Easts Outgunned in High-Scoring Affair

A sloppy error from the Roosters from the kick-off allowed the Magpies to open the scoring through winger Sione Hopoate who strolled over in the corner off the back of a scrum-based move. Halfback Brandon Wakeham converted the try to make it 6-0.

It was the Magpies turn to make an error from the resulting kick-off, which forced them into a goal-line dropout. In the following set, the Roosters shifted the ball to their right edge where Noel Aukafolau buried his way over in the corner to make it 6-4, five minutes in.

Easts capitalised on the momentum from their opening try just six minutes later, a strong set through the middle of the field resulting in Naufahu Whyte reaching out to score next to the posts after breaking through two Magpies defenders. Five-eighth Jaxson Paulo converted the try to give the Roosters a four-point lead.

Another error from the visitors handed the Roosters a full set on the Magpies line, an opportunity which they converted into points through backrower Riley Meyn, who stormed over after a short ball from halfback Joseph Taipairi. The try was converted by Paulo to make it 16-6, 22 minutes into the match.

An error from the resulting kick-off by the hosts gifted the Magpies a way back into the contest as hooker James Valevatu scurried over from dummy half in the resulting set. Wakeham converted the try to cut the deficit to four.

With 12 minutes remaining in the half, the Roosters produced a blistering play on their left edge to extend their lead, with Ethan King accelerating through a hole in the Magpies defence before finding his centre Tyrell Neiufi who crossed for his fourth try of the season.

The back-and-forth nature of the match continued as the Magpies next came up with a trio of tries, the first through winger Jay Kirk after the visitors once again came up with possession of the ball straight from their own kick-off.

Minutes later, centre Tommy Talau palmed off his defender to cross and narrow the margin to two points with five minutes remaining in the first half.

Just three minutes before the break a spiralling pass from prop John Tuivati found centre Semisi Kioa who scored to complete a stunning Magpies turnaround heading into half time. Wakeham converted the try to make it 26-22 at the interval.

The Magpies momentum continued after the half time break as back rower Jack Boyling gobbled up a short ball from Wakeham to score in the 43rd minute. The try was converted to extend Western Suburbs’ lead to 10 points.

The Roosters hit back seven minutes later after a wonderful team try that was finished off by Meyn once more, who found the line following Dylan Napa’s basketball pass to make the scoreline 26-32.

The Red, White, and Blue were frustratingly pegged back again after Magpies centre Kioa weaselled his way over the line from dummy half to extend the visitors lead and to secure his double. Wakeham converted the try to make it 38-26 with 15 left to play.

Victory for the visitors was secured with five minutes to play when prop forward James Roumanous surged over from close range to notch the Magpies eighth try of the contest. Wakeham converted to extend the lead to 18 points.

The Roosters narrowed the margin two minutes from full time after a classy solo effort from winger Jade Anderson resulted in his seventh try of the season and the Roosters’ sixth of the match. Paulo converted the try to make the final score 44-32 in favour of the visitors.

The defeat was the highest scoring match of the NSW Cup season and sees the Sydney Roosters finish in at the bottom of the ladder despite many strong performances throughout the year.