LeagueNews.co | Robbie Hamilton
The match report on the game between the New Zealand Warriors and the Sydney Roosters in the Jersey Flegg Cup highlighted a thrilling encounter that ultimately ended in a 34-22 victory for the Roosters.
The Warriors started off slowly, conceding two tries in the opening five minutes.
However, a rapid burst of four tries in just 13 minutes hinted at a potential comeback.
Halfback Jett Cleary and standoff Luke Hanson combined effectively, with Hanson providing a key assist for winger Raphael Sio to score the first of his two tries.
The Warriors showed impressive attacking prowess, with players like Jason Salalilio and Harry Durbin making strong runs to set up scoring opportunities.
Despite their strong performance in the first half, the Warriors were unable to maintain their lead as the Roosters fought back in the second half.
The Roosters managed to cut the margin to 20-22 early in the second half before both teams entered a period of intense competition.
In the 64th minute, the Roosters broke the Warriors' defense to take the lead at 26-22 before extending it further with a penalty to make it 28-22.
Ultimately, the Roosters proved to be too strong for the Warriors, securing a hard-fought victory in the end.
The match showcased the Warriors' ability to produce moments of brilliance but also highlighted their need for greater consistency throughout the game.
Despite their early burst of points, they were unable to maintain their momentum against a resilient Roosters side.
The defeat serves as a learning opportunity for the Warriors, who will look to improve in the upcoming matches.
Overall, the game was filled with excitement and impressive displays of skill from both teams, but it was the Roosters who emerged victorious in the end.
The Warriors will take away valuable lessons from this match as they continue to strive for success in the Jersey Flegg Cup.