CLUB WEEKEND RESULTS – Sunday, 9th March

The season commenced on Sunday for the Roosters NSW Cup and Jersey Flegg Cup sides with the Roosters posting one win and one loss in Round One matches at Wentworth Park.

NSW Cup

The Sydney Roosters have opened their 2025 NSW Cup campaign with a courageous 12-10 win over 2024 grand finalists, the North Sydney Bears at Wentworth Park. With eleven NRL squad members unavailable to play for either the NRL or NSW Cup sides in the opening round, the Roosters fielded a weakened Cup lineup against the Bears but the players didn’t worry about who wasn’t there; their only concern was beating the Bears and playing for each other.

Both sides lost their starting hookers in the opening ten minutes of the game (Michael Coleman for the Roosters, with what appeared to be a left leg injury) and there was just one score from either side in the first half (a 20th minute North Sydney try). The Roosters ran in two second half tries, with left wing Newtown recruit Tom Rodwell involved in both, with a try assist for half Hugo Savala to score in the 55th minute of the game and a try of his own four minutes later. Savala’s sideline conversion of the Rodwell try and his 70th minute penalty goal gave the Roosters a 12-4 lead with less than ten minutes remaining. However, North Sydney regathered the ball from the kick off and scored a converted try in that set of six to set up a grandstand finish.

Fortunately, the Roosters, in front of many of the NRL squad members, held on to win, and increase their successive winning sequence in this competition to six.

It wasn’t a pretty win, but one based on a lot of hard work. Captain Max McCathie was one of the Roosters hardest workers whilst halfback Hugo Savala continued on from his good trial form.

The Roosters travel next weekend to take on the Penrith Panthers in Penrith, who lost their opening match of the season 26-12 to the Newtown Jets at the same venue.

Jersey Flegg Cup (Men’s Under 21s)

The Sydney Roosters have gone down narrowly 28-20 in their opening round fixture against the Melbourne Storm at Wentworth Park.

The Roosters began well and after three tries in the opening 51 minutes to winger Benjamin Taylor, second rower Jackson Pennell and French international centre Enzo Griffier, the Roosters led the Storm 20-12. However, soon after that third try the Roosters increased their error rate and defensive lapses, allowing the Storm back into the game, and they then ran in three quick tries of their own in 14 minutes too wrap up the game. The 71st minute dismissal of Roosters interchange forward Jacob Tinsley, on debut for the Club, snuffed out any possibility of a Roosters late revival.

Prop Zach Visconti and five eighth Josh Durkin were amongst the Roosters best on the day.

The Roosters also travel to Penrith next Saturday to take on the Panthers, who commenced their season with a thumping 30-0 victory over Crnulla-Sutherland.

NSW Women’s Premiership

Competition commences on Sunday, 6th July

Ron Massey Cup

Competition commences on Sunday, 15th March

Sydney Shield

Competition commences on Sunday, 15th March

See the latest results below for all the Senior Representative and Affiliate club sides.