Temara field goal keeps Roosters finals hopes alive

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Parramatta Eels v Sydney Roosters

The Sydney Roosters have kept their NRLW finals hopes alive thanks to Zahara Temara's match-winning field goal helping them to a 19-18 victory over the Parramatta Eels in Newcastle.

A quick start for the Roosters got the game underway when Brydie Parker was able to cross after Raecene McGregor's kick couldn't have bounced any more perfect for the Roosters and Parker was able to score untouched.

A second try inside ten minutes stunned the Eels when Mya Hill-Moana had too much strength from close range to get over under the posts and after Temara's second conversion of the afternoon, the Roosters lead 12-0.

Botille Vette-Welsh starred last week and the danger that she brings was on show again as the Roosters were forced to put extra defenders on the Eels fullback and this meant that there was an overlap for the Eels and Vette-Welsh was able to find Abbi Church who scored out wide.

The Roosters went into half-time leading 12-6 after Maddie Studdon looked to narrow the margin to 4 points after taking a penalty goal attempt that fell short and the scores didn't change.

Isabelle Kelly was denied twice inside the first ten minutes of the second half with once the officials ruling that Kelly had lost the ball and then on the second attempt was held up over the line.

The luck was with the Roosters early, but this time around it was the Eels who got the luck when a pass from Maddie Studdon went to nobody but bounced perfectly for intended target Christian Pio who was able to get her way over the line. Studdon converted from close range to level the scores.

A beautiful run from Tiana Penitani put the Eels in front just a matter of minutes later after coming back in on the angle and a beautifully timed Maddie Studdon found Penitani to score and after the conversion, the Eels lead 18-12.

It was a short-lived lead though as the Roosters who only a matter of minutes before had a third Isabelle Kelly effort denied by the bunker, were able to score again under the posts when Sarah Togatuki got over the line fighting her way to get the ball down. Zahara Temara levelled the scores following the conversion.

Both Temara and Studdon had attempts to put their side in front, Temara hit the post with a penalty goal attempt from 30m out and in front, whilst Studdon took two field-goal attempts that both fell short of the posts.

The decider though came from Temara who was able to use the breeze behind her back to strike her field goal attempt perfectly and put the Roosters up by 1 point which sealed the victory.

Next weekend, the Roosters have a tough task up against potential competition leaders the St George Illawarra Dragons, whilst the Eels also don't have things easy as they head to Brisbane to take on the Broncos.