Roosters too good for Knights in second half thrashing

Fulltime score: Round 9 Sydney Roosters 32 v Newcastle Knights 2 Match summary: The Roosters have run out 32-2 winners over the Knights at Aussie Stadium this afternoon in front of a small crowd of 8,921.

The Roosters opened the scoring in the 8th minute with a try to Amos Roberts and the warning signs looked ominous for the Knights. But to their credit they turned things around for the rest of the first half to put in a spirited display and outplay their more fancied rivals. Kurt Gidley scored the visitor's only points though a penalty goal and at half time, the Knights trailed 4-2 at the break.

Ricky Stuart must have said something at the halftime break because the Roosters came out breathing fire in the second half to completely outplay th Knights, running in five unanswered tries to hand the Knights another defeat in what looks like being a very long season for them.

Amos Roberts was the pick for the Roosters scoring two ties and causing plenty of trouble for the defence whilst Anthony Minichiello and Craig Fitzgibbon had solid games.

Scorers: Roosters 32 Tries: Roberts 2, Minichello, Flannery, Webb 2 Goals Roberts 0/1, Fitzgibbon 4/5 KNIGHTS 2 Tries: Goals: K Gidley 1/1

Aussie Stadium Referee: Steve Lyons

Live commentary: Great weather for football today at Aussie Stadium but it's a small crowd as both teams come into the match in poor form.

1st min: Play underway.

8th Min: TRY - Roosters Amos Roberts scores for the Roosters Conversion unsuccessful from Roberts Roosters 4-0

16th Min: PENALTY GOAL - Knights Kurt Gidley kicks the goal. Roosters 4-2

32 Min: NEWS . Stii 4-2 tight defence from both sides

Halftime.... Good defence from both sides as they find it hard to get the ball over the tryline. The Knights have slightly had the majority of possession in a tight match and have been the better of the two sides so far.

41st Mn: Second half underway.

46th Min: TRY - Roosters Anthony Minichello scores Conversion successful from Fitzgibbon Roosters 10-2

51st Min: NEWS: Off to the video ref possible try for the Roosters

51st Min: TRY - Roosters Amos Roberts picks up a double Conversion successful from Fitzgibbon Roosters 16-2

55th Min: NEWS Roosters are starting to stamp their authority on this match with quality possession with the Knights starting to struggle in defence. Danny Buderus sent to the Sin Bin for backchatting.

58th Min: TRY - Roosters Try to Chris Flannery Conversion successful from Fitzgibbon Roosters 22-2

65th Min: Danny Buderus back on the field to even up the numbers.

74th Min: TRY - Roosters Try to Stuart Webb Conversion unsuccessful from Fitzgibbon Roosters 26-2

79th Min: TRY - Roosters Stuart Webb scores again right on fulltime. Conversion successful from Fitzgibbon Roosters 32-2

Fulltime...

----------------------------------------- Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 - A Roberts (Roosters) 2 - A Minichiello (Roosters) 1 - C Fitzgibbon (Roosters) -----------------------------------------