The Sydney Roosters spent much of their game against the Warriors looking either out of sync, out of form or ill-disciplined, yet despite all this, they produced just enough good footy to score a much needed 22-14 win at the SCG.
A brilliant break inside the Roosters half by Addin Fonua-Blake almost saw him score, but the bottlaces tackle by James Tedesco denied him. Tedesco though was penalised for holding on too long and Reece Walsh potted a penalty goal to open the scoring in the 10th minute.
Just 5 minutes later and the Warriors snared the first try of the game when Adam Pompey received the ball early on the left, was allowed to run to the line where he waited until he drew the out-of-position Joseph Suaalii before passing to Edward Kosi who scored untouched. Walsh nailed the sideline conversion.
It took the Roosters 29 minutes to get on the board courtesy of some quality catch-and-passing on the left side which eventually gave Daniel Tupou a clear run to the line and he scored easily in the corner. Sam Walker converted superbly from touch. At halftime the Warriors lead 8-6.
The second half started badly for the Warriors, with Walsh's kick-off going dead on the full. The Roosters received back-to-back penalties and Sam Walker levelled the scores with a penalty goal.
Reece Walsh very nearly scored a try in the 49th minute, which seemed to spark the Roosters into action. Kevin Naiqama scored a try in the 53rd minute, which Walker converted and 7 minutes later, Walker got the ball on the short side, stepped, spun and then slammed the ball down for a try while being held upright in a tackle. He then converted his own try to extend the Roosters lead to 20-8.
The Warriors hit back almost immediately when Walsh made a break through the middle and, amongst traffic, got a miraculous cross-kick across to the right wing and it hit Dallin Watene-Zelezniak perfectly on the chest. He then stepped the defender and scored in the corner. Walsh converted from the sideline.
A Sam Walker penalty goal in the 71st minute gave the Roosters an unassailable 8 point lead, which they maintained til fulltime.