Roosters shock with epic against the odds NSW Cup victory
NSW Cup
The Sydney Roosters NSW Cup team, missing no fewer than 14 players, have pulled off an amazing upset by defeating the third placed Parramatta Eels 38-18 in their Round 18 clash at Wentworth Park, to keep their finals hope well and truly alive. The Roosters fielded a particularly young and inexperienced team with 4 of the 17 representing the Roosters at Under 19s level this season and another 4 having represented at that level last season. Debuts were handed out to 19 year old centre Lachlan Dooner, 19 year old prop Kanaan Magele and new recruit from the Dolphins, Junior Tupou, who played on the left wing.
The Roosters scored an incredible six first half tries to lead the Eels 28-6 at the break. Right winger Try Peni scored four of the six tries, with NRL squad members Tupou and left edge Ethan Roberts scoring the others. The Eels matched it with the Roosters in the second stanza with both teams crossing for two second half tries; the Roosters tries to forwards Aston Warwick and local junior Hayden Barton.
Veteran halfback Chad Townsend, who captaining the side today in the absence of both Max McCathie and Jake Elliott, suffered a head knock in the 55th minute of the match and failed his HIA.
The Roosters now sit just two wins outside the Top 5 in 6th spot and next play 2nd placed St George Illawarra at Wentworth Park on Sunday.
Jersey Flegg Cup (Men’s Under 21s)
A weakened Sydney Roosters Jersey Flegg Cup team have gone down 40-14 to the Parramatta Eels in their Round 18 clash at Wentworth Park after leading 10-0 after 15 minutes. With Josh Durkin suspended, 4 Flegg aged players used in the NRL and 10 in the NSW Cup this week, the Roosters certainly weren’t able to field their strongest side and despite a strong start the Eels were too good for the youthful Roosters.
One bright spot was the return of prop Fanafou Seve, who had been absent for five weeks. He started in the front row with his younger brother, Itula and scored the Roosters first try in the 6th minute of the game, his 5th from 10 games this year. Left winger Kade Maguire continues to lead the competition for tries scored, crossing for his 18th try in 17 games this season. The Roosters other try went to left centre Baxter Warner.
The Roosters are at home next Sunday when they play 9th placed St George Illawarra. The Roosters are expected to boosted with the return of a number of players.
NSW Women’s Premiership
The Central Coast Roosters NSW Women’s Premiership team have commenced their 2025 season with a disappointing 22-14 loss to newcomers the Penrith Panthers at Berkeley Vale. However, the Roosters fielded a very young side with 11 of the 17 from this season’s Sydney Roosters Under 19s squad and another from the Central Coast Roosters Under 17s squad.
NRLW squad members Tyra Ekepati (right wing), Eliza Lopamaua (prop), Imogen Hei (hooker) all played for the Central Coast, together with all four NRLW development players Talea Tonga (five eighth), Sienna Thomas (halfback), Ellie Brander (lock and captain) and Mahlie Cashin (interchange hooker).
The scores were tight at half time with the Panthers leading 6-4 but three second half Panthers tries was too much for the young Roosters outfit.
The Roosters get a chance to redeem themselves next week when they play St George at Kogarah, with both teams looking to post their first win of the season.
Ron Massey Cup
The Glebe Ron Massey Cup team have shared the competition points with 2nd placed Mounties in their Round 14 clash at Wentworth Park following a 26-26 draw.
Glebe, with Roosters NSW Cup squad members Emery Jolliffe (right wing) and Josh Finau (lock) and Jersey Flegg Cup squad member James Khoo (left centre) in their lineup, raced to a 26-10 lead after 23 minutes, before Mounties scored first half tries in the 26th, 27th and 35th minutes to lock the scores at 26-26 at half time.
Bizarrely, there was no scoring in the second half and at full time scores remained at 26-26.
Glebe has another bye next week.
Sydney Shield
After four successive wins, the Glebe Sydney Shield team have come back to earth, with a thud, going down 48-14 to sixth placed Mounties at Hinchinbrook in their Round 14 clash. Glebe had the services of three Roosters Jersey Flegg Cup players in winger Enzo Griffier, five eighth Jonti Morshead-Feildel and hooker Jacob Tinsley.
Griffier, the French international, scored two of the Dirty Reds’ three tries. Glebe was not helped by having two players in the sin bin during the second half but Mounties were much too good in running in nine tries, after leading 22-10 at half time.
Glebe has another bye next week.
See the latest results below for all the Senior Representative and Affiliate club sides.
| Competition | Home Team | Away Team | Match Info | Next Round | Ladder |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSW Cup | Sydney Roosters (38) | Parramatta Eels (18) | Match Stats | v Dragons | 6th |
| Jersey Flegg Cup | Sydney Roosters (14) | Parramatta Eels (40) | Match Stats | v Dragons | 10th |
| NSW Women's Premiership | Central Coast Roosters (14) | Penrith Panthers (22) | Match Stats | v Dragons | 10th |
| Ron Massey Cup | Glebe Dirty Reds (26) | Mounties (26) | Match Stats | Bye | 4th |
| Sydney Shield | Glebe Dirty Reds (14) | Mounties (48) | Match Stats | Bye | 5th |
