Roosters crush Knights

The Sydney Roosters have recorded their biggest ever win over the Newcastle Knights with a crushing 48-4 scoreline at Aussie Stadium.

Backing up from his origin comeback on Wednesday, Fittler could?ve been excused for being tired but the captain led the charge early on scoring the Roosters opening try.

Conceeding another try by Todd Byrne and trailing by 12 points after just ten minutes things went from bad to worse for Newcastle as George Carmont was sin binned for a professional foul and in the following set Fittler went over in the corner.

A Minichello try and Chris Walker penalty goal extended the Roosters lead to 22-0 at half time and had Newcastle staring down the barrel at a 4th straight loss.

The onslaught continued in the second half as Cross scored a double and Walker found his way across to end the contest by the 60th min.

The only shining light for the Knights came late in the match when Tahu went over for a consolation try but overall it was a night that Newcastle would rather forget.

Aussie Stadium Referee: Paul Simpkins Video Referee: Chris Ward Touch Judges: Pat Reynolds, Paul Kalina

Scorers: ROOSTERS 48 Tries: Fittler 2, Cross 2, Byrne, Minichiello, Walker, Webb Goals: Fitzgibbon 3/4, Walker 5/5 defeated KNIGHTS 4 Tries: Tahu Goals: Gidley 0/1

By the clock: 0 min: Kick-off!

2nd min: NEWS - The Roosters have been awarded the first penalty of the match putting them on attack 20 out from the Knights line.

4th min: NEWS - The Knights have survived early pressure with good defence on their own line against repeat sets from the Roosters.

7th min: TRY - Roosters. After nearly scoring out wide, the Roosters sent the ball to the other side of the field where Fittler scored off a simple run around. Fitzgibbon converts - Roosters 6-0.

10th min: TRY - Roosters. Going to the short side the Roosters exposed a big over lap and Todd Byrne finished off by bumping off O'Davis and planting the ball down in the corner. Fitzgibbon converts from the sideline - Roosters 12-0.

11th min: SIN BIN - George Carmont (Knights). The Knights winger has been sent to the bin for a professional foul.

14th min: TRY - Roosters. On the last tackle Finch went to the air, Crocker battered the ball back and Fittler picked it up and planted it down in the corner. Fitzgibbon fails to convert as his kick hits the upright - Roosters 16-0.

15th min: NEWS - It's been a very lethargic start from the Knights and now a man down they are in danger of being out of the contest by half time.

19th min: NEWS - A couple of penalties in the last couple of minutes have gone Newcastle's way helping them out as they wait for Carmont to return from the sin bin.

22nd min: NEWS - George Carmont is now back on the field for the Newcastle Knights.

28th min: TRY - Roosters. Late in the tackle count the Roosters sent the ball to the short side and Minichiello with absolutely no room to move managed to get around Carmont and score. Fitzgibbon converts from the sideline - Roosters 22-0.

30th min: NEWS - Craig Fitzgibbon has been taken from the field and gone up the tunnel to the dressing rooms after injuring his leg in an awkward tackle.

35th min: NEWS - The Knights have had to absorb a lot of pressure in the last couple of minutes as they just try to survive until half time.

40th min: PENALTY GOAL - Roosters. Chris Walker slots two points from 30 out on the stroke of half time.

40th min: HALF TIME - After a horror start from the Knights they've managed to not let the Roosters completely run away with the match but something special will be needed in the second half if they are to come away with a result. Half time score: Roosters 24 Knights 0.

HALF TIME STATS: Penalties: Roosters 6 Knights 4 Completions: Roosters 20/24 Knights 17/20 Hitups: Roosters 105 Knights 71 Tackles: Roosters 129 Knights 191 Mistackles: Roosters 9 Knights 20 Errors: Roosters 4 Knights 6

41st min: The second half is underway!

43rd min: TRY - Roosters. The Roosters had numbers out wide and Ryan Cross went between two defenders to score. Walker converts from out wide - Roosters 30-0.

48th min: NEWS - It hasn't become any easier for the Knights with Sydney continuing their intensity from the first half.

50th min: TRY - Roosters. Ryan Cross took an intercept and ran 70 metres to score his second try in several minutes. Walker converts - Roosters 36-0.

53rd min: NEWS - Debutant Sam Perrett has been helped from the field with a leg injury.

57th min: TRY - Roosters. Chris Walker scores off an inside ball from Brett Finch which is one of the Roosters pet plays. Walker converts his try - Roosters 42-0.

59th min: NEWS - Brad Fittler has been brought to the bench for the Roosters and will likely not return.

65th min: TRY - Knights. Finally the Knights work their way over the line. With an over lap on the right Tahu managed to push his way over the line. K.Gidley fails to convert - Roosters 42-4.

69th min: NEWS - The intensity of the match has really dropped off now as both teams go through the motions.

75th min: TRY - Roosters. Stuart Webb shrugged off a defender to plant the ball down under the posts. Walker converts - Roosters 48-4.

80th min: FULL TIME - After another dominant half of football the Roosters have embarrassed the Knights in one of their best displays of the season so far. Full time score - Roosters 48 Knights 4.

FULL TIME STATS: Penalties: Roosters 7 Knights 8 Completions: Roosters 34/44 Knights 31/39 Hitups: Roosters 196 Knights 151 Tackles: Roosters 271 Knights 347 Mistackles: Roosters 22 Knights 36 Errors: Roosters 10 Knights 13

----------------------------------------- Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 - B Fittler (Roosters) 2 - R Cross (Roosters) 1 - A Minichiello (Roosters) -----------------------------------------