3 minute read
The Sydney Roosters have opened their NRLW season with back-to-back victories after claiming a comprehensive 22-12 win over the Warriors.
The Sydney Roosters have booked their spot in the NRLW grand final after against Brisbane, cruising to a comprehensive 22-12 victory over the Warriors.
The Roosters worked their way to a two-try lead at halftime on Saturday before continuing their dominance in the second half to claim their second straight win of the three-round season.
Halfback Zahara Tamara was arguably best on ground, highlighted by her entry for try-of-the-season when she beat four defenders on her way to a 50-metre individual effort in the second half.
"She doesn't say a lot, but on the field she does. She's a really good organiser, and she doesn't seem to get flustered," Roosters coach Jamie Feeney said of Tamara, who also nailed three goals.
"Today she controlled it really well, kicked really well, and controlled the speed of the game like all good halves should."
With one game left in the round-robin format, Roosters centre Bobbi Law sealed a likely passage to the decider on October 25 with their fourth four-pointer of the afternoon.
Warriors pair Kirra Dibb and Evania Pelite, who raced 70 metres around high-profile signing Charlotte Caslick for a solo try, added some respectability to the scoreline, but by then the damage was done.
The Brad Donald-coached side, which was only put together a week before the season due to COVID-19 restrictions, have now dropped both their games and will be relying on other results to stay in finals contention.
There was plenty of anticipation around Caslick switching to fullback, but the 2016 gold medallist was outshone by her in-form teammates in the frontline.
Lock Hannah Southwell was again a menace in defence, while second-rower Kennedy Cherrington and hooker Quincy Dodd also when injected off the bench into the contest at Bankwest Stadium.
Caslick came from the field midway through the second period, minutes after she was hit awkwardly in a tackle by Warriors five-eighth Dib while bravely fielding a kick close to her line.
However she allayed any health concerns by returning for the final three minutes of the game, finishing with 92 metres, four tackle busts and two offloads in another strong showing.
The Warriors went toe-to-toe with their fancied counterparts for the opening 15 minutes before Yasmin Meakes powered her way over rugby sevens convert Ellia Green to draw first blood.
The Roosters were on the front foot for the rest of the half, with Dodd continuing her impressive early-season form with a signature try from close range to claim a 12-0 lead at the break.
"It's been a whirlwind four weeks to pull this all together, and they didn't do themselves justice with the performance they put in," Donald said post-game.
"It's really hard to put together a squad off 22 that haven't played together before."
