Second-Half Surge Not Enough for Cup Roosters

Jack Cogger got the Panthers on the board first, weaving through the scattered Roosters defensive line to crash over in the seventh minute. The halfback converted his own try to give the hosts a six-point lead.

Four minutes later, Penrith seemed to cross in the corner for more points through winger Tom Jenkins, but the referee ruled the pass that sent him over to be forward, giving the Roosters some breathing room.

Hooker Luke Sommerton helped double the Panthers lead in the 29th minute, charging straight up the middle of the field before wrestling his way to the try line. Cogger converted the try to make it 12-0.

Four minutes later an error in-goal from the Tricolours afforded Penrith an opportunity to claim more points with Samuel Lane grounding the loose ball to extend the home side’s lead to 16, with Cogger unable to kick the conversion from touch.

The Roosters struggled to find the stripe off the back of two penalties late in the first half that carried them into dominant field position.

Late inclusion Drew Hutchison got the Red, White and Blue on the board seven minutes after the break with a crafty dummy half play that saw the utility battle a number of Panthers to get the ball down.

Skipper Sandon Smith’s conversion collided with the upright before bouncing off the crossbar and falling behind the posts, reducing the deficit to 10 points.

Strong defence from Roosters centre Tyrell Neiufi forced an error for the Panthers as they stormed towards the try-line in an effort to find more points minutes later.

Easts executed two left edge plays in the 59th and 71st minutes of play to send winger Jade Anderson over in the corner for a double, but Smith was unable to convert the tries, leaving the visitors trailing by two.

Sydney Roosters 14 (Drew Hutchison, Jade Anderson 2 tries, Sandon Smith 1 goal) def by Penrith Panthers 16  (Jack Cogger, Luke Sommerton, Samuel Lane tries, Jack Cogger 2 goals)