Roosters fightback to claim second spot

The Sydney Roosters have climbed to second on the NRL ladder after a 14-point fight back against the Parramatta Eels at Allianz Stadium, in front of 11,255.

It wasn't smooth sailing for the Roosters in the first half as they conceded 18 points. Tim Mannah was the unlikely first-try scorer at the 11th minute as the Eels made it 6-0.

James Maloney returned serve at the 16th minute as he finished off a quick left side play started by Michael Jennings and Daniel Tupou.

Semi Radradra and Corey Norman added to the points tally for the visiting Eels as they took an 18-4 lead into the half time break.

The tide turned in the second half for the Bondi boys as they hit back with 24 unanswered points. Mitchell Aubusson fired first at the 50th minute as he cleaned up a chip-kick off the boot of Mitchell Pearce.

Known for his fancy footwork, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck danced his way through the crumbling defence at the 54th minute to close the game to a two point margin, Eels 18-16.

After a surging 20 metre run, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves found himself across the white line as he powered through the Eels defence. The Roosters in front for the first time, 22-18 with 10 minutes on the clock.

Jake Friend rounded out the game after Parramatta's Bureta Faraimo failed to cover up a last tackle kick. The Roosters managed a fightback to claim a 10 point victory after a slow start to the game.

Next week the Roosters host the Brisbane Broncos in a top of the table clash on Saturday night at Allianz. Meanwhile it's off to Brookvale for Parramatta as they come up against the Sea Eagles on Sunday.

Match Details

Sydney Roosters 28 Parramatta Eels 18
Venue: Allianz Stadium
Crowd: 11255
Halftime Score: Sydney Roosters 4 Parramatta Eels 18

SYDNEY ROOSTERS (28)
Tries: James Maloney, Mitchell Aubusson, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Jake Friend
Conversions: James Maloney (3/4), Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (1/1)

PARRAMATTA EELS (18)
Tries: Tim Mannah, Semi Radradra, Corey Norman
Conversions: Luke Kelly (3/3)

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:

3 points - Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
2 points - Daniel Tupou
1 point - Semi Radradra

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary

Welcome to LeagueUnlimited's LIVE coverage from Allianz Stadium as the Sydney Roosters host the Parramatta Eels. The Roosters will be looking to cement their top 4 spot. While for the Eels, they hope to stay away from the wooden spoon. The teams are going through their final preparations, as we await kick off.

We are UNDERWAY as the teams are ready, Sydney Roosters kick off to get us started

2: Controlled sets early from both sides, getting a feeling of the game so far.

6: First penalty of the game against the Eels, too long in the ruck. Roosters attack 30m out. Chance here for the tri-colours,

7: UNFORCED ERROR SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves makes an unforced error.
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves comes up with a mistake as the Roosters run the ball, scrum packs for the Eels at their 10 metre line.

8: Penalty for the Eels now, too long in the tackle. Kelly kicks for touch, advancing them inside the Roosters 30 metre zone.

10: UNFORCED ERROR SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Mitchell Aubusson makes an unforced error.
Mitchell Aubusson jumps early to try and shut down the shifting play from the Eels but he can't get hands on the ball. Scrum packs for the Eels 10 metres away from the Roosters try line.

11: TRY PARRAMATTA EELS
Scored by Tim Mannah. Kick to come.
Tim Mannah cracks the Roosters defence with a solid run to claim a rare four-pointer in his career, just the 4th.

12: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PARRAMATTA EELS
Conversion attempt by Luke Kelly successful.
Luke Kelly adds the extras for the Eels from beside the uprights and it's a 6-0 lead for the visitors.

15: TRY SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Scored by James Maloney. Kick to come.
James Maloney finishes off a speedy play from the Roosters which started via a cut out pass from Michael Jennings. He linked with Daniel Tupou who bolted down the eastern sideline in what looked like a training run.

16: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Conversion attempt by James Maloney unsuccessful.
James Maloney fails to converts his own four-pointer, Eels remain leaders

20: Penalty to the Roosters, too long from Ryan Morgan in the tackle. Roosters kick for touch and come up with a full set at 40 metre line.

21: Penalty to Roosters… but it's immediately dropped. Eels come up with the ball.

22: Penalty to the Eels! James Maloney offside! Eels attacking 10 metres out from a quick tap

23: TRY PARRAMATTA EELS
Scored by Semi Radradra. Kick to come.
Semi Radradra bolts into an open right side defensive lapse as the Roosters can't shift to cover up. The Eels making use of the penalty to add more points on the board.

24: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PARRAMATTA EELS
Conversion attempt by Luke Kelly successful.
Luke Kelly strikes it straight as possible from the eastern sideline as he splits the uprights.

26: Scrum for the Roosters at the half way line, kick from Corey Norman is misguided.

27: VIDEO REFEREE for Sydney Roosters! NO TRY as Michael Jennings appears to have lost the ball in the tackle leading in

27: NO TRY! Michael Jennings is denied as Reece Robinson's tackle forces the mistake. 20 metre tap for the Eels as a result, knock on in goal

30: VIDEO REFEREE for the Parra Eels! Norman finishes off a great run from Ma'u

30: TRY PARRAMATTA EELS
Scored by Corey Norman. Kick to come.
Corey Norman gets the GREEN LIGHTS as the review of obstruction was cleared. The play started as Manu Ma'u surged through the Roosters defence and the hole opened for Norman to back up in support.

31: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PARRAMATTA EELS
Conversion attempt by Luke Kelly successful.
Luke Kelly makes it a 14 point lead with the conversion

31: Mistake from the Eels gives the Roosters a chance at the line 10 metres out

33: NO TRY ruled by the video referee as Daniel Tupou couldn't get a clean catch on a Mitchell Pearce chip kick. Scrum for the Eels at their 10 metre line

34: KNOCK ON! Peni Terepo spills it, followed by a penalty against the Eels. Roosters 10m out

35: Penalty to the Roosters, Eels working in the ruck too long. Roosters just 10m out

35: Scrum for the Eels at the 10 metre line, Maloney's pass could have been caught by the touch judge.

40: UNFORCED ERROR SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Blake Ferguson makes an unforced error.
Blake Ferguson comes with a mistake as he was tackled heavily by Semi Radradra

40: HALF TIME at Allianz Stadium sees a shock lead from the Eels as the Roosters are down 18-4.

40: Second half is UNDERWAY as the Eels lead, 18-4

43: Penalty to the Eels, too long in the ruck for the Roosters

44: UNFORCED ERROR PARRAMATTA EELS
Semi Radradra makes an unforced error.
Blake Ferguson comes up quickly on Semi and it's a mistake against the Eels, scrum packs for the Roosters.

46: UNFORCED ERROR PARRAMATTA EELS
Vai Toutai makes an unforced error.
KNOCK ON! Via Toutai fumbles the play of the ball and it's a scrum feed for the Roosters

47: Daniel Tupou is shown the sideline as the Roosters shift wide. Scrum Eels, leading 18-4

49: VIDEO REFEREE for the Roosters, looking at the contest from the Mitchell Pearce chip kick

50: TRY SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Scored by Mitchell Aubusson. Kick to come.
Mitchell Aubusson cleans up off a Mitchell Pearce chip kick was not defused by the Eels. JWH manages a long floating pass to an unmarked Aubusson.

51: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Conversion attempt by James Maloney successful.
James Maloney makes no mistake with the conversion attempt from the eastern sideline

52: Kane Evans busts open the Eels defence and charges 60 metres before he was caught. A penalty follows and Maloney takes a quick tap 10 metres out from the Eels line

53: Ryan Morgan gets a hand to a floating pass as the Roosters spread. Scrum packs on the back of a possible try for Semi.

54: TRY SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Scored by Roger Tuivasa-Sheck. Kick to come.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck dances his way through the Eels defence with a great side step. Eels can't cover up on the line as the fightback begins!

55: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Conversion attempt by James Maloney successful.
James Maloney slots the conversion and it's a 2 point ball game!

57: UNFORCED ERROR PARRAMATTA EELS
Semi Radradra makes an unforced error.
Semi looks to get a quick play of the ball but he fumbles. Scrum for the Roosters, 30 metres out from the Eels try line

59: 20 metre tap for the Eels, Daniel Tupou knocks on the Mitchell Pearce kick in goal.

61: Penalty to the Roosters, silly errors from the Eels

62: A terrible no-look ball and Semi Radradra cleans up. Roosters give up possession simply

62: Siosiua Taukeiaho has cleaned up Ryan Morgan, no penalty comes for a high tackle. Play continues with just 2 points between these sides.

67: UNFORCED ERROR SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Michael Jennings makes an unforced error.
Michael Jennings can't get hands on a wayward pass, it's a scrum for the Eels 15 metres short of half way.

67: Penalty to the Roosters, too slow in the ruck. Roosters attack 30m out

71: TRY SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Scored by Jared Waerea-Hargreaves. Kick to come.
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves stomps his way through the Eels defence with a surging 20 metre run. Roosters back in front.

72: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Conversion attempt by Jared Waerea-Hargreaves successful.
James Maloney slots the conversion from in front and it's a four point lead now for the tri-colours

73: Time off here with David Gower down with the trainer. Cleaned up by Napa

74: Penalty to the Eels, Roosters holding the leg in the play-the-ball. Eels up to half way

78: TRY SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Scored by Jake Friend. Kick to come.
Jake Friend darts into a hole after Bureta Faraimo drops the last tackle kick. Too simple for the hooker as he sails into the points

79: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Conversion attempt by James Maloney successful.
James Maloney slots the conversion from in front.

79: Short kick off from the Eels… it's a PENALTY for not going the 10 metres. Roosters start from a touch finder at the 30m line.

80: FULL TIME at Allianz Stadium sees the Roosters hit back to claim second position on the ladder, 28-18.