The North Sydney Bears' NSW Cup campaign has come to an end, while the Sydney Roosters Jersey Flegg side will have a second bite of the cherry after their comeback fell short.
Bears' Courageous Campaign Comes to a Close
The North Sydney Bears have been knocked out of the 2022 NSW Cup finals following a 22-10 defeat to the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in their Qualifying Final.
Jacob Preston opened the scoring after soaring to collect a kick from Sandon Smith to take an early lead after just seven minutes, but their opponents struck back to close the gap.
Match: Bears v Bulldogs
Finals Week 2 -
home Team
Bears
3rd Position
away Team
Bulldogs
4th Position
Venue: Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Sydney
Norths continued to put pressure on their opponents and came away with the lead at halftime thanks to a Tom Carr try in the corner, giving his side a handy 10-6 advantage.
Following a tense opening to the second stanza, Canterbury-Bankstown struck back to level the scores, with ill-discipline handing their opponents a chance to take an eight-point lead with ten minutes remaining.
The Bulldogs took a further two penalties in the shadows of fulltime, with the Bears unable to get back on the board, with the final scores at 10-22.
The Sydney Roosters would like to congratulate the North Sydney Bears on their season.
North Sydney Bears 10 (Jacob Preston, Tom Carr tries; Kieran Hayman goal) def by Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 22
Jersey Flegg Comeback Falls Short
It was an almighty comeback but the Sydney Roosters Jersey Flegg side fell short to the Newcastle Knights in their Grand Final Qualifier, 22-24.
The Roosters struck first through Luke Knight in a full-field effort followed by a penalty goal before their opponents hit back to level with three further tries, facing a 24-6 deficit at the break.
Match: Roosters v Knights
Finals Week 2 -
home Team
Roosters
away Team
Knights
Venue: Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Sydney
Not deterred by their task, the Tricolours rallied just two minutes in with a powerhouse effort from Vaiala Tamati before Vuate Karawalevu dotted down for their second try in as many minutes.
With Tuku Hau Tapuha ramming hist way to the line, the gap closed to just two points - but after a 46-metre penalty attempt missed saw the final scores at 24-22 in favour of Newcastle.
The Sydney Roosters will play the Penrith Panthers next week for a spot in the 2022 Jersey Flegg Cup Grand Final against the Newcastle Knights.
Sydney Roosters 22 (Luke Knight, Vaiala Tamati, Vuate Karawalevu, Tuku Hau Tapuha tries; Jack Mossman 2 goals; Jack Mossman penalty goal) def by Newcastle Knights 24
