sideline conversion narrowing the margin with the home team ahead 12-6.
With Roosters now in control of the momentum, Fressard soon had a double, centre Jess Sergis slippng a clever pass to put her over in the corner and with half time approaching the Sharks led 12-10 after Kelleher failed to level the scores with the difficult kick at goal.
The Sharks launched into the second half, receiving a penalty in their first set before Talei Holmes hit a hole, only to be pulled down metres short, pinning the Sharks on their opponents try line. The Roosters managed to withstand the pressure, forcing an error with their line speed.
The Roosters marched up the field before some brilliance from Tarryn Aiken and Isabelle Kelly was enough to put their fullback Corban Baxter over the line, giving them their first lead of the afternoon.
With the Roosters control, Fressard was the recipient of a long ball in recording a hat trick of tries and despite failing to convert the Roosters led the Sharks 20-12 with just over 20 minutes to play.
The Sharks would give away a costly penalty, which lead to another Roosters attacking raid and it was second rower Olivia Kernick who was next to score and when Kelleher added the extras her team was well in control at 26-12.
With the game slipping away from the Sharks, Sergis scored after catching a pinpoint kick from Kelleher, who was unable to add to her great day with the boot, leaving the score 30 points to 12 to the Roosters.
In a second half to forget for the Sharks girls, Aiken then sliced through to put Kelly over in the dying minutes to secure an impressive 36-12 Roosters victory.
The Sharks now look to Round 5 of the competition where they will travel up to Townsville to take on the Cowboys next Saturday.
