Roosters thrash
Cowboys

Round 21
Sydney Roosters 40 v North Queensland Cowboys 20
at Aussie Stadium
Referee: Gavin Badger

Match Summary:
The Sydney Roosters have defeated the North Queensland Cowboys 40-20 at Aussie Stadium this afternoon.

It was the Cowboys who were first out of the blocks and they looked to be cruising for the first half but the Roosters came out a different side in the second forty and put the Cowboys to the proverbial sword.

In the latter stages of the second half the Roosters were white hot and the Cowboys could do nothing to stop them and the loss for the Cowboys makes their chances of securing a top eight berth all the more difficult, especially considering the magnitude of the loss, which will put a dent in their for and against.

The Roosters still have a slim hope of making the finals but are more likely relishing the role of playing spoiler for the remainder of the 2006 season and today they played the role to perfection.

The only thing Roosters fans will be asking is where was this team hiding for the previous 20 weeks of the competition?

As for the Cowboys, their chances of making the top eight have just taken a big hit and without Jonathan Thurston, they look to be in serious strife and need to turn things around quickly if they are to challenge for the title in 2006.


Scorers:
Sydney Roosters: 40
Tries: Brett Finch, Iosia Soliola, David Shillington, Shaun Foley(2), Josh Lewis
Goals: Craig Fitzgibbon 7/7, Amos Roberts 1/1
North Queensland Cowboys: 20
Tries: Matt Sing, Ashley Graham, Mark Henry(2)
Goals: Josh Hannay 2/4

By the Clock:


1 min: NEWS We are underway at Aussie Stadium!

2 min: TRY North Queensland Cowboys
The Cowboys are out of the blocks nice and early with Mark Henry scoring the opening try.
Cowboys 4-0

15 min: NEWS Still no change in the score.

16 min: TRY North Queensland Cowboys
Sing crosses for the Cowboys and the signs are ominous for the Chooks. They need to lift their game if they want to get back into this match. Conversion successful.
Cowboys 10-0

26 min: TRY North Queensland Cowboys
Ashley Graham crosses for the third Cowboys try and Roosters don't even look interested at the moment. This could be the catalyst for the Cowboys to reignite their season. Conversion successful.
Cowboys 16-0

35 min: NEWS No change to the score but the Cowboys would be happy to go to the break with a comfortable 16 point lead over the hapless Roosters.

38 min: TRY Sydney Roosters
The Roosters are on the board just before the break through Shaun Foley. There's a pulse at least so there's still a chance for the Roosters.
Cowboys 16-6

41 min: NEWS We are underway in the second half!

44 min: TRY Sydney Roosters
The Roosters are back in the hunt with a great start to the second half. Soliola was the try scorer and now the Cowboys will have to lift their game to keep the Rooster from taking the lead. Conversion successful.
Cowboys 16-12

49 min: TRY Sydney Roosters
The Roosters hit the lead for the first time in the match and are looking very impressive at the moment. David Shillington was the scorer. Conversion successful.
Roosters 18-16

53 min: PENALTY GOAL Sydney Roosters
The Roosters extend the lead through a penalty goal to Craig Fitzgibbon.
Roosters 20-16

56 min: PENALTY GOAL Sydney Roosters
The Roosters move out to a six point lead through another penalty goal to Craig Fitzgibbon. The Cowboys need to pull their finger out if they are going to win this one.
Roosters 22-16

63 min: TRY Sydney Roosters
The Roosters are turning the screws on the Cowboys now with Amos Roberts scoring to give the Roosters a twelve point lead with just over fifteen minutes remaining.
Roosters 28-16

63 min: TRY Sydney Roosters
Josh Lewis has extended the Roosters lead to twelve points with just over fifteen minutes remaining. Long way back for the Cowboys now. Conversion successful.
Roosters 34-16

67 min: TRY Sydney Roosters
It's all over now with Brett Finch rubbing salt into the wounds for the Cowboys, whose top eight aspirations just took a major dent. Conversion successful.
Roosters 34-16

71 min: TRY Sydney Roosters
The Roosters are piling it on in quick time and it may be the gliimer of a finals berth has them pumped up for their remaining five matches. Conversion successful.
Roosters 40-16

80 min: TRY North Queensland Cowboys
The Cowboys get a consolation try but they wil be hurting right about now. With no Thurston for a few more weeks, they could very well miss the top eight for the first time since 2003.
Roosters 40-20
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Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 - Craig Fitzgibbon
2 - Brett Finch
1 - Shaun Foley
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