The Sydney Roosters Junior Reps teams handled a tough road trip to Shark Park to perfection. Unbelievably both teams put in their best allround performance on Friday night and the timing couldn’t be better as they head into a tough fortnight against the Panthers and Bulldogs.
The Sharks Harold Matthews team started the competition as one of the favourites so they were going to be tough especially on their home track. The young Roosters skill level with the ball and their enthusiasm in defence was too strong for the young Sharks. A classic backline movement saw Alex Spooner cross in the corner in the 9th minute to put the Roosters in front 4-0. The young Sharks then hit back against the run of play to have the scores locked up at 4 all. Young half Stephan Blair had a sensational game and he was next to score after chasing through a bomb and outsmarting the Sharks fullback with a one-on-one strip put the boys up 8-4. Ten inutes later a great inside ball from Victor Radley had Lachlan Lam in the clear and in the following play Tom Fuller strolled over. A penalty on halftime had the Roosters in front 12-6 at the break. Three minutes into the second half the Rooster were in under the post with Giovanni Leota crashing over. The next set had the Roosters in again in the coner with a try to Jai MCGrath the Roosters had a comfortable 22-6 lead. The Sharks scored again in the last 5 minutes but all too late as the Rooster run out winners 22 points to 10. Giovanni Leota was heavily involved all game, Stephan Blair was in outstanding form and Caine Matthews-Wood is proving to be a real find back at fullback.
Sydney Roosters 22 (Alex Spooner, Stephan Blair, Tom Fuller, Giovanni Leota, Jai McGrath tries. Stephan Blair 1 goal) def Cronulla Sharks 10 (Blayke Bailey, Luke Chivers tries. Kyle Flanagan 1 goal)
In SG Ball it was the clash of 2 undefeated teams. The first 10 minutes were very scrappy, then some ball in good field position had Jack Murchie score in the corner for a 4-0 lead. As it was in the Harold Matthews game the Sharks scored after a mistake from the kick off for them to take the lead 6-4. From that moment on it was a football clinic by the young Roosters as they steamrolled their way with 4 tries to take a 24-6 lead into the break. If the Sharks planned a comeback the Roosters shut it down with 2 tries in the first 5 minutes after the break to break the hearts of the young Sharks. It was great to sit back and watch as the Roosters scored some of the best tries you could ever see as they really went on with the job to run out winners 60-6. Latrell Mitchell at fullback is in great form with another hat-trick, Paul Momirovski was dangerous all night and Travis Edwards directed the team around the paddock. Joseph Ratuvakacereivalu, Samet Erten and Darren Schonig were all awesome up front and laid the platform for the big win.
Sydney Roosters 60 (Latrell Mitchell 3, Paul Momirovski 2, Connor Watson 2, Samet Erten, Grant Garvey, Travis Lowe, Jack Murchie, Reuben Porter tries; Travis Lowe 3, Paul Momirovski 3 goals) def Cronulla 6 (Tyler McIlroy try; Jamayne Stowers goal)
Round 5 the boys are taking on the always strong Penrith Panthers this Saturday, 15 March at Windsor Sporting Complex.
Round 5: Sydney Roosters vs Penrith Panthers
Venue: Windsor Sporting Complex, Windsor
