Ruthless Roosters End Regular Season in Style

The hosts came charging out of the blocks, scoring in the second minute thorough some blistering heads up play by five-eighth Braith Alexander, who showed lightning speed to secure a four-pointer and lay down an early marker. Vaiala Tamati converted to give the Roosters a 6-0 lead.

The visitors hit back moments later, building pressure on the Roosters defence by forcing a goal-line dropout, which they capitalised on through an acrobatic effort in the corner by winger Joseph Delle to make it 6-4 just eight minutes in.

Despite a spell of intense pressure from the Tigers, it was Easts who thought they had extended their advantage when halfback Jake Elliot’s pinpoint bomb was caught by Watisoni Waqanisaravi, who crossed the line only for the referee to penalise the hosts for obstruction.

The Red, White, and Blue weren’t to be denied a second time however, as some individual brilliance close to the side-line from Tamati allowed him to find his hooker Christian Abal back on the inside for the Roosters second try of the match. Tamati converted the try to extend the Roosters lead to eight points, 25 minutes into the contest.

Wests hit back in the three minutes later through Delle again, who latched onto a short ball after slick right edge move that caught the Roosters defence napping and bought the Tigers to within four points at 12-8, the scoreline staying that way as the two sides headed into half time.

The Tigers started the second half on the front foot, forcing their way over under the posts just three minutes after the break through prop Herman Tofaeono. The try was converted by Michael Tannous to give the Tigers their first lead of the game.

Easts responded instantly with a slick passing move ending in Sione Vaenuku powering towards the line, beating several defenders to cross next to the posts and restore the host’s advantage. The try was converted by Tamati to make the scoreline 18-14.

The Roosters continued their search for points, breaking down the Tigers right edge again where a powerful run from backrower Max McCathie was finished off by Abal in support, for the hooker’s second try of the game. Tamati continued his perfect afternoon with the boot, converting to make it 24-14 with 20 minutes to play.

Points continued to come for the Roosters, this time through prop Salesi Foketi who latched onto a deft short ball from his halfback Elliot, beating the fullback to score under the posts. Tamati converted to extend Easts’s lead to 16.

The onslaught continued five minutes later when winger Tavita Henare-Schuster crossed for the hosts sixth try of the match, and fourth of the half.

Rapid ball movement from Easts ending with a silky looping pass from Alexander saw the Tricolours winger in space, and able to beat the fullback to make the final score 34-14 as the game reached its end.

With the Minor Premiership secured, the Roosters will have a week off before commencing their finals run.