Juniors Report Round 4: Roosters Pounce Panthers

Harold Matthews Cup | Roosters Trounce Panthers

Sydney Roosters 40 def Penrith Panthers 16 

The Sydney Roosters Harold Matthews side trounced the Penrith Panthers by 24 points at Henson Park, piling on one of their biggest-ever wins over their opponents. 

After overcoming an early 10-nil deficit, the Roosters rallied to lead at the break by two points thanks to tries to Phillip Lavakeiaho and Lui Lee. 

Penrith returned serve right after half-time, but after Lee bagged his second, it was one-way traffic as the Red, White and Blue piled on a further four tries to come away with a dominant 40-16 victory. 

Central Coast Roosters 12 def by Newcastle Knights 16 

It was a close shave for the Central Coast Roosters in their Harold Matthews Cup match, downed 16-12 by the Newcastle Knights at the Newcastle Centre of Excellence. 

Tries to Sangstar Figota and Tayte Bayley saw the Roosters take a handy 12-nil lead at the break, however, the home side struck back with three tries in the second half to come away with the two competition points. 

The Roosters will face the North Sydney Bears at Kenthurst this week in their Round 5 clash. 

Tarsha Gale Cup | Roosters Record Demolition Job 

Sydney Roosters Indigenous Academy 58 def Penrith Panthers 0

It was the case for another week and another demolition job for the Tarsha Gale Cup Indigenous Academy side, who recorded yet another cricket score in a 58-nil win over the Penrith Panthers. 

In their third consecutive week of keeping their opponents scoreless, the Roosters ran riot with five tries in the first half to take a more than handy 30-nil lead at the break, courtesy of tries to Elizabeth MacGregor, Imogen Hei, Aliyah Nasio, Katelyn Whitehead and a double to Mele Ketuu. 

The wave of points continued in the second stanza, with Ketuu completing her hat-trick and Nasio bagging a double as the Tricolours ran in a further six four-pointers. 

SG Ball Cup | Resilient Roosters Hold Off Panthers

Sydney Roosters 22 def Penrith Panthers 16 

Jake Friend's SG Ball Cup side have held off a late raid from the Penrith Panthers to come away with a thrilling 22-16 victory and remain as one of two undefeated teams in the competition.

Despite their opponents crossing just two minutes in, the Roosters replied in kind through Baxter Warner, with the winger bagging a first-half double as the sides headed into the break even at 10 points apiece. 

Both sides were desperate to trouble the scoreboard in the second stanza to regain ascendency, and it was the Tricolours with quickfire tries to Tyreece Tait and Peter Benjamin Uini for a handy twelve-point lead.

Penrith looked to mount a late comeback with a try of their own in the 66th minute, but the Red, White and Blue held on for a well-deserved victory to remain undefeated.  

Andrew Johns Cup | Roosters Thump Dogs 

Central Coast Roosters 30 def North Coast Bulldogs 10

The Central Coast Roosters Andrew Johns Cup side prevailed over the North Coast Bulldogs in convincing fashion with a 30-10 victory at Morry Breen Oval. 

It was a close first half with the Roosters holding a slender 10-6 advantage, and while their opponents hit back soon after to level, the Red, White and Blue clicked into gear. 

Three tries in the final ten minutes, which saw winger Semi Leweniqila finish the match with a double, solidified the victory, with the Roosters remaining undefeated heading into the final round of the competition. 

Laurie Daley Cup | Close Shave for Central Coast 

Central Coast Roosters 10 def North Coast Bulldogs 8 

There were only two points between the Central Coast Roosters and the North Coast Bulldogs in Round 4 of the Laurie Daley Cup, with the hosts prevailing 10-8 at Morry Breen Oval.

All four tries of the match came in the first half, with both sides making their intentions known by striking within the opening six minutes. 

The Bulldogs crossed soon after for an 8-6 lead, but a late four-pointer to centre Sam Gillespie saw the scores at 10-8. 

Neither side was able to trouble the scoreboard in the final half, with the Roosters holding on for a close victory.