Thriller at Aussie Stadium for ANZAC Day

For such a low scoring game, the huge crowd of 26,246 at Aussie Stadium certainly had their money's worth as the Roosters narrowly defeated the Dragons by 11-8 in the traditional ANZAC Day clash between the two sides.

A tryless first half did not mean the game was not full of excitement. Two sides determined not to let the other score and two sides intent on winning the game certainly had the game action packed from start to finish.

With just a half time score of 2-0 to the Roosters, the second half was bound to see either one team or the other break free. To the credit of both sides, this didn't happen as the play went from end to end with some brilliant defence and attacking on show for the vocal crowd.

A try to both sides in the end, with just a field goal and a penalty the only difference in what was a very even and entertaining top class game.

Aussie Stadium Crowd: 26,246 Referee: Stephen Clark Video Referee: Chris Ward. Touch Judges: Paul Kalina, Steve Chiddy

Scorers: DRAGONS 8 Tries: Simmonds Goals: Head 2/2 defeated by ROOSTERS 11 Tries: Fittler Goals: Walker 1/1, Crocker 2/3, Finch 1/1 (F/G)

By the clock: Players backing up from the ANZAC test against the Kiwis on Friday night. Good crowd at Aussie Stadium today as the last post sounds for soldiers who have fallen.

0 min: Steven Clark signals time on

5th min: NEWS - The Roosters hot on attack, Fittler puts a little chip through which looks to have gone too far. Cross in mid air taps the ball back into the hands of Catic who touches the ball down. Video ref calls for a penalty, ruling Catic was offside. No score yet in the game

10th min: NEWS - So far the kicking game from both sides has been impressive. Very even match with both sides not giving anything in defence

12th min: NEWS - A high shot on Thompson (Dragons) by Cussack is picked up by the video ref after being left by the officials on the field, and a penalty given to the Dragons. Thompson back into the game. Still no score in this close and entertaining match

15th min: NEWS - Crocker (Roosters) off the field injured, meaning a reshuffle in the Roosters pack. The Dragons guilty of ill discipline and marched 10 metres for back chatting to ref Clark after a penalty for a highish shot on Morley. Things are hotting up

19th min: NEWS - The Dragons on attack put up a long shot out wide on the fifth tackle, only to have Cross intercept and take off. Cooper managed to mow him down 40 metres down the track and their defence held enough to break down the play. Possession very even in this scoreless match

25th min: PENALTY GOAL - Walker for Roosters. Thompson penalised for holding down in the tackle, within easy kicking distance for the Roosters. The deadlock finally broken. Roosters 2-0

31st min: NEWS - From the scrum on the Roosters 30 metre mark, Gasnier (Dragons) sucks in the opposition with the dummy runner and has open space in front of him all the way to the tryline. The video ref rules no try due to obstruction, a penalty to the Roosters which Crocker misses. A lot of unhappy people at Aussie Stadium. Roosters hold onto their 2-0 lead

35th min: NEWS - Outstanding defence by both sides in this low scoring match. A thrilling match to watch with end to end plays

38th min: NEWS - Finch (Roosters) bombs a certain try after Ricketson hesitates just enough in his passing to wrong foot the defence. Finch gets through 2 tackles close to the line but his pass to the wing is above the heads of everyone. Roosters 2-0

HALF TIME: A tryless first half but excitement for the full forty minutes. Roosters hold the lead, 2-0

Kick off in the second half of this wonderful match in front of an awesome crowd

43rd min: Catic (Roosters) on the bench nursing a foot injury

44th min: TRY - Simmonds for Dragons. A pass to Flannery goes wrong on the Roosters 30 metres mark. The bounce favours Simmonds and he's flying to the tryline. Head adds the extra 2 points. Dragons 6-2

46th min: NEWS - The game's starting to open up. Thompson offloads brilliantly and it looks as though the Dragons are in. Once again the defence of the Roosters holds true

49th min: NEWS - Jason Cayless(Roosters) off the field with a knee injury after coming back for the first time after 5 weeks on the sideline, very disappointing for him

50th min: PENALTY GOAL - Head for Dragons. From 35 metres out, Head has no trouble putting the lead for the Dragons out just that little bit further. Dragons 8-2

55th min: NEWS - This game has everything. The attack, the defence. Both sides playing great footy. The game could go either way and both teams know it. Dragons hold the lead, 8-2

61st min: TRY - Fittler for Roosters. Forty metres out from the Roosters line, Fittler busts through two Dragons defender then puts the step on Hornby to score under the posts. Crocker converts the easy one. 8 all

66th min: NEWS - The Roosters have stepped up a gear along with the crowd. A huge bomb by Finch is missed by all close to the Roosters line. Timmins makes a great 'come from behind' tackle. Roosters player penalised for passing off the ground

67th min: NEWS - Blacklock (Dragons) close to scoring, however the great high kick to his wing is just out of his reach. Down the other end of the field we go. Still locked up at 8 a piece

70th min: NEWS - Head (Dragons) takes a shot at a field goal and misses

70th min: FIELD GOAL - Finch for Roosters. Quick plays get the ball down towards the Roosters line. Finch takes the shot and nails it. Roosters 9-8

72nd min: PENALTY GOAL - Crocker for Roosters. Another penalty awarded to the Roosters, this time right out in front, 36 metres out. Crocker makes no mistake. Roosters 11-8

76th min: NEWS - Try as they may the Dragons can't break through the tight Roosters defence. The crowd is egging on both sides. An exciting finish coming up. Roosters 11-8

FULL TIME: A terrific game for ANZAC Day from two top sides. Low scoring, but what an excellent entertaining game to watch. Roosters hold on to win 11-8

----------------------------------------- Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 - A Morley (Roosters) 2 - L Thompson (Dragons) 1 - B Fittler (Roosters) -----------------------------------------