Strong Rooster defence tames hapless Tigers

In a game that promised so much, only one team delivered today with the Roosters smothering the Tigers 24-12 at the SFS, a scoreline flattered the Tigers as the hosts mailed them in defence in front of 20,479 fans.

After disappointing starts against the Bulldogs and Sea Eagles, the Roosters were the first to get on the board at the Sydney Football Stadium this afternoon after Shaun Kenny Dowall's determination was too much for the Tigers, planting the ball after dodging several attempted tackles.

Poor discipline from the Tigers and determined defence from the Roosters and Kennedy was over in the 13th minute, this one was converted by Anasta. Roosters continued to dominate field position but poor last tackle options prohibited them from converting them into points until the 33rd minute with a penalty goal to give Roosters a 12 point lead heading into half time.

Roosters came out with some problems with the ball in hand, preferring their time without the ball, handing over every chance they got, Tigers were able to get points out of this in the 45th minute with a try to Aaron Woods, Marshall converted to get the Tigers within six.  Todd Carney proved he was close to his best, too good for Tigers defenders as well as referee Archer who he steamrolled in the motion.

Roosters hit back in the 51st minute with a try to Martin Kennedy who after bashing the Tigers in defence carved them up in attack too, Anasta's conversion brought the 12 point buffer back between them.  After the Kennedy try Roosters showed an unwillingness to hold onto the ball only wanting to show off their defence.

To prove just how great their defence was doing Roosters defended a player down in the last ten after Minichiello was sin binned for a professional foul in the 71st minute.  Their defence wasn't done bashing the Tigers and the attack still had to put a final nail in, which they did in the 78th minute with a try to Carney which was converted by Anasta to give the home side a 24 - 12 victory.

Match Details
Sydney Roosters 24 defeated Wests Tigers 6
National Rugby League - Round 4 - Sunday April 3, 2011 3:00pm
Venue: Sydney Football Stadium
Referee: Tony Archer and Alan Shortall
Video Referee: Tim Mander
Touch Judges: Jeff Younis and Grant Atkins
Crowd: 20,479
Halftime: Sydney Roosters 12 Wests Tigers 0

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Martin Kennedy (1 Try)
2 Points - Shaun Kenny-Dowall (1 Try)
1 Point - Todd Carney  (1 Try)

SYDNEY ROOSTERS (24)
Tries: Todd Carney, Anthony Minichiello, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Martin Kennedy
Conversions: Braith Anasta (3/4)
Penalty Goals: Braith Anasta (1/1), Mitchell Pearce (0/1)

WESTS TIGERS (6)
Tries: Aaron Woods
Conversions: Benji Marshall (1/1)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary Welcome to the SFS where the Roosters will fancy their chances against an understrength Tigers. However, Wests do have Bryce Gibbs returning from a layoff.
TEAM NEWS: For the Roosters Conn and Arona are in for Ryles and Nuasala with Symonds and Hargreaves movng from the bench onto the starting 13.
Tigers are the named 1 to 17.
A 22 all draw in the Toyota Cup game between these two sides.
1 min: Tigers kick off to get the game underway.
2 min: A solid first set from the Roosters finishing on the tigers 40. However a poor kick from Carney goes straight down the McKinnon's throat.
VIDEO REFEREE for a possible Tigers TRY.
3 min: NO TRY. Held up.
5 min: TRY
TRY to the Roosters. Some nice footwork from Shaun Kenny-Dowall after some good team work from the Roosters gets the chooks their first try of the game. Briath Anasta misses the conversion.
Sydney Roosters 4-0
7 min: Roosters cough up the ball on their 30 metre line giving tigers some good field position.
9 min: Marshall puts too much weight on his grubber kick and the ball goes dead. Roosters 20 metre tap.
11 min: Attempted 40/20 from Moltzen on the forth goes dead and another 20 metre tap for the Roosters.
12 min: PENALTY to the Roosters.  Archer rules a steal.
13 min: TRY
TRY number two to the Roosters. Martin Kennedy barges over Tigers defenders to score. Braith Anasta converts.
Sydney Roosters 10-0
15 min: Some unimaginative last tackle options from the Roosters putting it down Tiger's throats.
16 min: Roosters conced back to back penalties to put Tigers on the attack.
17 min: A good tackle from Aubusson and Tigers butcher a good opportunity.
23 min: Neither team offering much in attack but Roosters really dominating in defence.
28 min: VIDEO REFEREE for a possible Roosters TRY.
29 min: NO TRY. Symonds ruled to have knocked on.
30 min: Scrum to the Tigers on the Roosters 30 after Leilua fails to pull off an intercept.
31 min: PENALTY to the Tigers who really need to score here.
32 min: Poor kick by Moltzen goes straight to Minichiello, Roosters are off the hook.
35 min: PENALTY GOAL
PENALTY to the Roosters after Payton carries on with the tackle too long, they opt for the kick and from right in front Anasta kicks it easily.
Sydney Roosters 12-0
36 min: Utai knocks on cold about 20 out just asking Roosters to strike again before half time.
37 min: Play comes to nothing as Roosters turn it over.
38 min: Break from Minichiello, Roosters giving themselve a real attacking opportunity early.
39 min: Roosters knock on, refusing to complete their sets in these closing minutes of the first half.
40 min: The half time hooter refuses to blow, but time is finally called and the teams head back into the sheds.
41 min: There's the whistle and Braith Anasta gets the second half underway.
42 min: Roosters in their first attacking set and Kenny-Dowall makes a half break.
43 min: Incorrect play the ball from Masoe to give Tigers a scrum.
44 min: Wests Tigers attack not offering much, give Roosters a line drop out.
45 min: Roosters lose it to offer Tigers a good attacking opportunity early in this second 40.
46 min: TRY
TRY to the Tigers. Aaron Woods got himself on the outside of Anasta and goes in to score his first try in first grade. Marshall converts.
Sydney Roosters 12-6
47 min: Good set from the Tigers make it to the other end of the field and Roosters have to get it out from deep in their own territory.
48 min: Break from Carney, steam rolls referee Tony Archer.
49 min: Roosters hand it over on the last.
50 min: Tigers hand it over cheaply.
51 min: TRY
TRY to the Roosters. Leilua on the blindside off a break from Martin Kennedy gets it back on the inside to Minichiello who scores. Anasta nails the conversion.
Sydney Roosters 18-6
52 min: Bautiful take by McKinnon, getting them out of trouble.
53 min: PENALTY to the Tigers against Kennedy for a play the ball infringement.
54 min: Carney ruled to have played at a Marshall grubber giving Tigers a scrum 10 out.
55 min: Bryce Gibbs throws a silly pass which is fortunately for him knocked on by Kennedy. Another scrum to the Tigers this one 15 out.
56 min: Great defence from the Roosters to prevent the Tigers from scoring.
57 min: Forward pass from the Roosters, giving the Tigers another scrum feed about 15 out. Roosters look to be doing everything they can to show off their goal line defence.
58 min: Terrible attacking options used by the Tigers gift the ball back to the Roosters.
59 min: Deft little stab kick by Carney cleaned up well.
60 min: PENALTY to the Tigers, Leilua hands on the ball.
61 min: Wonderful defence from the Roosters not allowing the Tigers attack to do anything and a terrible kick from Farrah hands them a 20metre tap.
62 min: Interesting kick from Carney, lots of bounces before Utai finally picks it up.
63 min: Benji Marshall made a huge break in that set, but Tigers could not do much to finish it and Utai eventually knocks it on.
64 min: Keith Galloway puts a HUGE hit on Friend to force a knock on.
65 min: PENALTY against the Roosters for lifting.
66 min: Brillinat defence from the Roosters on their goal line. 67 min: Stab kick from Robbie Farrah goes back to Miller and gives the changeover. 68 min: Pearce kick just dribbles dead giving Tigers a 20 metre tap.
69 min: Average attack from the Tigers, Brown's kick does nothing before going out the sideline and giving Roosters a scrum 30 from their own line.
70 min: Roosters knock on ten out.
71 min: Professional foul from Minichiello earns him a sin binning, so Roosters must finish another game with only 12 players on the field.
72 min: Knock on called against the Tigers, Roosters scrum 10 out from their own line.
73 min: PENALTY to the Roosters, Ayshford and Daniela both put on report for a lifting tackle.
74 min: Justin Carney looked to score, but has a foot on the touchline.
75 min: Another dreadful kick from Farrah and another 20 metre tap for the Roosters.
76 min: PENALTY GOAL ATTEMPT
Mitchell Pearce with a field goal attempt, misses.
Sydney Roosters 18-6
77 min: Another bad kick from Farrah a grubber from the half way line, easy pick up for Kenny-Dowall.
79 min: TRY
TRY to the Roosters. Pearce back on the inside to Carney who is too fast for McKinnon and runs in to score. Conversion from Anasta successful.
Sydney Roosters 22-6
80 min: Knock on from the Roosters 20 out from their own line, but there is only 40 seconds left.
80 min: Marshall throws an intercept to Anasta.
80 min: The siren sounds and Roosters take the game 24 points to 6.