Club Weekend Results | Sunday, 4th May, 2025

Roosters defeat the Bulldogs in the NSW Cup with five tries in the last 22 minutes.

NSW Cup

The Sydney Roosters have pulled off a remarkable comeback to notch up their fourth win of the season in their Round 9 NSW Cup clash, defeating the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 38-31 at Wentworth Park.

Featuring NRL squad members Ethan King, Dominic Young, Jake Elliott, Chad Townsend, Taylor Losalu, Beniah Ioelu and Reece Foley, the Roosters raced to a 12-0 lead after just eight minutes, with converted tries to left winger Tom Rodwell and halfback Chad Townsend.

The momentum shifted soon after with the Bulldogs racing in the next five tries to lead 31-12 through 54 minutes and seemingly headed for a comfortable victory. However, in the final 22 minutes of the game the possession and field position that had deserted the home team through much of the previous 40 minutes returned and the Roosters commenced their extraordinary comeback.

At the 58th minute left edge forward Aston Warwick strolled through the Bulldogs defence off a short Townsend pass and the Bulldogs lead was cut to 31-16. Three minutes later, halves Townsend and Elliott combined to send Elliott over and after the Townsend conversion the score was 31-22.

Trailing by eight with ten minutes remaining, the Roosters spread the ball to the right, utilising the blistering pace of Dominic Young, to put Young away on a long run down the touchline, and Young timed his inside ball to his centre Kyron Fekitoa beautifully, for Fekitoa to score. With the Townsend conversion the Roosters trailed by just 31-28. It was all the Roosters at this stage and the Bulldogs could do little to halt the momentum shift. Four minutes later some swift passing from the Roosters halves allowed fullback Ethan King to create an overlap on the right side to put Young over in the corner. The conversion was missed but the Roosters had regained the lead 32-31 with five minutes remaining.

A second try of the game four minutes later to Tom Rodwell, from a lovely Jake Elliott pass (Rodwell’s eighth try of the season from eight games) in the left corner sealed the victory for the Sydney Roosters after Chad Townsend nailed the sideline conversion. A 38-31 win, with the Roosters scoring 26 points in the last 22 minutes, against a quality team has lifter the Roosters to eighth on the competition table.

The Roosters got great value from their NRL players with Townsend, Elliott and Young, in particular, making major contributions toward the win.

The Roosters are off to Tamworth next Sunday to play 10th placed Manly-Warringah as part of the NSW Cup’s Magic Round.

Jersey Flegg Cup (Men’s Under 21s)

The Sydney Roosters have suffered their sixth loss of the season, going down 42-18 to the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at Wentworth Park.

The Roosters were the superior team in the first half, scoring three tries to lead 18-10 at the break. Roosters scored first through a right side spread to send winger Osca Catton over and posted further first half tries to prop Fanafou Seve, who beat five defenders to the line with a barnstorming run, and left winger Kade Maguire, who scored his ninth of the season (through nine games).

However, the Roosters were not the same side in the second half and conceded six second half tries to lose convincingly to an impressive Bulldogs outfit.

The Roosters will be hoping for a full 80 minute performance next Sunday when they face off against 10th placed Manly-Warringah at Wentworth Park.

NSW Women’s Premiership

Competition commences on Sunday, 6th July

Ron Massey Cup

Glebe’s Ron Massey Cup team had the bye this weekend. They will next play on Sunday, 11th May against Blacktown Workers.

Sydney Shield

Glebe’s Ron Massey Cup team had the bye this weekend. They will next play on Sunday, 11th May against Manly Leagues.

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