The Sydney Roosters have gone down to the North Queensland Cowboys away from home in round one of the NYC Under 20s competition, going down 53-14 at 1300Smiles Stadium in Townsville on Saturday night.
The Cowboys scored ten tries to three, with lapses in discipline proving costly for the Roosters.
The Cowboys opened the scoring through prop Viliame Kikau who crossed the line untouched. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful and the Cowboys had a 4-0 lead 13 minutes into the game.
A one-on-one tackle by Latrell Mitchell on his opposing fullback saved a certain try before Cowboys hooker Brandon Smith was able to beat a couple of Roosters defenders to crash over the line, scoring the home side’s second try in the 18th minute. The conversion was successful and the Cowboys led 10-0.
The Roosters scored their first points in the 21st minute with some handy passing down the right side and Joseph Manu showing some fancy footwork to score in the corner. Jackson Hastings added the extras via a successful conversion and the Roosters were back within four points with the Cowboys leading 10-6.
Cowboys fullback Yamba Bowie scored his side’s third try of the night in the 33rd minute and with the conversion unsuccessful, the Roosters went into the sheds at half time trailing 14-10.
The second half started promisingly, with the Roosters the first side to score via second rower Isaac Crichton who scored a try in the 43rd minute, bringing scores to a level at 14-14, with the kick at goal waved away.
From there, it was one-way traffic for the Cowboys who scored a further seven tries on what was a disappointing night for the Roosters Under 20s.
Leading into the final quarter, the Cowboys crossed for three tries, with Kikau proving too strong for the Roosters defensive line with the prop bagging his second try of the night, between the posts. The conversion was successful and scores opened up to 30-14.
In a strong performance for the night, Kikau crossed for his third try in the 70th minute and with a successful conversion, the margin expanded to 40-14.
The onslaught continued in the 75th minute with a try to Brandon Smith who scored under the posts. A successful goal attempt took scores to 46-14.
Former Roosters Braden Uele bagged a double, scoring his second and the Cowboys 10th of the night in the 77thminute. A successful conversion extended the Cowboys lead to 52-14.
Rubbing salt into the wounds, a Cowboys field goal in the 80th minute took the Cowboys lead out to 53-14 at full time.
