StephenP
ArnoldCocky Roosters pluck courageous Panthers
June 13th 2008 11:44
The Sydney Roosters have cemented their spot at the top of the Telstra premiership thanks to a comprehensive 32-12 shut-out of an injury riddled Penrith Panthers at the Sydney Football Stadium tonight.
It was a horror night for the Panther’s, the visitor’s finishing the match with an empty bench due to serious injuries to Luke Priddis (knee), Michael Jennings (ankle), Tony Puletua (ribs) and Josh Bateman (pectoral), cruelling their semi-final chances.
The Roosters never really broke stride in their six tries to two victory, with the communication between halves Braith Anasta and Mitchell Pearce causing constant headaches for the tired Panthers defence.
Penrith burst out of the blocks, opening the scoring in just the third minute through a simple barge over try to centre Brad Tighe, the zippy three-quarter showing tremendous strength to burrow his way through four startled Roosters defenders.
The home side were quick to respond, hooker James Aubusson ducking between Panthers Petero Civoniceva and Tony Puletua to dive over, with Craig Fitzgibbon’s conversion making it 6-4 after 11 minutes.
The Panthers drew level in the 27th minute thanks to a penalty goal to Shane Rodney, the utility forward taking over the goal-kicking due to an ankle injury to Michael Jennings.
Penrith’s injury woes became even deeper in just the next set, with interchange forward Josh Bateman becoming the third Panther in the dressing room after suffering a shoulder injury attempting a tackle on Mark O’Meley.
O’Meley rubbed the salt even further into the visitor’s wound when he barged over for a rare four-pointer with, the Roosters moving out to a 16-6 lead when fullback Anthony Minichiello finishing off a sublime backline movement just moments before the half-time break.
Staring down the barrel of a 6-16 half-time deficit, it took a brilliant cross-field kick from Luke Lewis for Luke Rooney to dot down wide out, with Rodney’s sideline conversion making it 16-12 to the home side at the break.
After being denied a try by video referee Bill Harrigan straight after the resumption, the Roosters made sure of it only moments later when Braith Anasta plucked a Mitchell Pearce bomb out of Rhys Wesser’s hands to dot down for a spectacular try.
And given the Panther’s injury crisis, the game was as good as over when Willie Mason sprinted forty metres downfield after charging down a Lewis clearing kick, before unloading to Brent Grose for a 26-12 lead.
A late try to winger Shaun Kenny-Dowall completed the twenty point victory.
Sydney Roosters 32
Tries: James Aubusson, Mark O’Meley, Anthony Minichiello, Braith Anasta, Brent Grose, Shaun Kenny-Dowall
Goals: Craig Fitzgibbon 4
defeated
Penrith Panthers 12
Tries: Brad Tighe, Luke Rooney
Goals: Shane Rodney 2
At Sydney Football Stadium
Referee – Seam Hampstead
It was a horror night for the Panther’s, the visitor’s finishing the match with an empty bench due to serious injuries to Luke Priddis (knee), Michael Jennings (ankle), Tony Puletua (ribs) and Josh Bateman (pectoral), cruelling their semi-final chances.
The Roosters never really broke stride in their six tries to two victory, with the communication between halves Braith Anasta and Mitchell Pearce causing constant headaches for the tired Panthers defence.
Penrith burst out of the blocks, opening the scoring in just the third minute through a simple barge over try to centre Brad Tighe, the zippy three-quarter showing tremendous strength to burrow his way through four startled Roosters defenders.
The home side were quick to respond, hooker James Aubusson ducking between Panthers Petero Civoniceva and Tony Puletua to dive over, with Craig Fitzgibbon’s conversion making it 6-4 after 11 minutes.
The Panthers drew level in the 27th minute thanks to a penalty goal to Shane Rodney, the utility forward taking over the goal-kicking due to an ankle injury to Michael Jennings.
Penrith’s injury woes became even deeper in just the next set, with interchange forward Josh Bateman becoming the third Panther in the dressing room after suffering a shoulder injury attempting a tackle on Mark O’Meley.
O’Meley rubbed the salt even further into the visitor’s wound when he barged over for a rare four-pointer with, the Roosters moving out to a 16-6 lead when fullback Anthony Minichiello finishing off a sublime backline movement just moments before the half-time break.
Staring down the barrel of a 6-16 half-time deficit, it took a brilliant cross-field kick from Luke Lewis for Luke Rooney to dot down wide out, with Rodney’s sideline conversion making it 16-12 to the home side at the break.
After being denied a try by video referee Bill Harrigan straight after the resumption, the Roosters made sure of it only moments later when Braith Anasta plucked a Mitchell Pearce bomb out of Rhys Wesser’s hands to dot down for a spectacular try.
And given the Panther’s injury crisis, the game was as good as over when Willie Mason sprinted forty metres downfield after charging down a Lewis clearing kick, before unloading to Brent Grose for a 26-12 lead.
A late try to winger Shaun Kenny-Dowall completed the twenty point victory.
Sydney Roosters 32
Tries: James Aubusson, Mark O’Meley, Anthony Minichiello, Braith Anasta, Brent Grose, Shaun Kenny-Dowall
Goals: Craig Fitzgibbon 4
defeated
Penrith Panthers 12
Tries: Brad Tighe, Luke Rooney
Goals: Shane Rodney 2
At Sydney Football Stadium
Referee – Seam Hampstead
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