Round 14
Sydney Roosters 32 d. Penrith Panthers 12

2008 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: Aus_NZ > National > First Grade Competition: NRL Telstra Premiership

Roosters power past Panthers
Sun June 15, 2008
The Sydney Roosters premiership aspirations took another rise on Friday night as their forward pack and kicking game proved too much for Penrith winning 32-12.

Forwards win matches and the Roosters once again showed that they have the best pack in the business as they pounded the Panthers into submission.

Penrith opened the scoring with Brad Tighe crossing over in the 3rd minute, which he was unable to convert.

The Roosters fowards asserted their dominance on the match and poor defence around the ruck area allowed James Aubusson to slip through to score. Craig Fitzgibbon added the extras for the Roostes to lead 6-4.

Penrith leveled up the scores with a penalty goal to Shane Rodney in the 28th minute.

Mark O'Meley crashed his way through some feeble Penrith defence to put the Roosters back into the lead. Replays showed that O'Meley could have dropped the ball and it was very similar to the no try against Luke Rooney moments before. Fitzgibbon again converted for the Roosters to lead 12-6.

Anthony Minichiello crossed for an excellent Roosters try when he received a superb inside ball from Anthony Tupou to hit the line superbly. Fitzgibbon's kick was wide as the Roosters led 16-6.

Rooney wasn't to be denied on the stroke of half-time when he scored from a well-timed cross-field kick and Rodney's sideline conversion brought the Panthers back within 12 points.

The second half was all the Roosters as the NRL's glamour club rammed home their advantage laid in the first half by their forwards and Panthers players dropping like flies.

Without doubt the Roosters have the best kicking game in the competition and they scored again from the kick in the 50th minute when a well-timed bomb from Mitchell Pearce was plucked out of the air by Braith Anasta to score. Fitzgibbon converted for the Roosters to lead by 22-12.

The Roosters were in again seven minutes later when Willie Mason charged down a Luke Lewis kick and after running 30m he sent Brent Grose away for the try. Fitzgibbon was unable to convert, but the Roosters by that stage held a safe 16-point lead.

Shaun Kenny-Dowall scored the Roosters last try when a kick ahead by Anasta was swooped upon by Minichello who passed it out to his winger for the final try. Fitzgibbon was spot on with the conversion as the Roosters ran out 32-12 victors.

Unfortunately for Penrith it was a game where they'll hit by a relentless surge of injuries including losing hooker Luke Priddis to a knee injury.

The Roosters showed their forward power and precise kicking game, which other teams in the competition simply can't match.

Meanwhile, better news for Penrith in the Toyota Cup with the young Panthers running out 40-20 victors with halfback Joel Romelo scoring an impressive four tries.

NRL: Roosters 32 v Panthers 12 Statistics

NYC: Roosters 20 v Panthers 40 Statistics


Panthers NRL and NYC sides for Roosters clash
Tue June 10, 2008
Penrith's NRL and NYC sides for Friday's clash against the Roosters at the Sydney Football Stadium.

NRL vs Roosters at Sydney Football Stadium, Friday June 13 - 7.45pm Kick off
1. Rhys Wesser 2. Luke Rooney 3. Michael Jennings 4. Brad Tighe 5. Jarrod Sammut 6. Maurice Blair 7. Luke Lewis 8. Petero Civoniceva 9. Luke Priddis 10. Tony Puletua 11. Frank Pritchard 12. Trent Waterhouse 13. Nathan Smith. Interchange: 14. Matthew Bell 15. Paul Aiton 16. Shane Rodney 17. Josh Bateman 18. Tim Grant 19. Masada Iosefa Coach: Matthew Elliott.

NYC vs Roosters at Sydney Football Stadium, Friday June 13 - 5.30pm Kick off
1. Lachlan Coote 2. Junior Tia-Kilifi 3. William Isa 4. Chris Ward 5. Zoram Watene 6. Wade Graham 7. Joel Romelo 8. Sam McKendry 9. Luke Clydesdale 10. Joel Orton 11. Daniel Penese 12. Michael Leeds 13. Jamie Theoharous (C) Interchange: 14. Tim Glasby 15. Shane Blackett 16. Tinirau Arona 17. Jimmy Brown 18. Sonny Tuigamala 19. Guy Hodgins Coach: Steve Georgallis.

Tue June 10, 2008
• Myles and Tupou named on Roosters bench
  

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