Sydney Roosters won their fifth game in a row with a 32-18 win against North Queensland Cowboys at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday afternoon.
Celebrating James Tedesco in style were the Roosters in a game where all four wingers scored a four-pointer and the Sydney Roosters flexed their Premiership muscles once again against the second place Cowboys.
The Roosters came out full of vim and vigour in the second last game in their temporary home. Their defence didn't give the Cowboys any room to breathe and it helped create their first try through Joseph Suaalii in the corner for 4-0.
The tri-colours were fighting for to maintain their spot in the top eight and doubled their advantage through Matt Lodge. The mid-season signing charged over from an inside ball for a rare four-pointer.
North Queensland's first visit to the SCG wasn't a happy one. They completed the collection of all 16 sides playing at the historic ground and got themselves on the scoreboard late in the first half through Murray Taulagi after some Luciano Leilua magic.
Sydney Roosters took an eight point advantage into the break after we had the third wingers try of the contest. Veteran Daniel Tupou strolled past some feeble defence from quick hands and it was 14-6 at the break.
It was a simple move from the scrum which pushed the Roosters past a three score advantage. Gold Coast bound hooker Sam Verrills fooled everyone and sliced through to stretch the advantage to 20-6.
Needing a win to stay in the race for the Minor Premiership, Cowboys struck back. Reece Robson with a heads-up play for the wraparound to dive over close to the sticks and bring some life back to the game.
Jared Wearea-Hargreaves had a huge impact and his roar post try might have sent shockwaves through the competition. The enforcer steamed onto a short ball and no one was going to stop the Kiwi international slamming it down.
Verrills made it a double delight with his second to confirm the Roosters win. He tried to burrow over from close range and needed to be confirmed from the bunker to green light the four-pointer and the 32-12 lead.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow completed the winger first four late in the piece. The Cowboys flyer showed off his speed once again taking a lovely pass down the right sideline and touching down without much chase for 32-18.
That result moves the Roosters into seventh position ahead of the Broncos for now. It also basically confirms back-to-back Minor Premierships for the Penrith Panthers with the Cowboys a long shot to reel them in.