NRL round-22: Roosters vs. Dragons
In what was billed as the ‘game of the week’ the Roosters welcomed the first place St. George Dragons to Sydney Cricket Ground for the final Sunday match-up.
The Roosters aimed to take over top spot with a victory, while the Dragons tried to get their game back on track against a Sydney side tied in second place.
Recap
The game was tight the whole way, with both sides having trouble scoring. The first half ended with the Roosters holding a narrow two-point lead. The Dragons were able to put together a productive second half and stole the win away from the home team, finishing the match with a 19-12 win.
The Roosters were able to strike first, with an Anthony Minichiello try in the eighth minute, which was quickly followed by a Todd Carney conversion in the ninth.
It was clear after the first score that the game was going to be incredibly defensive, as both teams settled into very structured game plans, which limited the chances at either end.
After over 20 minutes the Dragons finally added some points to the board, as Jason Nightingale crossed the line in the 31st minute. Jamie Soward missed the conversion, and the Roosters were allowed to take a 6-4 lead into the half.
After the break the game still remained close, and bogged down at the offensive end. Jamie Soward seemed to spark some offence in the 55th minute with a penalty to tie the game at 6-6.
Only four minutes later Ben Creagh crossed the whitewash for the visitors and Soward banged through a conversion to give the Dragons their first lead of the day at 12-6.
Soward added a clever field goal in the 68th minute, just before the Rooster got back on the board with a Carney try and conversion. The quick scoring gave the Dragons a narrow 13-12 lead in the 72nd minute.
The Dragons were able to do just enough in a Dean Young 76th minute try, followed up by another Soward conversion to make the game 19-12 in the 78th minute.
The Roosters were unable to get anything done in the final portion of the game, and were forced to watch the clock wind down on a 19-12 Dragons win.
Although he missed a conversion the hero of the match-up for the Dragons was Soward, who scored two conversions, a penalty and a field goal, to end the match with 8 points. Creagh also had a strong game in what was an incredible defensive match-up, scoring a try and managing 174 all-run-metres.
Analysis
The Dragons needed to get back on track after several weeks of subpar performances. The victory over the Roosters allowed the St. George side to maintain their spot at the top of table, opening up their lead on second place to four points. Next round the Dragons will be challenged once again, as they take on the surging sixth place Sea Eagles, in the Monday night affair.
The Roosters meanwhile will be disappointed they let first spot slip away. Nevertheless, they will have the opportunity to redeem themselves in what should be an easy match-up next Friday against the Sharks.
Tags: