Easy road to victory for the Roosters

One way traffic right from the whistle this afteroon saw the Roosters easily defeat the Raiders at Aussie stadium by 28-8.

In a very scrappy game the Roosters never looked troubled as the Raiders on many occasions looked lost in options for their attack. The damage was done by the break when the Roosters were sitting very comfortably at 22-0.

With 5 tries to 2 the Roosters were never going to lose the match however individual brilliance by Brad Drew late in the second half flattered the scoreline in a game the Raiders were never in.

Stand out performances from the experience of Finch, Fittler and Flannery certainly made the road to victory easy for the Roosters side.

Aussie Stadium Referee: Sean Hampstead Video Referee: Paul Simpkins. Touch Judges: Steve Chiddy, Shayne Hayne Scorers: ROOSTERS 28 Tries: Fittler, Flannery, Cross 2, Byrne Goals: Walker 4/5 RAIDERS 8 Tries: Bulgarelli, Robertson Goals: Schifcofske 0/2

By the clock: Fine conditions at Aussie Stadium as the Roosters chant echoes around the park

0 min: Kick off!

5th min: NEWS - A solid start by both sides as they settle into the game. The Raiders giving away a couple of soft penalties

10th min: TRY - Fittler for Roosters. The Raiders giving the Roosters great field position from another penalty. The video ref is used to determine whether Fittler or McLinden touch the ball first following a kick to the in goal from Finch. Fittler gets the call. Walker converts from near out in front as the ball hits the post and is over. Roosters 6-0

13th min: NEWS - Try disallowed to the Raiders when a great kick to the wing by McLinden is tapped back to Monaghan who would've scored however the video ref stated Finch was unable to make a tackle on Monaghan as he was obstructed by Smith. Roosters 6-0

19th min: NEWS - Smith (Raiders) held up in goal after a chip through comes off Morley's legs. The set of six goes wrong and Byrne comes away with the ball.

21st min: TRY - Flannery for Roosters,. In four moves the Roosters players have basically run 100 metres and scored. Soft defence by the Raiders and Flannery makes them pay. Walker converts. 12-0

30th min: NEWS - Both sides guilty of throwing away passes. End to end plays on the fifth tackle but not resulting in points on the board. Roosters lead 12-0

34th min: TRY - Cross for Roosters. Fittler on an offload from Minichiello gets through the gap and runs upfield. Cross involved twice in the movement is rewarded with the points. Walker from close to the sideline, curls it in nicely to add the 2 points. Roosters 18-0

39th min: TRY - Cross for Roosters. Choosing the fifth tackle option to run the ball, the Raiders defence come in from their mark and are made to pay as the Roosters run past them and Cross scores his 2nd of the day. Walker with an easier kick, misses. Roosters 22-0

HALFTIME: The game has turned into one way traffic. Roosters lead 22-0

HALFTIME STATS: Completion rate - Roosters 17/23, Raiders 17/19 Penalties - Roosters 5 - Raiders 3 Line Breaks - Roosters 4 - Raiders 0 Offloads - Roosters 5 - Raiders 9 Missed tackles - Roosters 5, Raiders 16 Possession - Roosters 56%, Raiders 44%

Second half underway..

45th min: NEWS - The Raiders trying to get back into the game. Fifth tackle option saw them lose 30 metres as they try to break through the scrambling defence of the Roosters

50th min: NEWS - Scrappy play since the break with errors creeping in. The Raiders attack looking lost at times. Roosters 22-0

55th min: TRY - Bulgarelli for Raiders. Unbelievable play where the Raiders had 3 sets of six close to their line and seemed to go backwards more than forward. Finally a Woolford kick has Bulgarelli in to score. Schifcofske from wide out misses the conversion. Roosters 22-4

63rd min: TRY - Byrne for Roosters. Another mistake by the Raiders and they'd made to pay. The Roosters had the numbers 40 metres out, a superb pass by Finch and Byrne is over to score. Walker adds the 2 points. Roosters 28-4

70th min: NEWS - The Raiders give a slight glimmer of hope to their fans as they start to put together some good attacking moves which unfortunately have not resulted in points

71st min: TRY - Robertson for Raiders. A mistake by the Roosters is set upon by Drew who makes a brilliant break and sets up Robertson at pace into the corner. Schifcofske with another tough kick, misses. Roosters 28-8

77th min: NEWS - The Roosters hot on attack in the last few minutes but the Raiders defence hold strong

FULLTIME: Not the best the Raiders have played, they seemed to struggle quite regularly throughout the match. Roosters win 28-8

FULLTIME STATS: Completion rate - Roosters 23/39, Raiders 35/42 Penalties - Roosters 8 - Raiders 5 Line Breaks - Roosters 9 - Raiders 1 Offloads - Roosters 14 - Raiders 28 Missed tackles - Roosters 12, Raiders 36 Tackles - Roosters 300, Raiders 325

----------------------------------------- Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 - C Flannery (Roosters) 2 - B Finch (Roosters) 1 - B Fittler (Roosters) -----------------------------------------