Gritty Roosters Victorious in Low-Scoring Contest

Easts started the match in promising fashion, finding strong metres in their early sets as lock Caleb Tohi made a powerful bust towards the line that nearly resulted in the opening points.

An error from the Sea Eagles coming out of their own half proved costly when a deft short ball close to the line from five-eighth Braith Alexander found a rampaging Corey Ross, who barged over to open the scoring 15 minutes into the match, giving the hosts an early four-point advantage.

Easts were rewarded for some impressive defensive efforts when another penalty allowed them to access valuable field position, inviting the mercurial Alexander to expertly find the line with some quick footwork and a sharp dummy 23 minutes in. Tamati converted to make the score 10-0.

The visitors hit back seven minutes before the interval through winger Viliami Kuli when he managed to burrow over the line past four Roosters defenders in the corner, cutting the deficit to six.

The Red, White, and Blue showed some grit in defence to force an error from Manly on the cusp of half time as they searched for another try, ensuring they would head into the sheds as six-point leaders.

The visitors shot out of the blocks to begin the second half after a pinpoint looping pass from halfback Tylor Bunting sent his winger Tom Jarrett over in the corner, cutting the Roosters lead to just two five minutes into the second half.

After relentless pressure from the Sea Eagles, Roosters back-rower Angus Fahey produced a brilliant piece of play to shift the momentum back towards the hosts when he was first to a loose ball, kicking it ahead and scooping it up well inside the Manly half and away from danger.

As the match entered the final ten minutes with both sides having struggled to find points in a gritty half, Roosters winger Jordan Swann produced a sensational diving tackle to put his opposing winger Jarrett into touch, saving a try at a crucial stage of the contest and preserving his side’s lead.

Swann’s try saver proved to be extremely useful for the Roosters moments later, when prop Tayson Fakaosi steamrolled his way over the line in a Herculean effort that started 30 metres out from the try-line and left six defenders in his wake. The try was converted by Tamati to make the score 16-8 with six minutes remaining.

The Red, White, and Blue held on to notch their 16th victory of the season, a well deserved victory that sees them firmly on top of the competition ladder as they prepare for their next match in a fortnight’s time against the Parramatta Eels on Saturday August 19 at Ringrose Park.

Sydney Roosters 18 (Corey Ross, Braith Alexander, Tayson Fakaosi tries, Vaiala Tamati 2 goals) def Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 8.