Roosters too good for Raiders

Fulltime score: Round 12 Sydney Roosters 30 v Canberra Raiders 16

Match summary: The Sydney Roosters have proven too strong for the Canberra Raiders, coming away with 30-16 victory on the Central Coast tonight.

The Raiders were first to score through Lincoln Withers, Matthew Gafa's conversion putting the visitors 6-0 in front after seven minutes.

But the Roosters struck back with interest. A glut of possesssion, partly due to a mounting penalty count against the Raiders, saw the tri-colours run in three unanswered tries in 15 minutes with Joel Monaghan, Iosia Soliola and Richard Fa'aoso all getting four-pointers.

The Raiders scored late in the first half through fullback Marshall Chalk and at the break, the Roosters were 18-12 in front.

With tensions high, the match overflowed into the area of biff with Raiders' front rower Matt Adamson finding himself in the thick of it. Following a high tackle on Roosters' forward Michael Crocker, Adamson then threw the first punch before being placed on report and adding to the penalty count.

In the 52nd minute, Mick Crocker answered in the best way possible, scoring a try for the Roosters. Five minutes later, following a professional foul, Raiders' bench player Ben Cross was sin binned by referee Jason Robinson.

Raiders' fans were given a glimmer of hope when centre David Howell scored a well worked try, and with 15 minutes to go, the Roosters held a 24-16 lead.

But the Roosters were not to be denied, a try to full back Anthony Minichiello in the 71st minute putting the match beyond the Raiders' reach.

After the match, Raiders' coach Matthew Elliott was philosophical about the loss and refused to blame the referee.

"I've got to say, we gave the referee no choice," said Elliot.

"It (the penalty count) was fairly warranted.

"We struck a good quality side tonight."

[pic: Amos Roberts]

Scorers: SYDNEY ROOSTERS 30 Tries: Monaghan, Soliola, Faaoso, Crocker, Minichiello Goals: Fitzgibbon 3/4, Roberts 2/2 CANBERRA RAIDERS 16 Tries: Withers, Chalk, D Howell Goals: Gafa 2/3

Central Coast Stadium Referee: Jason Robinson Crowd: 16,253 Half time: Roosters 18-6

Live commentary: 0 min: A chilly and breezy night on the Central Coast. Players coming onto the field... kickoff!

5 min: Still 0-0 with Raiders having a little of better the possession.

7 min: TRY - Raiders, Lincoln Withers scores. Follows repeat sets to the Raiders. Conversion Matt Gafa. Raiders 6-0

15 min: TRY - Roosters, Winger Joel Monaghan scores. Conversion Craig Fitzgibbon. 6-all

20 min: TRY - Roosters. Centre Iosia Soliola scores. Conversion attempt from Fitzgibbon is unsuccessful. Roosters 10-6

26 min: TRY - Roosters. Richard Faaoso scores. Roosters now enjoying a large amount of possession with the Raiders only getting two of the last 10 sets. Conversion Fitzgibbon. Roosters 16-6

30 min: PENALTY GOAL - Roosters. Amos Roberts makes no mistake. Offside against Raiders' forward Kris Kahler. Fifth penalty for Roosters to the Raiders' two. Roosters 18-6

39 min: TRY - Raiders. A try right on half time to full back Marshall Chalk. A little controversial with a video ref seemingly calling it blind. Conversion Gafa. Roosters 18-12

HALF TIME SUMMARY: After a solid from the Raiders, the Roosters have dominated possession to run in three tries. The Raiders came back with a little more ball to even things up late in the half. For the Roosters, back rower Craig Fitzgibbon is topping the tackle count again while winger Amos Roberts is proving a handfull in attack. The Raiders were looking a little battle weary but came back, scoring on the stroke of half time, and are back in the match. Ian Hindmarsh probably the pick of the Raiders' forwards while full back Marshall Chalk is returning the ball well. Half time score: Roosters 18 - Raiders 6

Second half underway...

45 min: Still 18-12 to the Roosters. A couple of errors from both sides followed by some big defence with the Raiders now getting a repeat set.

50 min: BIFF - A little bit of feeling happening. Raiders' forward Matt Adamson throws the first punch so the Roosters get the penalty.

Ill-disciplined stuff from Raiders and penalties now favouring Roosters by 9-4.

52 min: TRY - Roosters. Michael Crocker scores. More Biff. Converted by Roberts. Roosters 24-12

57 min: SIN BIN - Raiders' bench player Ben Cross is sent off for 10 minutes.

63 min: TRY - Raiders. David Howell scores following a break from Marshall Chalk. Conversion unsuccessful. Roosters 24-16

71 min: TRY - Roosters. Full back Anthony Minichiello scores and the Roosters its all over red rover. Converted by Fitzgibbon. Roosters 30-16

FULL TIME: A sometimes firey game with the Ref battling to keep control at times. The Roosters deserving winners over a Raiders side who showed some grit at times, but were ultimately outclassed. For Easts, Adrian Morley laid the foundation with some barging runs including a big break in the first half. Craig Fitzgibbon also worked hard up front and was assisted well from the centres by Iosia Soliola. Meanwhile Anthony Minichiello and Amos Roberts were often dangerous in the backline. For the Raiders, they fought hard but have some issues. Discipline aside (penalties ended up 11-8 in favour of Roosters), the Raiders' attack was a tad predictable and this was easy pickings for the Roosters. Forward Alan Tongue topped the tackle count in a beaten pack, while full back Marshall Chalk tried his heart out in attack in an effort to inspire a comeback.

----------------------------------------- Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 - A Morley (Roosters) 2 - M Chalk (Raiders) 1 - C Fitzgibbon (Roosters) -----------------------------------------