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32 hours ago | LeagueUnlimited Team
The Sydney Roosters have pulled off one of the biggest Rugby League upsets in recent times as they came from 16-0 down to snatch a 22-16 victory over the Brisbane Broncos to book their spot at the NRLW Grand Final.
Things didn't start well for the tricolours as an early error put the Broncos into good attacking position and even though it took a couple of minutes, the Broncos put their dominance onto the scoreboard as Amber Hall was able to get her way over the line.
It was a rolling disaster for the Roosters as Julia Robinson scored a try on her return after the Broncos took advantage of an overlap on the left and scored out wide. Lauren Brown's conversion from out wide was a beauty and she pushed the lead to 10-0.
Things were getting bleaker for the Roosters as Olivia Kernick was given 10 minutes in the sin bin by referee Belinda Sharpe for a professional foul and the Broncos took advantage of the overlap when Millie Boyle was impossible to stop from close range after Chelsea Lenarduzzi created the space with a good run and offload.
Finally getting some possession, the Roosters started to create some momentum and despite their first attacking ending with an error, the Tricolours found space out on the left when Raecene McGregor got a good offload out to Isabelle Kelly who scored.
The Roosters well and truly got the momentum turned in their favour and they added a second try shortly before halftime when Corban Baxter was able to get Leianne Tufuga space on the outside after a beautiful cut out pass. Temara's conversion pushed the scores back to a converted try at the break.
Things didn't start perfectly for the Roosters in the second half with poor kicking decisions and errors costing the Roosters good field position but thankfully it didn't hurt them too much. The Roosters were able to score with fifteen minutes remaining although it came with a touch of confusion when Keilee Joseph was awarded a try on field and it seemed to have been confirmed by the bunker until referee Belinda Sharpe was asked to refer it up. The bunker ended up confirming the try after a few more replays leaving everybody confused but the subsequent conversion was good and scores were level.
Momentum was well and truly with the Roosters and Jocelyn Kelleher took advantage as she saw space out of dummy half and she got over to score and following the conversion the Roosters held an unlikely 22-16 lead.
The Roosters had ten minutes left to defend solidly and although they weren't perfect in their gameplay, they did enough to hold off a Broncos side who seemed to struggle and were devoid of ideas in the final 10-minute period and the Roosters held on.
After sneaking into the finals miraculously, the Roosters will be confident they can go onto win the big one following their win over the Broncos as they take on the Dragons.
Brisbane Broncos 16 - Sydney Roosters 22
Venue: Leichhardt Oval, Lilyfield / Wanngal
Crowd: 0
Halftime Score: Brisbane Broncos 16 Sydney Roosters 10
LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:
3 points - Isabelle Kelly
2 points - Millie Boyle
1 points - Jocelyn Kelleher
BRISBANE BRONCOS (16)
Tries: Amber Hall, Julia Robinson, Millie Boyle
Field Goals:
Two Point Field Goals:
Conversions: Lauren Brown (2/3)
Penalty Goals:
SYDNEY ROOSTERS (22)
Tries: Isabelle Kelly, Leianne Tufuga, Keilee Joseph, Jocelyn Kelleher
Field Goals:
Two Point Field Goals:
Conversions: Hannah Southwell (0/1), Zahara Temara (3/3)
Penalty Goals: